Chapter 14 A Disgrace to the Browns
Before letting Elsa into the house, I had texted Jeremiah and Jack.
They had always considered me a jealous woman and were terrified that Elsa might suffer under the same roof as me. Given how much they cared for her, they’d rush over the moment they received my text.
Elsa had pushed me down this flight of stairs in my past life, causing my miscarriage. Since she was intending to pull the same trick, I’d play along. This time, I’d make sure Jeremiah and Jack saw her true colors.
Elsa grabbed my arm and blocked my way. She feigned remorse and said, “Don’t get so worked up. Think about the baby. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have joined the Browns. That way, you and Jeremiah wouldn’t be fighting because of me. It’s all on me.
“I’ve recently learned a new soup recipe that’s great for health. Please give me a chance to make up for my mistakes and let me cook for you, alright?”
Elsa eyed me pitifully as if she’d start crying the moment I refused.
Faint noises from outside the villa implied that Jeremiah and Jack had arrived,
Nodding, I suppressed a cold laugh and went along with her charade. “Alright, I’ll give you this chance.” Then, I turned and descended the stairs.
As I turned away, I keenly noticed the flicker of malice in Elsa’s eyes.
She walked beside me and suddenly missed a step. With a sharp cry, she stumbled toward me and knocked me down the stairs.
At the same time, a shadow flashed by the door.
As my body hurtled down, I panically reached for the handrail, but I was too late. My fingertips barely grazed the wood before I lost my grip.
My heart skipped a beat, and I closed my eyes to resign myself to my fate. It was just a short flight of stairs, and I’d feel some pain at worst. It wouldn’t be anything serious.
If exposing Elsa’s true nature would just cost me a fall, it’d be worth it.
But I didn’t feel the pain I had anticipated. Instead, a strong pair of arms caught me around my waist mid–fall A familiar refreshing scent enveloped me, and I landed in a warm embrace.
A worried voice came from above me. “Are you alright?”
The voice.
My eyes shot open to see Eric’s concerned expression. Behind him stood Jeremiah and Jack, who
Chapter 14 A Disgrace to the Browns
both wore conflicted expressions.
My heart sank. I never expected Eric to show up at this moment. Though he saved me, his
presence ruined my plan to expose Elsa.
Jeremiah stormed over and yanked me out of Eric’s arms. His expression was grim as he spat through gritted teeth “What do you think you’re doing?”
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Before I could respond, Elsa hurried down the stairs and eyed Eric. Then, she commented
somewhat meaningfully, “No wonder you were so eager to kick me out, Jane. Turns out you have
company… But isn’t it inappropriate for him to visit you this late at night?”
Elsa’s specialty was in stirring up trouble. What had been nothing turned suspicious under her
framing.
Sure enough, Jeremiah’s expression darkened further as he gave me a deathly stare. “So, it’s true. There’s something going on between you and Eric You moved here just to make it easier to meet
him in secret!”
Jack frowned deeply and looked at me in disappointment. “Jane, you’re married. How could you mingle around other men? You might not care about your reputation, but that’s a disgrace to the
Browns!”
