Chapter 213: Implied

As they returned home, they spotted Elizabeth moving around in the courtyard. She seemed to be unaware of Jack's arrival, as he was sitting in the back of the car. Initially, she didn't pay any attention to Jack, and she was taken by surprise. When she saw Martina getting out of the car first, Elizabeth's expression turned sharp and sour. She thought Martina had returned alone and couldn't resist saying a few words. "You left and came back without even bothering to inform me. Do you think this is your home, huh? Well, guess what? There's no food left for you here. You'll be starving tonight." Elizabeth believed that such words would upset Martina. She felt better as long as Martina felt worse. Her motives were hard to fathom, and she couldn't understand why she felt this way. But what she didn't expect was that her actions had already been observed by Benjamin and Jack. Elizabeth believed that she had privately tormented Martina, but this assumption was far from the truth. Martina hid her anger, possibly due to Jack's kindness and Benjamin's unexpected actions this time. Above all, she didn't want to confront Elizabeth directly, as that would be too awkward. She looked at Elizabeth with an icy-cold expression, trying to avoid a face-to-face confrontation with her. "I think it's best not to say some things. You never know when words can backfire. Besides, I never asked you to prepare a special meal for me," Martina said. She considered her tone quite polite, and she even softened her voice to respect Elizabeth. She believed that if Elizabeth could change her words now, the situation would be resolved, and the unpleasant events that followed might not happen. However, Elizabeth wasn't buying it. It was as if she didn't even care about Martina and assumed she had returned to her previous weak and fearful state, which seemed to make her gleeful. Elizabeth even seemed more eager to torment Martina, and her words became increasingly irrational. "Now you're scared? What happened to your defiance when you used to challenge me in every possible way?" she taunted. "I'm telling you, you can't erase everything that happened before by showing some submission. You're a woman who doesn't belong in this family. Without my son, you're nothing more than ashes!" Martina didn't argue and replied, "Right, right, I'm definitely nothing. Are you happy now?" While saying this, she winked in Elizabeth's direction, trying to convey that Elizabeth should stop speaking. Martina could sense a strong chill in the air. But Elizabeth, incredibly, didn't back down and even asked, "Why do you keep blinking your eyes like that? Is there something wrong with your eyes?" Martina, "..." Martina had given enough signals, but Elizabeth simply wouldn't understand. Martina could only give up. By the time Elizabeth finally realized what was happening, two male figures had already appeared behind Martina. One was older, and the other was younger, and upon closer inspection, they seemed to share a subtle resemblance, with the younger one appearing more superior. The two stood on either side of Martina, exuding impatience and casting a cold gaze upon Elizabeth. Instantly, Elizabeth felt uncomfortable. It was then that Elizabeth understood why Martina had reacted that way earlier, but it was too late for any regrets. "It seems you have quite an issue with Martina?" Jack snorted, looking at Elizabeth with increasing displeasure. "I've known for a while that you're not pleased with her, but I didn't expect your relationship is that bad. Do we not have butlers or cookers in this house? If she returns at a time like this, wouldn't there even be a meal for her?" Jack wasn't the type to enjoy oppressing others, mainly because he was paying for butlers and cookers. That was the staff's responsibility. At a time like this, if Martina really came back, she couldn't even get a meal? Moreover, this was a deliberate attack from Elizabeth. How could Jack feel at ease? He hadn't slapped Elizabeth directly only because she was a woman. Elizabeth was so frightened that she almost knelt down. If it weren't for the butler behind her who promptly grabbed her arms, it might have turned into a tragedy. "Jack? Welcome back," Elizabeth's smile seemed more awkward than anything, almost on the verge of tears. "When did you return? How come I didn't hear a word about it?" She then cast some sharp glances at Martina, perhaps not expecting her to be so cunning, orchestrating this scheme against her in secret. But upon further thinking, Martina hadn't done anything wrong. She had been dropping hints continuously, and it was Elizabeth who failed to comprehend. Jack sneered impatiently at Elizabeth. "I had hoped for some change during my absence, but it appears you've only intensified your behavior. So, while I was away, you persisted in tormenting Martina, is that right?" Regardless, Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to confess. Admitting it would have painted her in the worst possible light and exposed her to severe consequences. With an embarrassed pat to her forehead, she said, "How could that be? Martina and I have been getting along quite well. We just had a minor disagreement a few days ago, which made me a bit uncomfortable. But in reality, we're fine. If you don't believe me, just ask Martina. I believe she will tell the truth. You must trust me. How could I do such a thing?" This was a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. What did she mean by "tell the truth"? Was she implying that if Martina presented a different version, it wouldn't be the truth? Jack didn't believe Elizabeth's story, no matter how beautifully it was presented. He was not buying it.