Chapter 68 Listen to My Explanation
Serena's eyes reddened at Alexander's words.
She shook her head with solemn conviction.
"Of course I feel guilty. Your marriage became like this because I came back. I want to help you, but I honestly don't know what I can do."
Alexander's expression was complicated.
"Do nothing. I'll solve the problems between my wife and me."
Serena obediently nodded.
Then she changed direction.
"Alexander, my brother and sister-in-law won't help us anymore. I spent six years abroad, and I don't have other friends in Saintville. I only hope that, for the sake of what we once meant to each other, if Ethan and I ever face something we truly can't survive alone, you'll still lend us a hand.
That's enough for me."
Alexander answered firmly.
"The promise I made you still stands."
Serena had received exactly the reassurance she wanted.
She didn't waste any more of his time.
"Thank you, Alexander. Your wife is very fortunate to have married you."
Alexander lowered his eyes.
If Elsa understood how fortunate she was, he thought bitterly, she wouldn't have turned their marriage into this.
When Alexander and Serena left the café, they unexpectedly encountered Elsa's parents.
All four stopped.
Serena quietly hooked her arm through Alexander's and leaned closer.
"Alexander, I'm scared."
"I'm here. They won't do anything to you."
Then he immediately removed her arm.
"Go home."
Alexander caught up to Margaret and Harold and reached for their shopping bags.
"Dad, Mom, I'll drive you."
Harold gave him a cold look.
"No."
The older couple held hands as they waited for the pedestrian light.
Alexander did not insist and did not explain.
Serena followed, seemingly worried.
"Alexander, did your wife's family misunderstand us again?"
A black luxury car stopped at the curb.
Eleanor and Violet got out and went directly toward Elsa's parents.
Eleanor lowered her usual pride.
"Since we happened to meet, please let me drive you home."
Margaret glanced back at Alexander and Serena.
"No, Mrs. Horton."
She and Harold crossed the road on foot.
Violet turned and saw Serena beside her brother.
Her face changed with fury.
"Mom, he's standing with that Whitmore woman right in front of Elsa's parents!"
Serena saw Eleanor and instinctively stepped back.
"A-Auntie..."
Eleanor slapped her.
Serena cried out and ducked behind Alexander.
Alexander moved in front of her.
"Mom, what are you doing?"
Eleanor's eyes were filled with disappointment.
"Teaching her how to behave."
Violet tried to pull Serena out from behind him.
"You little home-wrecker. Stop hiding!"
Alexander caught his sister's wrist and pushed her away.
Violet stamped her foot, almost crying.
"You betrayed Elsa for this woman, and now you're pushing me for her too? What did she do to your brain?"
Alexander's face darkened.
"Violet, stop making a scene."
Eleanor pulled her daughter back to her side.
She stared at Alexander.
"Let's see whether you'll stop recognizing your own mother for her too."
Alexander tried to shield Serena.
Violet threw herself between them to block him.
Eleanor said nothing more.
She simply slapped Serena again.
And again.
The sharp sounds drew pedestrians who stopped to watch.
Eleanor had always been gentle and dignified. Even when her own husband had cheated, she had never lowered herself enough to slap his mistress in public.
Today was different.
Today, she had no intention of sparing Serena.
Serena was completely powerless against her.
With Alexander and a crowd watching, she didn't dare fight back or curse. She could only dodge and beg.
When Eleanor finally grew tired, she released her.
Serena collapsed onto the pavement, shaking and crying with her arms over her head.
Eleanor pointed at her son.
"Do you know that six years ago this woman took a sixty-million check from your grandfather, dumped you, and left the country that same night?"
Alexander went completely still.
His eyes snapped toward Serena.
Seeing his reaction, Eleanor understood immediately.
He had never heard the recording from years ago.
Serena scrambled toward him on her knees.
"Alexander, that's not what happened. Listen to my explanation."
Alexander slowly recovered from the shock.
He suppressed whatever he was feeling and bent to help Serena stand.
"We'll talk somewhere else."
They were beside a busy intersection.
He would not allow tomorrow's headlines to carry a Horton family scandal.
Eleanor shook her head in disappointment and left with Violet.
Alexander put Serena into his car.
She barely had time to straighten her clothes before she began explaining through tears.
"Alexander, I did take the sixty million from your grandfather, but I didn't want it. He threatened my family's lives and forced me to accept it."
Alexander's face was terrifyingly cold.
"You've been home for months. Why have you never mentioned it?"
Guilt made Serena raise her voice.
"Because he is your family. Your most respected grandfather. How was I supposed to tell you something that would make you hate him?"
Alexander stared at her without speaking.
Panic grew inside Serena.
"You know how seriously I valued what we had. More than my own life. How could I ever reduce our feelings to money?"
Her gaze shifted.
"After your grandfather forced me abroad, a group of strangers robbed me. It was as if they already knew I had money. They found the check and took it."
She spoke quickly.
"If I'd really had sixty million, would I have ended up unable to afford medical treatment? Would I have come home desperate enough to ask you for help?"
She cried beautifully.
"I was young. I was terrified. I didn't even think to preserve evidence. I was stupid. That's why I suffered."
Alexander had been silent throughout.
Finally, he said, "Stop crying. I'll have the driver take you home."
He opened the door and got out.
Serena moved to follow him and explain more.
Alexander shut the door decisively.
Her hand rested on the handle, but she didn't open it.
Eleanor's attack would certainly make Alexander suspicious.
Serena knew how powerful his network was and how thoroughly he could investigate.
That was why she had prepared long ago.
The more suspicious he became, the deeper he would investigate.
And the deeper he investigated, the more guilty, ashamed, and protective of her he would become.
On the roadside, Alexander watched the car leave.
Then he made a call.
"Gavin. Investigate Serena's six years abroad. I want every detail."