Who Cares About Him When I'm Married to the Richest Man?-Chapter 200: Put This into Elara Hale’s Water
Elara frowned, "Even if he finds a job, don’t quit your job."
After a pause, worried she might not understand, she explained, "Men always say they’ll support you, but when you have no income and you have to ask for money, you’ll feel insecure. Living like that for a year or two, he might start thinking you do nothing every day and just spend money — not to mention, his idea of support might just mean giving you a meal."
"In any case, don’t quit your job, work well, then take maternity leave, and afterward, you’ll have maternity insurance. It’s multiple layers of security for you."
Jean was stunned for a moment, "Elara, I trust Connor, we’ve been together for six years, I believe he wouldn’t treat me that way, he genuinely cares for me."
Elara was momentarily at a loss for words.
Vera sighed inwardly and gently patted Elara’s hand under the table. Jean, enwrapped in her feelings, couldn’t see clearly now. No matter how much they say, it won’t reach her heart.
She only thinks her boyfriend is Prince Charming, the sole exception.
Saying too much might have the opposite effect.
So, it’s better not to say too much.
Elara understood this principle; these words she wouldn’t normally say because they might annoy, but Jean was giving up almost everything for her boyfriend now.
In this relationship, Jean had a significant sunk cost.
Just as Elara had been trapped in Mason’s snare, unable to free herself.
She didn’t want Jean to walk her old path, but Vera was right, she couldn’t manage too much.
Vera changed the topic, asking Jean, "Why suddenly get married at the end of the year? There’s not many days left, is there? It’s too rushed."
It was already December now, only a month left until the New Year. If they were to hold the wedding before the New Year, there wouldn’t even be a month.
There are so many details in a wedding; is such a short time enough?
Jean sighed, "It’s a bit tight, but I have no choice. If I don’t hurry and get married, after the New Year, I might start to show, and I don’t want to wear a wedding dress with a bulging belly."
"What do your parents say?" Vera asked. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Jean looked distressed, "My dad was really angry. The day I told him I was pregnant, he was so furious he smashed the TV at home. Even now, he still dislikes Connor. My mom feels sorry for me, and she’s not saying much now; she just tells me to get married first. My family has prepared the house and car, and they don’t ask for a dowry, but they won’t give me a bridal gift either. Plus, the house and car are in my mom’s name. Although they say it’s for me, it’s ultimately just for us to use."
Vera and Elara exchanged a glance, evidently Jean’s parents had clear thinking.
Knowing Jean’s personality, they didn’t transfer the house and car to her name, lest she impulsively sold them.
Jean didn’t understand her parents’ careful intentions and sighed, "I really don’t understand why they don’t trust Connor at all. It makes it feel like they’re guarding against him. Connor is a bit upset because of this too, and I’m really stuck in the middle."
Elara could only advise, "After some time, your parents will know what kind of person he is and won’t act like this anymore. Anyway, you have confidence in him, and he truly loves you. Being able to get married is already very happy. As for those external things, if he loves you, they won’t really matter."
Jean nodded thoughtfully.
Elara and Vera accompanied Jean for dinner. Connor hadn’t returned all evening, and Jean couldn’t stop talking about her boyfriend, making it uncomfortable for them, so they left before eight.
After leaving Jean’s house, Vera asked Elara, "What do you think?"
Elara shook her head, "She and her boyfriend won’t have a good outcome."
She’s not someone who stirs trouble; under normal circumstances, she’d never say such things.
But today, Jean’s situation had shocked her deeply.
Moreover, she was absolutely certain this conclusion would occur.
Vera looked at her in surprise, saying, "I thought you would understand Jean. You always seem so gentle and tolerant to me."
"There’s no tolerance for things like this," Elara said softly, "I’ve suffered because of it."
Vera thought of her nearly perfect ex-husband, Mason Jacobs, and faintly understood something.
Sighing, she said, "I share your view, but Jean has already been brainwashed; we figure no matter what we say, she won’t listen. The only thing to do is to make sure she doesn’t quit her job."
Elara understood Vera’s meaning. Last week, Vera’s transfer order had arrived; after the New Year, Vera would go to headquarters.
Before leaving, she was entrusting this matter to Elara.
Elara naturally wouldn’t refuse, "Jean has worked with me for over half a year now. She’s very smart and young; if I can pull her back, I won’t stand by."
Vera smiled and nodded, "You’re already one of the three team leaders now, and you should get promoted after the New Year, maybe as a sales manager or something."
Elara just smiled and said nothing.
Honestly, lately she’s been wondering how much of her career rise is due to her own efforts.
After all, Zion Fitzwilliam admitted he’d given her a lot of performance boosts.
Her self-perceived efforts and independence... has it always been under Zion Fitzwilliam’s light?
She couldn’t tell, and was too lazy to ponder it further.
Elara took a cab home.
Joanne had just finished her homework and was practicing English conversation with Zion Fitzwilliam; lately Joanne’s English had improved significantly, all thanks to Zion.
He spoke English very well, with a standard London accent and a deep voice. Elara thought if she were still in school, she wouldn’t resist practicing conversation like this.
Seeing Elara come back, Joanne ran over, gossiping, "Aunt Hale, Uncle Fitzwilliam said you’re pregnant."
Elara was a bit surprised, "I was planning to choose a proper time within the next couple of days to tell you, didn’t expect you to find out early."
Joanne cheerfully touched her stomach, asking, "There are two little babies inside? That’s amazing, your belly is so flat."
Elara laughed, "It’s only a few weeks; they’re still tiny as little beans."
She pulled Joanne to sit down seriously, saying, "Joanne, I know, me being pregnant might make you uneasy, but I promise you, even if I have my own children, I’ll still be responsible for you and raise you well."
These words were supposed to be said at a more formal time, but since Joanne already knew, she worried Joanne would overthink, so might as well talk to her now.
Joanne merely waved cheerfully, "Oh you and Uncle Fitzwilliam are just so cheesy, I get it!"
After speaking, she ran back to her room shyly.
Elara looked at Zion Fitzwilliam, somewhat surprised he had considered this point.
Zion Fitzwilliam looked into her eyes, a slight smile playing at his lips, "What, are you captivated by my attentiveness? I certainly hope so."
Elara was a bit dazzled by his smile and had to steady herself before she found her voice, "Joanne Carter was originally a child I adopted. I didn’t expect you to be so involved."
Zion Fitzwilliam seemed puzzled, "Even though you adopted her, since she’s in our family, she’s our child together. As her adoptive father, I naturally care about her well-being, her studies, and even her social life. I want to ensure she grows up well."
Elara was moved.
He has always been a serious and responsible man.
Such a man is really hard not to fall for.
But thinking about the differences between them, the warmth in her heart cooled down.
Once they meet his parents this weekend, everything will end, it’s better not to think too much.
Zion Fitzwilliam didn’t need to think twice to know what she was pondering. He deliberately walked over and pressed against her back, causing Elara’s body to tense. "You..."
Just as she was about to speak, she saw him pick up a tissue from beside her and wipe his hands.
Elara’s posture deflated; it turned out she misunderstood. He just wanted a tissue.
"What about me?" Zion Fitzwilliam tossed the tissue into the trash can, his body still not moving an inch, even leaning slightly forward, making Elara feel overwhelmed by his presence.
"Did you think I wanted to hug you?" he asked with a light laugh.
Elara turned her face away awkwardly, "No..."
"Good thing you didn’t misunderstand. Actually, I just wanted to wipe my hands. Before you came back, I just washed the dishes." Zion Fitzwilliam explained, noticing Elara’s somewhat embarrassed expression. His smile widened slightly as he tilted her chin up.
"Now, that’s when I want to hug you."
He lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Elara felt all the blood rush to her head, panicking as she tried to push him away. She couldn’t understand what was happening. Zion Fitzwilliam had always been quite the gentleman, especially since knowing she was considering divorce. He had been very proper, never crossing the line...
What was happening today?
She was flustered beyond belief, but Zion Fitzwilliam remained immovable. He grabbed her resisting hands and placed them behind his back, wrapping them around his waist.
The kiss was gentle, delicate, and lingering.
Finally, after who knows how long, he stopped, slightly out of breath, and looked down at her lips, as red as strawberries.
Foreheads touching, he spoke in a low, slightly hoarse voice, "I just suddenly remembered, before we get the divorce papers, we’re still legally and rightfully married. I can do anything I want to you."
Elara was astonished, her heart in disarray. She didn’t know what had gotten into him, but she couldn’t bring herself to be disgusted by his advances.
She even struggled to control her own body’s reactions.
She had intended to push him away, but he lightly embraced her, resting his head on her shoulder, and whispered, "I really want to hold you, Elara."
For some reason, Elara detected a hint of vulnerability in his voice.
In a moment of impulse, she didn’t push him away.
As a result, she didn’t notice the satisfied smile on his lips.
The tips from the internet seemed quite effective.
Thanks to the almighty netizens.
Zion Fitzwilliam knew when to stop. After holding her for a while, he felt it was enough and released her, asking, "Do you want to shower?"
Elara nodded but found it a bit strange. After a kiss and a hug, asking if she wanted to shower... why did it sound so ambiguous?
But she clearly was overthinking it. She was just newly pregnant, even if Zion Fitzwilliam had the motive, he wouldn’t have the nerve.
Before bed, Elara lay on the bed as Zion Fitzwilliam squeezed over, planting a kiss on her lips. Elara confusedly grasped the blanket tighter as he smiled and said, "Goodnight."
Then he turned off the light.
In the darkness, Elara could only hear her heart beating uncontrollably, erratically.
Meanwhile, in another room, Joanne Carter, who had climbed into bed early, was still awake.
She clutched her blanket and tossed around for a long time, unable to shake off Mason Jacobs’s words from earlier that day.
"She’s about to have her own kids. Once her kids are born, do you think she’ll still have the energy to care for you? Not to mention the cost. Do you know how much it takes to raise a child? Once those two kids are born, they’ll take away the resources that originally belonged to you. Joanne, you’ll become nothing again. If I were you, I’d find a way to get rid of those two kids of hers."
Mason Jacobs had approached her during lunch.
She didn’t even know how Mason Jacobs managed to get into the school cafeteria.
He just sat down next to her with his meal and asked if she knew Aunt Hale was pregnant.
Then he told her those things.
Joanne rebutted, "Aunt Hale genuinely cares for me. She promised to raise me, and she will. Aunt Hale struggled to have her own kids, I won’t harm her. I know what you’re getting at, you just want to use me! But at that time, none of you wanted me; it was Aunt Hale who took me in, it was Aunt Hale who gave me hope. I won’t let you have your way!"
Mason Jacobs just looked at her with a smile, a smile that made her skin crawl, and she couldn’t help but ask loudly, "What are you laughing at?"
Mason Jacobs patted her head and said, "Joanne, remember, people change. People only love their own flesh and blood. Even your Aunt Hale, she treats you well now because you’re her only one. But after her children are born, you won’t be the only one. Her attention will be divided by her own children, and she’ll gradually neglect you, alienate you, until she resents you for taking resources from her biological children."
"That’s human nature. Your trust in her can’t change that, understand?"
Joanne was left speechless by his words, perhaps because, deep down, she also feared the same.
She grew up in an orphanage and has seen the indifference of the world. She’s afraid to set expectations for anyone, but Aunt Hale is truly wonderful, and Uncle Fitzwilliam is just as great. She really liked them.
Would they really stop caring for her because of the birth of their own children?
Mason Jacobs handed her a packet of powder and smiled, "Joanne, put this in Elara’s drink. It’s colorless and tasteless, no one will know it was you. Once she drinks it, the child in her belly will disappear without anyone knowing, and you’ll never have to worry about losing your place."
After leaving that packet of powder, Mason Jacobs left, as if confident she would comply.
Joanne got out of bed, opened her backpack, and there lay the packet of powder quietly.
