Chapter 530 Fragile Heart

&#lt;p&#gt;&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah silently lifted his hand and helped her wipe her tears without saying any words.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Her heart which she thought had gone numb, was aching as if there were a million arrows piercing
through her heart. The numbing pain gnawed at every inch of her skin seemingly trying to melt her into
that intense pain.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;She was in Elijah’s embrace, but through his shoulder her eyes still could not help but fall on Hudson
who wasn’t far away. He was standing there quietly but his figure was lonely.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;By this time, the banquet was getting more crowded, and people were getting noisier. Elijah finally let
go of the woman who was quietly leaning in his embrace and said, “Want something to eat?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Although the banquet was luxurious and the food looked delicious, as soon as she saw Mr. Ball, her
heart ached and she lost her appetite.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I want a drink!” she said while grabbing a glass of wine from a waiter’s tray and finished it in one gulp.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah didn’t stop her, only that his eyes flashed. He grabbed a glass himself and gulped it down as well.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;A loud noise was heard across the room at that moment and were followed by the voice of a sprightly
old man about seventy years old, entering the banquet hall surrounded by a bunch of people.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“The old Mr. Perry is here!” someone shouted.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther Price wasn’t bothered. She didn’t even know why she was here for the banquet in the first place,
so she didn’t care much.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;However, Elijah took her hand and led her towards the old Mr. Perry right at that moment.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Hey, what are you doing?!” Esther yelled subconsciously.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah didn’t say a word, just held her hand and walked towards the other side.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Unable to break free, she could only follow him.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;With the commotion, the two soon became the center of attention.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Wow is that Mr. Perry’s girlfriend?” someone shouted.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;The whole crowd was surprised and were all secretly guessing about Esther’s identity.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“She’s so young! Wonder which wealthy family she’s from?” Chatters were all over the place.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“It’s the first time Mr. Perry brought a female companion!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Looks like so to me. Didn’t you see the strong possessiveness look on Mr. Perry? She’s definitely his
woman!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;While Esther was inexplicably brought to the old Mr. Perry’s side by Elijah, she yelled, “Hey, take your
hands off me! I want to drink. Elijah! Why did you grab me?!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Grandpa,” Elijah led Esther over and said, “Happy Birthday!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tim Perry was stunned for a moment as it was the first time that he had seen his grandson bringing a
female companion. His sharp gaze fell on Esther’s face. With scrutiny, he looked scarily majestic.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther was appalled that the old Mr. Perry was Elijah’s grandfather. They really do look similar. Elijah
should look like his grandfather in a few decades, right?
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Esther, give your greetings!” Elijah said in a deep voice.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;She was overwhelmed by the look from the old Mr. Perry that she didn’t even heard him calling her so
intimately. All she could do was to say, “Happy Birthday!”&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“No appellation?” asked Tim who raised his eyebrows while looking at Esther, “I am still an elder to you,
right?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;The way the old Mr. Perry raised his eyebrows was similar to Elijah’s, and he also had a cold face.
Esther knew straight away that his temper would be just as bad when he got older.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“What appellation? You’re not my grandfather!” Esther wasn’t being courteous. She didn’t have to come
to the party, so what’s the big deal. She knew how to raise an eyebrow too, so she gave one right over
and said, “If you don’t mind, I would like to call you uncle because you look so young!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther said that on purpose as she wanted to take advantage of Elijah. She was angry at the thought of
being blackmailed by him.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“You want to call me uncle? Does it mean that you would like to become Elijah’s aunt then?” Tim raised
his eyebrows, trying to hold back his laughter. He looked at Elijah and asked, “Where did this girl come
from?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Grandpa, she’s my woman.” Elijah said. Although his voice was not loud, it was enough to spread
through every corner of the room.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Wh… what?!” Esther said shockingly, “Elijah Perry, do you even know what you’re saying?! Are you
sick? So sick that you’re confused?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah had one look at Esther and firmly replied, “You, are my woman!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;And before she even had time to react, he was already in her ear whispering, “You better behave
yourself if you don’t want me to kiss you publicly!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I am not your woman!!” Esther roared angrily back at him. How dare he threatened her, she was not
having it!&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah’s handsome face abruptly pressed down against Esther’s, “Mm…” His lips swiftly sealed with
hers in front of everyone.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Gasps were heard across the whole room instantly. Mr. Perry really did kiss a woman! He was not gay!
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Goddammit this son of a bitch! Esther struggled hard and Elijah let go of her. She didn’t dare to go
against him. Elijah was a man of his words and Esther knew that she couldn’t mess with him.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Only that when she turned around and met the wounded gaze of Hudson filled with agony, her heart
tightened as she turned her head away.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah murmured, “This is my grandfather, call him grandpa.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tim looked at Elijah and Esther. Interestingly Esther didn’t seem to like Elijah and she had quite a
character. It was to his surprise that there was actually someone who didn’t like his outstanding
grandson and it was fun.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther pouted and reluctantly greeted, “Grandpa! I don’t have a birthday gift as I didn’t know what kind
of banquet this was, so I didn’t bring any. If you want one, ask your grandson for it, I don’t have any!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;She then moved a little closer to Tim and said, “Just to be clear, I am really not his woman! I have
issues with my gender orientation. This is my privacy so please keep it a secret! Anyways, you just
have to understand that I’m not his woman and everything will be fine!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Such blunt words had left the surrounding people that heard them stunned, but not Tim who burst out
laughing. Esther was baffled. “What are you laughing at?” she asked.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;How was it that both grandfather and grandson were crazy? One more than the other.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;This was the first time that someone dared to speak to Tim so recklessly, moreover that it was a young
girl.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tim finished laughing and looked at Esther with a pair of sharp eyes. With great interest, he asked,
“What do your parents do?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;As soon as Esther heard of the word parents mentioned, her eyes darkened. She pouted while saying,
“You’ll have to ask God, I have no idea what jobs God has arranged for them!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Everyone gasped.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tim looked towards Elijah and he blinked in a silent manner.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Everyone started discussing, “She’s an orphan!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“She doesn’t have any background; how could Mr. Perry find such a girl?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“…” Doubts rose all at once.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther heard everyone’s discussion, she lowered her face and didn’t speak. She was an orphan and
that was her agony, but she never wanted any of this—who would want to be an orphan?
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Her sudden vulnerable side caught Elijah slightly startled.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Right at that moment, Hudson who has been sullenly drinking walked straight over to Esther’s side. He
held her hand in his and pulled her into his arms. He spoke politely and told Tim, “Grandpa, Esther is
my friend.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther was stunned but her heart overflowed with gratefulness, till she couldn’t help but jump into
Hudson embrace, “Mr. Ball …”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Don’t be scared Esther.” Hudson stroked her back naturally.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Why was it that every time the person who gave her strength was Mr. Ball?&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Tim looked at Hudson and then went on to look at Elijah’s calm and indifferent face, unable to know
what he was thinking.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Winnie, however, was dumbfounded. Her face was instantly pale white.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;She had never seen Hudson so gentle before. He comforted Esther gently and said, “Esther, let’s go
home! Don’t be afraid, I’m here and nobody will give you a hard time.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Esther Price!” Elijah raised his voice suddenly, “Come here!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;His voice startled Esther and she instantly understood what was happening. She swallowed her tears,
Mr. Ball wasn’t single anymore, his embrace belonged to another woman and she couldn’t be greedy
anymore.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’m alright, Mr. Ball.” Esther lifted her head. Because she cried, her tears blurred her makeup.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah coldly swept his glance at them and with his long arms, he pulled Esther to his side.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther didn’t say a word.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;The situation caused all the guests to stupefy, how was it that she became Hudson’s friend now?
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“The banquet will now begin, let’s dance!” announced Elijah. He placed his arm around Esther and led
her to the center of the dance floor. The music started and Elijah said in her ear, “Have this dance with
me.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther shook her head and said, “I don’t know how!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“I’ll lead you!” Elijah said with a deep voice.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther snapped her head up and glared at him. If it wasn’t for the fact that Mr. Ball was married, she
would’ve left with him tonight, “I’m not dancing!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah lowered his head to look at her, tear marks with mascara can still be seen on her face.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther desperately glanced at Hudson who wasn’t far away. His face was full of sorrow and its
coldness slowly seeped into Esther’s heart. It was only a few days since she last saw him, but he had
already lost so much weight. She can feel that his chiseled face was filled with pain right now.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;The loneliness and despair coming from him made Esther’s heart ached even more, which she had to
painfully look away. Esther pulled Elijah’s sleeve and begged, “Can I not dance? Can you please bring
me somewhere else?”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Her sudden vulnerable look got caught in Elijah’s gaze. His eyes tightened and went on to say
indifferently, “No. You have to dance!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah’s dominance made Esther’s whole body tensed up, “Who are you to do that?!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“You think you could get away? I won’t allow anyone to hurt Winnie!” he said with a deep voice in her
ear.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther immediately lifted her head up upon hearing this and she had realized why he said that she was
his woman. It turned out to be for his sister. He was worried that she would ruin his sister’s happiness
with Mr. Ball, right?
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther smiled bitterly and said, “Don’t worry, I won’t ruin your sister’s happiness.”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;As Elijah heard those words, a sparkle gushed from his eyes. He then possessively wrapped his arms
around her waist and led her to dance. There was no way for her to break free.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;

&#lt;p/&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;On the dance floor, everyone pretended to glance at Esther unintentionally, but they were all in fact,
speculating about her identity.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Meanwhile, Hudson also entered the dance floor with Winnie in his arms.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Esther was trapped in Elijah’s embrace and rather than dancing, it felt more like a confinement. She
growled angrily, “Let go of me! Or else I’ll ruin your sister’s happiness and ask Mr. Ball to divorce her!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah’s hands abruptly tightened, “You won’t have the chance anymore!”
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;He then dragged Esther and left straight away, right under everyone’s gazes.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;“Where are you taking me?!” she shouted.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;As Hudson saw that Esther was being dragged away, he let go of Winnie immediately and followed
straight after them.
&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p&#gt;Elijah dragged her into the men’s restroom.&#lt;/p&#gt;
&#lt;p/&#gt;