Chapter 164:
Elena, however, saw no need to explain anything to Malcolm. They weren’t close. Her voice was cold as she retorted, “That’s none of your concern.” Her attitude was extremely indifferent.
Bill’s eyes widened. This woman had guts—speaking to Malcolm like that? More shocking was the fact that Malcolm showed no sign of displeasure.
Indeed, Malcolm wasn’t offended in the slightest. Back when they negotiated their deal, Elena hadn’t shown him an ounce of deference. Besides, given Wesley’s interest in her, it was no surprise that she had a strong personality.
Today, Malcolm wore a pair of silver-framed glasses, the lenses effectively masking the amusement in his gaze. “I overstepped. My apologies.” Though he spoke of apologizing, his body language remained unchanged.
Just as Darren was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Bill said to Malcolm, “Mr. Johnson, you may not be aware, but their connection isn’t as simple as it seems—”
“Bill!” Darren snapped, his voice sharp.
Unbothered, Bill simply grinned and continued, “They used to be engaged.”
Darren’s expression darkened as he shot Bill a murderous glare.
Having long struggled to gain a foothold in the Foiclens real estate sector, Bill seized the chance to create tension between Malcolm and the Griffiths family.
Darren glanced sideways at Elena before hastily saying, “Mr. Johnson, don’t get the wrong idea. That was in the past. I ended things because she was unfaithful—she wasn’t a virgin anymore.”
Without hesitation, Darren chose to smear Elena’s reputation, hoping Malcolm would see Elena for what she truly was and cast her aside.
Malcolm was genuinely surprised to learn Darren and Elena were once engaged. This revelation promised delightful fodder for future teasing of Wesley.
Yet, Malcolm couldn’t help but silently judge Elena’s romantic choices. Though he had never held Darren in high regard, he maintained a carefully neutral expression. With deliberate sarcasm, he prodded, “So, she was unfaithful to you?”
Unaware of Malcolm’s ability to mask his true intentions behind a veneer of friendliness, Darren mistook his composed demeanor for genuine sympathy. He nodded eagerly, desperate to appear credible. “Indeed. I don’t mind if you mock me, but I swear I never touched Elena.” His voice grew steely with conviction. “I’m absolutely certain she’s not a virgin. If you doubt me, feel free to investigate.”
Malcolm remained silent.
Ⱡ₳₸€$† ₡н∆₱₸€Ɽ$ 1₦ g𝓪l𝑛ovєl𝑆.𝗰𝑂m
A thick tension settled around them.
Even Bill, a man not known for subtlety, frowned at Darren with a potent mixture of disbelief and contempt. Darren publicly dragged a young woman’s intimate details into the open! This was truly distasteful. Besides, what possible concern was her virginity to him? Perhaps the real problem lay within Darren himself, while she simply lived her life with unapologetic freedom. If Darren was so pathologically fixated on virginity, he might as well retreat to whatever narrow-minded corner he emerged from.
Bill could no longer contain his contempt. “I suggest we first have you examined by a urologist—to determine exactly where the real dysfunction lies.”
Darren’s face contorted, blood rushing to his cheeks. “What the hell did you just say?”
Bill kept one hand casually in his pocket. “I’m certain my words were crystal clear. If comprehension eludes you, perhaps you should go home and request a vocabulary lesson from your mother.”
