Elise felt helpless as she immediately realized what Owen was trying to do. Is he trying to be the knight in shining armor who rescues a damsel in distress?
Look at the number of actors he hired to pull this stunt, just so he could be the hero! He spared no expense. At the same time, the spectating extras swiftly stepped aside when they noticed that the plank was about to fall, clearing a path for Owen.
Elise played along. She pretended to slip and crash to the ground before protecting her head with a look of terror. As the beam was about to crush her, Owen reached her just in time to shield her from the blow.
Thus, the blazing beam left burns on his arm. Not only was his sleeve singed in the process, but a large patch of his skin was covered in a horrifying wound.
Owen stumbled to the ground as he clasped his injured arm with a look of agony. However, he remained quiet and played the character of a mature, responsible, and trustworthy man to perfection.
“Are you okay?” Elise quickly got up and pretended to be concerned as she checked on him. She also acted as if she finally recognized him. “It’s you! What are you doing here, Mr. Morgan?”
“Let’s talk later. We need to get out first!” Owen responded with a grim expression.
“Okay.”
Elise nodded and helped Owen get back on his feet before heading out. The corridor which had been stuffed full of people just moments ago was suddenly clear. Without a doubt, it had to be Owen’s doing.
As soon as they came out, Narissa instantly spotted Elise and started waving at her. She was about to call out to Elise when she noticed Owen and clammed up.
Isn’t this the handsome man who was hitting on El a while back? How did they run into each other again when it has only been a couple of days? Is it really just a coincidence?
Narissa had an exuberant personality, but it didn’t mean that she was obtuse. She could sense that things were not as simple as they seemed..
Elise spotted Narissa as well. She helped Owen over and purposely introduced him. “Narissa, this is Owen Morgan, the one I previously mentioned to you. Mr. Morgan was the one who saved me back there.”
“Ohhhhh!” Narissa dragged her exclamation out on purpose before eyeing the two. “So, you’re Owen Morgan, huh?”
This is the punk that Alexander was talking about-the one who purposely lured us over. He looks like such a refined gentleman, though. I can’t believe he’s capable of hurting anyone. However, Narissa immediately refuted herself.
You can’t judge a book by its cover. There are guys like Zephyr Lorwhal who appear to be outstanding men of great character but are actually scum! This punk’s no exception.
“Do you know me?” Owen narrowed his eyes as they flashed warily.
“Nope.” Without missing a beat, Narissa passed the buck back to Elise. “Anastasia talked about you a couple of times, so I remembered the name.”
Alexander would have a bone to pick with Narissa if he heard what she said. Owen turned to Elise for verification.
Elise froze for a second before quickly schooling her expression. She pretended to be a little shy and hesitant as if she was feeling mortified that her secret had been exposed.
Owen’s eyes flashed. Hah. Alexander Griffith’s charm isn’t all that captivating after all. His woman’s already attracted to me after a single encounter. At last, Clement and Raymond rushed over.
“Are you alright, Elise?” Raymond frantically checked on Elise.
“I’m fine, but Mr. Morgan got injured when he saved me. Hurry up and take us to the hospital. Clement, take Narissa back first.”
Elise secretly gave Narissa a look and Narissa got the hint at once. She smirked suggestively with a knowing look on her face.
By now, Owen was even more convinced that. Anastasia had a thing for him. With Raymond around, Elise and Owen didn’t talk much while on the road.
When the nurse was treating Owen’s injury, Elise purposely stayed right beside them with a worried frown the whole time as if she was beside herself with anxiousness.
Owen fell for this hook, line, and sinker. Now that none of Alexander’s eyes and ears were around, he intentionally glanced at Elise with soulful, affectionate eyes several times. Whenever their eyes met, he would timidly avert his eyes.
Such was the flirtatious signals sent between two adults. They were often a game of push- and-pull fraught with an underlying tension.
When the nurse left, Elise started thanking Owen. “I’m indebted to you, Mr. Morgan. My face would’ve been ruined today if it hadn’t been for you.”
“It’s nothing. It seems as if fate wanted us to run into each other again.” Owen acted as if he didn’t want her to feel indebted to him. He changed the subject and commented, “Your husband must be a busy man, Miss White. You’re always alone whenever I see you.”
He’s now trying to drive a wedge between Alexander and me, huh?
Elise went along with it and pretended to look glum. “That’s right. There’s a lot that he needs to take care of at his company.”
Owen snorted scornfully. “There’s always more money to be made, but life is short. The decades pass by in a flash and before you know it, everything’s gone like dust in the wind. It’s more important to cherish the people we have with us. If I were him, I wouldn’t be willing to let you spend all your days alone, Miss White.”
Now that she had taken the bait, he was setting up an even bigger trap. Who could resist a handsome, wealthy man who appeared to be so true in love?
Unfortunately for Owen, Elise was the very person who could. She was now pretty certain that Owen was trying to use his wiles to win her over so that he could use her against Alexander somehow.
He’s underestimating Alexander’s charm and overestimating his own! Still, to continue fooling Owen, Elise played her part and went along with the act.
She turned away and let out an exaggerated sigh as she donned a look of melancholy. “We can’t have our pie and eat it too. Since I chose to be with an enterprising man, I have to accept the loneliness that comes with him being busy all the time.”
“I’m afraid I can’t agree with you on that, Miss White,” Owen objected gently. “There are plenty of men in this world who can dedicate themselves to both their careers and their families. As long as you don’t give in so easily…. As long… as you’re willing to let fate take its course, then perhaps… your one true love might be someone else…”
He was implying that he, not Alexander, was the one she was meant to be with. Elise’s eyes brightened as if she was moved by his words. “Is that true?” she asked him.
“Absolutely,” Owen declared firmly. Elise gazed at him expectantly for two seconds before she seemed to deflate at the thought of something. She turned back around and said, “It’s getting late. I should head back!”
She walked toward the door and opened it before turning back to say, “Thank you for what you did today!”
Then, she hurried out of the room. Owen smirked at the sight of her flustered departure. He got out his phone and made a video call. Soon, Wendy appeared on the screen.
“You must have good news if you’re calling me this quickly.” Wendy had a hunch.
“You’re so perceptive, Miss Jennings. I wanted to let you know that Anastasia has already fallen for me. She’s definitely going to cheat on Alexander.”
