His Destructive, Toxic Love

Eliza held her tongue and pulled her arm back. It wasn't just about her and Casper having nothing between them. Even if he had been involved with another woman, talking like that in front of others would still be rude. At his age, you'd expect him to have more sense. "I'm talking to you," Katie said, stepping forward and giving Eliza a shove. Taken by surprise, Eliza nearly toppled over.

Casper quickly caught her, his anger igniting instantly. "Katie, who the hell do you think you are, laying hands on her? Are you out of your mind?"

Seeing Casper defend a woman deemed unworthy of public respect, Mae immediately moved to shield Katie. "Casper, have you lost it? How can you yell at your own family for an outsider?"

"I know exactly who's family and who's not," Casper said, his face darkening with a threatening aura. "Last time, I let it slide when you drugged me. But now, bullying my woman in front of me? Do you think I'm giving you too much leeway?"

"Your woman?" Mae sneered, looking at Eliza who had a mask on. "Her? She's just a commodity. I've seen plenty like her. Whoever pays gets her company. Casper, don't be fooled by her."

"Aunt Mae, I've been respectful because you're my elder. But keep testing my patience, and I'll have you out of Falconridge right now."

Casper's tone left no room for argument. Mae clearly didn't grasp the severity of the situation. Although she tried to hold back, she couldn't help but grumble, "I'm just looking out for you. If you need a woman, why not give Katie a chance? We're family, after all. You know her well, right?"

Eliza couldn't help but think, This aunt, ignoring all social norms and family ties, is dead set on marrying her stepdaughter into the Welton family. Her brain must be like a sponge soaked in water.

With his lips pressed tight, Casper took Eliza's hand and walked away, leaving the mother and daughter duo behind. Mae, feeling deliberately snubbed, fumed with resentment. "Look at that, Casper's really been led astray by that awful woman. So rude, not even a goodbye."

"Mae, that woman looks really familiar. I think I've seen her before."

"Really?"

Mae couldn't place her, but she didn't see Eliza as a threat. "Katie, don't worry. Mae will make sure you get what you want. But remember,

men like Casper are always surrounded by women. Be

over

prepared."

Katie only wanted a prestigious status. As far as she was concerned, no man was clean, and she didn't mind. "As long as I can marry into the Welton family, I can handle anything." "That's the spirit."

***

Casper led Eliza to a quiet spot. "Sorry about my family. They can be really rude. Don't let it get to you."

Eliza was upset too, but Mae's

malice wasn't specifically aimed at

her. Any woman with Casper

would've faced the same. "It's alright, she said, glancing at the

groceries in their cart. "Do you want anything else to eat?"

"Whatever you make, I'll eat. I'm not picky."

Eliza: ...

That actually sounded pretty easy to deal with.

They pushed the cart to the checkout. When Eliza moved to pay, Casper beat her to it and settled the bill. "I'll pay you back," she said.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

"Don't sweat it. Whether you pay or I pay, it's all the same."

Casper had changed so much from

before. This version of him seemed like he could actually be a good boyfriend. Whoever he ended up with wouldn't have to deal with his bad temper anymore. That's a good thing.

Eliza assumed Casper would leave after dropping her home. Dinner was still a while away.