Chapter 22
Across Alexis chest, a mosate of discolored marks–ranging from red to purple–stood out, unmistakably the marks of affectionate hites,
Eleanor’s complexion immediately turned pale. “Alexis, you
With a smug grin, Alexis adjusted her lapels back in place. “You have no idea how energetic Dominick was when he was with me in bed last night His vigor was almost overwhelming.
Eleanor’s eyes flashed with fury, I don’t believe i
I was in prison for years, and Dominick never touched Alexis. Now that I’ve been out for only a few days, is Dominick already entangled with Alexis It’s impossible”
“It doesn’t matter.” Alexis dismissed with a light snort. “Eleanor, I suggest you come to terms with reality. Dominick is now mine. No matter what schemes you employ, you’ll only succeed in making yourself appear more ridiculous”
Eleanors lips quivered, at a loss for words. Growing more self–satished. Alexis slowly maneuvered her wheelchair towards the living room, leaving Eleanor in a daze. She remained there, lost in thought, unnoticed by anyone for a long while.
Dominick sat imperiously in the living room, exuding an air of arrogance and detachment.
Gregory and Jennifer hovered around him, their faces etched with obsequious uniles, showering him with compliments in the hopes of engaging him in more conversation
Yet, Dominick’s countenance remained frosty, offering only the occasional terse reply, leaving everyone in the dark about his thoughts. Alexis wheeled into the room with a squeaky protest from her chair, bestowing a sweet smile upon Dominick. “Dominick. I’m back.”
Tyler leaped to his feet and bowed deeply to Alexis. “Mrs, Vanderbili, a pleasure to see you.
Mrs. Vanderbilt The tale sent a jolt through every member of the Reed family.
Alexis joy was immediate and radiant. “Well, hello there. You must be Eleanor’s husband. “Tyler, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right, I’m Tyler Tyler responded with a deference that bordered on reverence, perhaps even surpassing the respect he would show his own parents
Tve heard that Mr. Vanderbilt holds you in the highest regard. I’m truly fortunate to make your acquaintance. You and Mr. Vanderbilt are a heavenly match..
“Shut up, Tyler Dominick’s interjection was icy
gand abrupt.
Tyler was shocked, unsure of his transgression. “Mr. Vanderbüi”
Dominick fixed Tyler with a frigid stare. “Diel I grant you permission to speak?” His words were laden with displeasure and an implicit threat.
Tyler trembled and dropped to his knees with a resounding thud. Dominick turned away and coldly said, “Contemplate your mistake. He had no Intention of allowing Tyler to rise.
“Yes, Mr. Vanderbilt Tyler realized his flattery had been misplaced. But under the circumstances, he had no choice but to kneel there, straight and
from Alexis carlier words, she barely glanced at Tyler before
When Eleanor entered the living room, she found Tyler kneeling there. Still reeling fr looking away.
Alexis, however, couldn’t contain her gloating and announced loudly. “Eleanor, Tyler said something out of turn and upset Dominick. That’s why Daminark is making him kneel. Why don’t you intercede?”
Eleanor frowned, “What does Tyler’s punishment have to do with me?”
“Oh. Franor, how can you be so indifferent?” Alexis feigned shock, covering h something to do with you”
her mouth with her hand. “Tyler is your husband. Surely, it has
“Husband Funny” Elrange scoffed with disdain and turned her head away. From the outset, she had never accepted this so–called husband.
Sering Eleanor’s indifferent reaction, Alexis feigned shock and pressed on earnestly. “Eleanor, this is not the way to treat Tyler After all, he is your husband, the oor you’re supposed to spend your life with. He’s being punished with kneeling. How can you be so cavalier?”
Chapter 22
Each of Alexis words sink Tyler like an ar
as at the h heart. Thuable locuint
Eleanor brow furrowed, her panense wering this “Alexis, have you not need of this a
Alexis put her hand to her mouth, her eyey welling up with trigued last. “Team, I was mily trying to help you how can you speak to air in sacha
“Enough” Domnick a deep voice cut through the tension
Alexis turned to hum, surprised. Tomunick, what’s wrong”
Dominick’s bronses, kintted together, his expression stein as he declares colilly, Tune for dinner” With that, he pose and strade darctly toward diming mont
Eleanor shot Dominick a glance of surprise. She had expected a rebuke hrom him, but he seemed griminely interested in eating.
Alexis was upset that Dormick did not berate Eleanor as expected. As she realized this, a shadow crocher Live
“Alexis” Eleanor addressed her with a sort. “It appears your inamquilations, anest ́s always effective
Alexis remained silent, but Gregory’s anger flares as he bellowed. “Your ungrateful wretch, how dare you speak to Alexis like that. I believe we should never have allowed you back into this family at all, Allowing you back is just giving you the chance to wreak havoc here.”
Eleanor scoffed. “Do you think I wanted to come back?”
“You” Gregory was so enraged that he took a step forward, his hand raised to slap Eleane
Eleanor met has gaze without fear. Tominick is still leve. Are you sure you want him to dine with someone with a lamised face! If your spoil Dominick’s appetite, can you afford the consequences?
Gergory paused, considering the implications. Reluctantly, he lowered his hand, still mustering, I should have drowned you at birth,
“I feel the same. I never wanted to be born into this family either, Eleanor retoned before aruding towards the dining roo Gregory famed for a long while before Jennifer, soothing his chest, managed to calm him down and coax him into the dining room
Tyler remained kneeling, his demeanor dejected. No one paid him any attention. He was like an invisible servant, stripped of all dignity.
Once everyone had left, Alexis wheeled over to Tyler, her tone soft and refined. “Tyler, you may rise now?
“Mrs. Vanderbalt_No, Ms. Foster Tyler remembered the earlier title mishap and corrected himself hastily. “But Mr. Vanderbilt hasn’t said I can rise
“Dominick simply forgot, Alexis offered a friendly smile. “Besides, you’re Eleanor’s husband, part of our family. As we are family, how condel Dominick keep making things difficult for you?”
“But Tyler hesitated
Alexis was determined to have Tyler inside causing trouble for Eleanor and wouldn’t let him be deterred. Seeing his indecision, Alexis simply said, “If Dominick questions it, tell him I told you to rise. After all, Dominick wouldn’t want to make things difficult for me.
O
