Chapter 14 Mocking Him

Edward's gaze remained fixed on Nanci, and as she spoke, some wild thoughts surfaced in his mind again.

His lips slightly curved, and his voice was cold as he said, "No."

"But you..."

"However, Miss Ross must know the Ross family," he stated in a deep voice, quite certain.

With these words, all eyes turned towards Nanci, who raised her eyebrows slightly. "I was merely suggesting!"

"Yeah, I don't think she could possibly know anyone from the Ross family."

"But Amelia knows them."

Everyone was stunned.

Various glances were cast towards Amelia.

Amelia appeared confused for a few seconds, then affirmed, "Yes, I do know Brian Mathis. Our dealings are straightforward. Whatever he can do, he gets paid for."

After a moment of silence, Sally spoke first, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "You know Brian Mathis?"

Gordon also looked incredulous. "Amelia, this is no joking matter!"

"Dad, when have I ever lied?"

Amelia, though undisciplined and frivolous, had never stooped to lying since her childhood.

Furthermore, she had always loved her grandfather and would not joke about such matters.

Seeing that the matter was settled, and having fully understood Grandpa Underwood's illness, Nanci decided it was unnecessary to stay in such a stifling environment and suggested leaving.

Gordon expressed his gratitude politely and had the butler escort her out.

Edward stood still, his scrutinizing gaze lingering on Amelia for a few seconds before he finally decided to follow Nanci out.

Seeing the situation turn dire, yet unable to extricate herself, Amelia urged Sally, "Hurry up! Go after him!"

Sally hesitated to ask, "Why?"

"The backyard is so big. What if Edward can't find his way out?"

It didn't matter if he couldn't find his way, but finding Nanci would be problematic.

Sally was timid.

Although she was interested in Edward, she dared not approach him due to his cold demeanor, and her modesty prevented her from pursuing him.

"Nanci is Edward's ex-wife. Aren't you afraid they might rekindle the romance if left alone?" Amelia added fuel to the fire.

As soon as Amelia finished speaking, Sally was already gone from the spot.

It was only then that Gordon realized the identity of Amelia's friend. "Amelia, is Miss Ross the wife Edward has been hiding at home?"

"Don’t make it sound like Edward is so fond of her."

The Underwood family was too busy with their own issues to inquire further into the young people's affairs.

He merely made a brief mention before dropping the subject.

Meanwhile, Simon, upon hearing this, looked thoughtful.

As Nanci just stepped out of the manor, she heard a clear, irritated voice behind her. "Nanci!"

Her heart leaped, and she quickened her pace.

The footsteps behind her grew louder.

She didn't need to look to know that Edward was quickly approaching her.

Nanci shuddered, speeding up her steps.

Her attempt to escape was obvious, and before long, her wrist was seized, and she tried to shake off the man in a panic.

But the physical disparity was too great.

The next second, she was pushed against a nearby wall. His tall figure loomed over her. His eyes were deep and his breath was cool, as if enveloping her in the darkness.

In their three years of marriage, aside from in bed, they had never been this close.

At that moment, the man held her shoulder with one hand and her waist with the other, his faint, cool fragrance continually assaulting her senses.

"Why run? Feeling guilty?" His voice was cold and ambiguous.

Nanci, under the oppressive gaze, grew nervous, forcing herself to stay calm. "Guilty of what? Mr. Clarkson, how could a man of your stature possibly hold it against me because of the nonsense I spewed in a moment of panic the other day!"

She meant to imply that her guilt about previously yelling at him was the reason for her flight.

Edward's lips twitched slightly as he looked down at her. "Is that so? I certainly wouldn't hold it against you."

"Then why..."

"But I don't know you actually had an interest in medicine! And you’re so familiar with the Ross family's secret formula!"

Nanci looked up, her gaze meeting his deep, tranquil blue eyes.

It was like a storm was brewing within them.

Her thoughts fluttered, and she abruptly pushed him away, retreating to a distance of two meters. "Don't talk as if you know me so well! Edward, why did we marry three years ago? We both know the reason. Have you played the role of my husband for so long that you might actually believe it now?"

Edward's eyes narrowed slightly and dangerously.

These were the exact words she had thrown back at him the night before they signed the divorce papers.

He met her mocking, cynical gaze, which no longer held any affection, as cold as if she were a stranger. Connecting the stark contrast before and after they obtained their divorce decree, a ludicrous thought crazily popped into his mind.

"Did you want a divorce, looking for trouble that night on purpose?"

He had occasionally thought of Nanci these days.

But none of the memories from these three years were as profound as the day of the divorce.

She looked radiant, her eyes full of bright light, as if she had escaped some bondage, standing in the sunlight, dazzlingly bright.

Belatedly, he realized that he had been emotional throughout the entire divorce process.

And every step had been manipulated by this woman.

Nanci raised an eyebrow slightly, her smile extremely perfunctory. "Why would I? I was only doing what a wife should do. Shouldn't I ask about an affair when my husband is involved? But I never imagined that just by asking, I would end the marriage I carefully maintained for three years!"

"Are you sure you didn't expect it?"

"Of course! Otherwise, why would I deliberately leave without a penny?"

A very plausible excuse, but Edward felt something was off.

It was only now that Edward realized he didn't truly know the woman he had shared a bed with for three years.

He closed his eyes, not wanting to dwell on these pointless matters anymore. "Where is Brian? What is your relationship with him?"

Before Nanci could speak, he continued, "Don't try to brush me off. Grandmother's condition is very bad right now. If you have any conscience left, give me his number!"

"To think I would upset Olivia enough to make her sick, and you ask me about conscience."

Edward was left speechless.

He remembered the incident at the hospital that day. He could now be 80% sure it was Nanci who had brought the medicine to his grandmother.

He had some idea of what Elizabeth and Sophie had been up to these past years.

He simply found it bothersome, choosing to turn a blind eye.

The incident at the hospital infuriated him, leading him to actually believe Nanci had complained and upset his grandmother. Now, this woman was using that incident to mock him.

"What exactly do you want? An apology from me?"