Chapter 92
Outside the entrance to the apartment building, Sloane slowed to a stop. "Isn't that Elias? What's he doing here?" she asked, her brows knitting together as she shot Emilia a curious look.
"I guess he's probably here for me," Emilia replied, her tone thoughtful as she considered the possibility that Elias wanted to talk about the Asclepius treatmnent. She couldn't imagine any other reason he'd be waiting outside her building.
A hard edge settled in Edwin's eyes as he glanced at Elias, who sat quietly in his wheelchair a short distance away.
Was this the legendary Elias Dixon from Anburith's most powerful family?
Edwin pressed his lips together and made sure not to drift far from Emilia's side.
It amazed him,sometimes, that Emilia's life had become so entwined with someone like Elias-a man who'd always lived surrounded by wealth and privilege.
A subtle shadow flickered in Edwin's expression. No matter how hard he tried, he'd never rise to Elias's level. He could give everything he had and still come up short against someone who'd always belonged to society's elite.
In a world where men like Elias stood at the top, what hope did someone ordinary like him have?
The thought of ever taking Emilia away from Élias seemed almost laughable.
As worry crept into his chest, Edwin's lips faded to white. His hands clenched and loosened in turn, weighed down by a deep sense of defeat.
Surpassing Rodger had already seemed like a long shot, but now Elias stood in the way too.
While Edwin wrestled with these uneasy thoughts, Emilia approached Elias without hesitation. "Mr. Dixon, I haven't decided yet." "I understand," Elias replied, his eyes as cold and sharp as steel, locking onto Edwin with chilling intensity.
When Edwin met that cold stare, an involuntary shiver crept down his back.
The weight of Elias's presence was almost suffocating.
But Edwin refused to back down. He returned Elias's gaze with quiet resolve, a flicker of determination burning in his eyes.
Regardless of how outmatched he felt, he had to keep fighting for his place. If he didn't even try, he would lose any chance to stand with Emilia.
Catching the tension in the air, Emilia turned to Sloane and suggested; "Why don't you take Edwin upstairs first? I need to talk to Mr. Dixon alone."
"Come on." Sloane nodded in agreement and motioned to Edwin. "Let's head inside."
She couldn't help but notice how striking Edwin looked, his quiet loyalty to Emilia a far cry from Rodger's reckless ways
Even without flashy clothes or money, Edwin had an unspoken charisma-a presence that set him apart.
"I'll go clean up first," Edwin said quietly, his voice soft just for her as he offered Emilia a gentle smile.
Elias felt his ears burn at Edwin's words.
Was the guy deliberately challenging him?
A faint crease appeared on Elias's brow, and his grip tightened on the arms of his wheelchair.
Didn't Edwin have a place of his own? Why was he heading upstairs with Sloane, acting like he belonged there?
"Go on, then," Emilia said, watching as Edwin and Sloane disappeared into the building.
She'd already bought Edwin a couple of new outfits, tossing the egg-stained shirt straight into the trash.
"You know Edwin?" Emilia asked, turning back to Elias without bothering with small talk as she caught the way he had looked at Edwin.
"No. We've never met," Elias answered, his tone flat.
"For a moment, I assumed you two might be acquainted," Emilia remarked in an even tone. "Is there anything else, Mr. Dixon? Otherwise, I'll be going upstairs now."
A chill settled over Elias, his jaw tightening as his lips formed a hard, silent line.
Did Emilia truly want nothing to do with him?
He watched Edwin walk in so easily-invited, accepted, even trusted enough to head upstairs and clean up-while he remained outside, unwelcome.
The thought nagged at him-childish, yet hard to ignore. Why was he stuck outside while someone else walked right in? His lips parted, but the words never came.