Ellison And Joycelyn: A Love Beyond The Rules

Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Her family was a pit of vipers, and the last thing she wanted was to drag him into their poison.

"If I cared about status, we wouldn't be married, Ellison stated, his handsfeatures cast in elevator shadows .47% "What?" She dabbed her eyes, studying him. She had always thought their marriage had been purely impulsive. She now wondered if he had investigated her background beforehand.

"No family could outrank mine." His voice carried no emotion beyond cold fact. "Protecting one's wife is basic duty." Relief and gratitude washed through her. Without him, things could have ended horrifically.

"Thank you." Her voice caught. "I thought marriage would fix everything Instead, I've only made it your problem too." She'd hoped marriage would be her escape from this toxic family, but now she'd dragged him into this mess.

"If you want-"she began softly.

"Enough," he cut off her attempt at offering divorce. "We're going home." The elevator doors opened and he released her hand.

Still overwhelmed by emotional pressure, she barely registered the loss of contact. Her spirits had hit rock bottom, and the thought of going hfilled her with dread.

Given Ellison's icy nature, he wouldn't simply tolerate being insulted by the Mercers and dismissed as a gold- digger. Their accusations had sown the seeds of their own destruction "Did you drive here?" She sniffled.

"Yes," he replied simply.

"They're probably watching from above. Your car would give everything away-maybe take mine?" she suggested.

His expression spoke volumes.

Eight faces pressed against upstairs windows as Ellison folded his frinto Joycelyn's tiny car.

"What a loser," Octavia sneered. “Wasting that pretty face on a nobody when she could've married money." Her plans to profit from Joycelyn's marriage were evaporating "Tomorrow we hit her office, Phineas spat. "Iris, stay out of it. This is for your own good-or she is a waste 4 faise." "But her job... Iris protested weakly.

"Not our problem anymore. She's married. You just need to focus on being my wife," Phineas commanded.

Iris didn't dare retort, her tears falling silently, You still have me, Moin; Octavia cooed, linking arms with her other. "We're family-we need you even if she doesn 12:54 Mon, Feb 10 0 Chapter 15 "At least you understand." Iris sighed.

Octavia smirked. She believed that Joycelyn wouldn't let her mother suffer alone.

☐☐ 4750 Ellison could barely sit straight in the cramped car. He'd already asked his assistant to retrieve the Rolls-Royce.

"You look quite uncomfortable. Want to wait while he gets the car? Joycelyn watched his granite profile nervously.

"Eaten yet?" He changed the topic.

"No." She shook her head. Having rushed over straight from work her stomach was too full of anger and anxiety to feel hunger. Im not hungry. Besides, I still need to buy bedding and stuff. You should go ahead and eat." "Let's eat together," he said, his face darkening. His curt tone matched his obvious discomfort.

"We could visit the grocery shop and cook at home?" she ventured.

"I don't cook." His brows furrowed slightly.

"I do! Pretty well actually-perfect way to thank you for the car. Her mood lifted slightly away from her family's toxicity.

"William stocked the house. He'll deliver whatever ingredients you need," he explained, speaking more than usual. It was unlike him to elaborate so much, but he seemed concerned she might misunderstand if he didn't.

"Isn't that awkward?" She hesitated. She understood the power of wealth and influence-one word from him and everything. would be taken care of But hav William Vance, his trusted right-hand man and a prominent figure in the company, handle their personal matters gave her pause. She worried their marriage wouldn't stay secret for long.

"It's fine. You probably prefer avoiding crowds too," she conceded "Just have him send what you like." He handed her his unlocked phone. "Call William." His focus remained on driving, profile unchanging.

"But... we agreed to keep this private. William..." she sputtered.

"He's my right hand. He knows more than you do," he said.

Ordering around an executive assistant still made her stomach kpot. “Could I just call while you tell him what to do?" she asked.

"Then we eat out." His patience visibly thinned.

Dreading public exposure more, she reluctantly dialed, telling William to have ingredients delivered for dinner at home, making sure to include whatever Ellison liked to eat.

"What about you? What do you like to eat?" Ellison asked at a red light.

"Oh... I'm not picky." Years of dependence had erased her preferences. Having enough was luxury enough.

Then we get the most expensive. His approach was straightforward-he never struggled with decisions. He either wanted everything, or he simply chose whatever was finest and most expensive.

12:54 Mon, Feb 10 0 Chapter 15 "Maybe sribs and steaks? Do you eat pork?" she asked.

247%

"It's easier to get used to luxury than to give it up, she mused. If Het my tastes get too expensive now, I'll struggle with simpler living later. Prbeef was usually too pricey for her to indulge in, so she only got to savor a taste every now and then.

His brow furrowed. "No." "Okay. What about curry? Like that curried lamb from the team dinner last time? I know how to cook," she probed.

"No." His face remained expressionless.

His flat tone and demeanor made her feel like she'd somehow offended him, sending a little flutter of anxiety through her stomach. "Okay, I didn't think you would," she muttered, quickly pressing her lips together and falling silent.

Of course not, she thought. He probably has steak and seafood for every meal. These simple.meal simple.

home-cooked dishes and. ordinary ingredients are probably beneath his notice "Any dietary restrictions? Favorites?" she tried again, wanting to know more about him.

"Not picky," canother curt response.

"Oh. She fell silent, reading his irritation.

"Not picky but no pork or curry?' she mused. He must define pickiness differently" 401 Meanwhile, William arrived at the designated spot for Ellison's Rolls-Royce just as Cedric posed with it, gushing like a fanboy "Life goals right here!" He preened, injury forgotten "Think of the chicks you'd pull bro!" his brother encouraged, They bounced around like starstruck teenagers, completely lacking class.

AD