765 Chapter 764
Darien was stunned.
He looked at Ellie in disbelief, unable to process the fact that she wasnât going to help him. His voice rose, âEllie, what game are you playing?â
Ellieâs cold gaze never wavered. She said nothing.
Beside them, Mollie looked confused, glancing between Ellie and Darien. She asked cautiously, âDarien, whatâs going on?â
Before he could answer, Ellie laughed. âWhatâs going on? Still donât get it? Your ârich boyâ here is nothing but a fraud! He saved my life once, so I gave him money, but you really thought he was some kind of heir? Let me tell youâŠâ
She stepped closer to Mollie. âHeâs unemployed, has no income, and his parents? Theyâre farmers who used every penny they had to put him through college.â
Mollie was dumbfounded. âNo way⊠that canât be true!â
Seeing her disbelief, Ellie scoffed.
Darien couldnât hold it in any longer. âEllie, thatâs enough! If you keep this up, Iâll never forgive you!â
Ellieâs voice was icy. âForgive me for what? What have I done wrong? Iâm just done giving you money, Darien.â
âHow could you do this to me?!â
Ellie stared him down. âWhen you bribed my maid and tampered with my car, did you stop to think why Iâd turn my back on you?â
Darien was shocked. âYou knew? No, it wasnât me, it was Mollieââ
Ellie found his reaction laughable.
If Keira hadnât uncovered the truth, she might have fallen for this same excuse again.
How could she have been so blind, trusting this man so much, believing every lie etched into his face?
She used to think he was someone special, but now it all seemed ridiculous.
Ellie smirked at him. âStop lying, Darien. Just pay the bill.â
At her words, the manager immediately tightened his grip on Darienâs wrist. âMr. Britt, if you donât pay up, youâll be in serious trouble.â
The manager twisted Darienâs wrist, causing him to yelp in pain.
âOkay, okay! Iâll pay! Iâll pay!â
The manager let go. âThen show me the money.â
Darien swallowed hard and pulled out his card. The manager swiped it through the machine. âThereâs only twenty grand here, and itâs been maxed out. You still owe us over three hundred thousand.â
Ellie looked at his card, a cold smile playing on her lips.
It was pathetic, really. She had even put money into his account to keep him afloat.
Now, the irony was clear as day.
Darienâs eyes pleaded with Ellie. âEllie, please. Iâm sorry, I really amââ
Ellieâs expression didnât change.
From a distance, Erin paused from munching on pistachios, suddenly looking concerned. She whispered to Keira, âYou think sheâs gonna fall for that âIâm sorryâ crap again?â
Keira wasnât sure how well she knew Ellie to answer, so she stayed silent.
After all, Darienâs deceit and selfishness were written all over his face. If Ellie had been truly sharp, how could she have fallen for him for three and a half years? Especially under the delusion that sheâd been the âother womanâ all that time.
How blinded by love was this girl?
Keira shifted her gaze towards Ryan to see if he had an opinion, but instead, she found herself looking at Lewis, who had stepped into her line of sight.
Keira cleared her throat awkwardly.
Just as she was about to turn away, Ryan stepped forward, entering her view again. He gently toyed with the beads on his wrist, his voice calm as ever. âShe wonât.â
âPay up.â
Ellieâs voice cut through the air, as cold as ice.
Darien looked frantic. âIâI donât have any more money!â
Ellieâs tone was flat. âYou can always sell some of your luxury goods to cover the bill.â
Darien instinctively grabbed his wrist, where a designer watch clungâa gift from Ellie worth over a hundred grand.
It was his last remaining asset, the one thing that allowed him to keep up appearances.
Ellieâs family was influential, and she had always been discreet about her wealth. Even she didnât flaunt expensive brands. The watch had been something sheâd saved up to give him, but looking back, it felt like such a waste.
Despite being with him for three and a half years, Ellie hadnât spent all that much on Darien.
At most, it added up to about half a million, some of which had already been blown on frivolous expenses.
And the restâŠ
Ellieâs eyes settled on the watch.
The manager stepped forward.
Reluctantly, Darien removed the watch from his wrist and handed it over, his face full of anguish.
The manager appraised it. âA hundred grand, which still leaves you over two hundred short. Mr. Britt, you wouldnât want to lose a leg over this, would you?â
Darien stammered, âBut, but Iâm broke! I donât have any more!â
Ellie snorted. âOf course, youâre broke, Darien. You spent all your money on Mollie, didnât you?â
Darienâs gaze immediately darted to Mollie.