Chapter 63

In the fragrant garden. Jennifer paced back and forth, trying to figure out how to handle the whole mess with Shirley drugging Patrick. It was a real headache.

Suddenly, an idea hit her. 'To know the whole story, it's better to just ask Elbert; he won't lie.' She quickly had Kathy call Elbert over. Elbert walked while nodding awkwardly, as if unable to control his movements. Jennifer waited until he finished the tea on the table before speaking up. "Where did you take Patrick today?"

Elbert, who had been the Rivera family's driver for twenty years. always told the truth to Jennifer and Patrick, no matter what. Even when Shirley told him to keep quiet, he never hid anything.

"Madam, Mr. Rivera wasn't feeling well today. He asked me to take him to the hospital," Elbert explained, trying his best to lay it a1l out. But Jennifer still couldn't quite piece it together. She knew Elbert well enough to trust that he would never harm Patrick, even if it cost him his own life.

"And then?" she pressed.

"Shirley showed up, Mr. Rivera got better, but then he got mad and told me to come back," Elbert answered honestly.

Jennifer was still puzzled. She motioned for Rex to pour another cup of red tea for him. "Take your time, Elbert," she said with a smile.

Elbert took a sip and continued, "I was waiting in the car for Mr. Rivera,and I even brought the bottled water I specially prepared for him."

Jennifer's heart skipped a beat. How did Elbert find the time to prepare

bottled water? Something seemed off.

Noticing Jennifer was silent, Elbert continued. "After Mr. Rivera got in the car.I handed him the bottled water, just like Shirley told me to. I even emphasized that it was good for his health. At first, he didn't want to drink it. but he eventually took a few sips. So I'm very happy."

Jennifer's face darkened. "Go on. Elbert."

"After he drank the water. I saw in the rearview mirror that his cheeks turned red, he got a bit dizzy, and he started unbuttoning his collar."Elbert said. trying not to laugh.

Jennifer was starting to get the picture. She asked Elbert to continue."Seeing Mr. Rivera like that. I was worried but didn't want to bother you.So I called Shirley and told her what was happening. She told me to take him to Maple Peak Apartments and not to tell anyone, saying only she could help him."

Jennifer's mind raced. 'Shirley's trying to trap Patrick into mnarrying her!'she thought angrily.

She clenched the hem of her clothes, her anger clear. Shirley had gone too far this time, and Jennifer was ready to deal with her.

Jennifer took Elbert's phone and sent a message to Shirley.

Elbert: [Shirley, come back to the Rivera Manor quickly. I need you!]

Then she asked Elbert, "Do you still remember that old house of the Rivera family? The courtyard you used to love, where all the flowers were planted by you?"

Hearing the old house, Elbert's eyes immediately lit up. "Yes, Madam."

Jennifer continued. "Do you want to go back there? In this big Rivera Manor. do you feel like you and your daughter belong here?"

Jennifer was trying to use Elbert to get Shirley to back off and send her parents away to deal with the drugging incident.

But Jennifer underestimated Shirley. She wasn't just some ordinary girl.She had big ambitions. not just for Patrick but for everything the Rivera family had, including their wealth.

When they were kids. Shirley was several years younger than Patrick.Patrick was very busy with his studies and had no friends, except for Shirley, who would stick to him like a little tail. Patrick had a low tolerance for nonsense. so he hadn't made many friends growing up.

Although Jennifer thought Shirley wasn't particularly smart, there was something magical about her. Patrick didn't exclude Shirley from his life.Today's incident. which could really give Patrick a headache, was the first of its kind.

Jennifer's fingers gently tapped on the marble tea table. her well-manicured nails producing a crisp sound.

Shirley was restless in the room. When she saw a message from Elbert, she was startled. Elbert was like a ticking time bomb! If he let anything slip,both of them would surely be kcicked out!

Shirley immediately called Elbert back.

Jennifer answered the call and said, "Shirley, Elbert is insisting on going back to the old house. Come back quickly." Then she hung up. Shirley was puzzled, thinking, 'Why did Jennifer answer the call?' To figure out what was going on, she quickly drove back to the Rivera Manor.

After parking, Shirley hurried towards the manor and saw Jennifer and Elbert in the garden. She ran over and nodded respectfully to Jennifer.Jennifer waved her hand and said, "Shirley. Elbert just told me he urgently wants to go back to the old house. Do you know about this?"

Shirley almost stumbled. Although Elbert had mentioned this before, she had always managed to brush it off. She thought. 'Why is this coming up again?

Shirley replied, "Mrs. Hughes, my father might not be feeling well lately.You probably understand his condition better than I do. Please don't take it seriously."

Jennifer gently smiled. Shirley wasn't the naive girl she used to be, and there was no need to go easy on her anymore.

Jennifer coughed deliberately and continued, "Since Elbert wants to go back to his hometown, you should respect his wishes. Although we regret what happened in the past, as the head of the Rivera family, I still hope for the happiness and health of your family in the future. What do you think,Shirley?"

Feeling a bit cornered. Shirley agreed and said, "Ma'am, you're right. I'll discuss it with my father and make a decision."

Jennifer saw that the situation was under control and agreed. Shirley took Elbert back to the room, looking impatient. She asked, "Dad, what did you and Jennifer talk about? Why did she suddenly mention going back to the hometown?" Elbert stammered, "I just want to go back. Jennifer asked about Patrick's wound infection, and I told her the truth.".

Hearing this, Shirley felt a wave of anxiety. Had the truth come out? She glared at Elbert and thought, 'Their dad is loaded, while my dad is just a

total mess! Since Jennifer hadn't explicitly mentioned the drugging incident.

I'd play along and take Dad back to our hometown to cool things down and distance myself from the situation. Otherwise. I might lose everything.'

Later. Shirley returned to the estate and saw Jennifer having coffee.She approached Jennifer and said softly. "Mrs. Rivera. you're right. I've talked to my father, and we'll take him back to his hometown as soon as possible.After living together for so long, there are still many attachments."

Jennifer felt a warmth in her heart hearing this. Suddenly.Shirley stepped forward. hugged Jennifer, and said. "Thank you. Madam. After my father fell ill, my mother left without a word. If it weren't for you keeping me by your side all these years. I wouldn't have received such good care."