Chapter 167: The Day Paul Forgot to Man Up

Paul was left speechless. Gerardo let out a cold laugh. “So only officials can set fires, and common folks can’t even light a lamp? The Powell family sure knows how to throw its weight around, even trying to control my daughter.”

Paul’s lips tightened with frustration; his expression was defiant, but he didn’t dare talk back to Gerardo. The Powell family might be powerful, but Gerardo was a seasoned force in his own right.

Yunice’s mocking gaze swept over Paul. He was so used to pushing people around with his influence, it clearly never crossed his mind that there’s always someone stronger.

Gerardo and Kyla took their seats. Gerardo looked down at Elsie on the floor with disdain. “What did she do?”

One of Taylor’s assistants brought over a bag of herbal medicine. Taylor looked at Elsie and gave a chilling laugh. “This tramp got sneaky while working beside me—she secretly swapped out my meds, trying to make me ugly.”

Elsie shook her head from where she sat on the ground, eyes brimming with tears. “I didn’t…”

Taylor replied, “If I slapped you, that means I’ve got solid proof.”

A dagger landed in front of Elsie. She stared up at Taylor in shock. What did that mean?

Taylor said, “I don’t tolerate betrayal. You tried to hurt me, so I won’t let you off. I’ll leave you with two fingers as a warning, and then we’ll call it even.”

Elsie’s face went ghostly pale. She’d never imagined Taylor had figured out the meds had been switched—let alone caught her red-handed.

She quickly tried to defend herself. “Taylor, it really wasn’t me! You’re mistaken! If you don’t trust me, don’t you at least trust my brother? Didn’t you say you liked—”

Taylor cut her off with a swift kick, sending her sprawling. “What does your brother have to do with the stupid crap you pulled?”

Clutching her chest, Elsie winced. Taylor was way too domineering—there was no way to get out of this by playing the victim. She could only tremble and turn her tear-filled eyes toward Paul, locking onto him like she was gambling everything on his conscience. Is he really going to stand there and do nothing?

Paul’s face had darkened completely; his fists clenched tight at his sides. But even as his emotions hit the boiling point, he still didn’t open his mouth to admit their relationship. Gerardo and Kyla were sitting right there. If he said anything, it would be an admission that…

…Even without a word, Gerardo picked up on the unspoken tension. Elsie made a desperate plea: “Please help me!!”

Tarchon’s suspicion fell between the two of them. Perhaps sensing Elsie was in danger, Sayden murmured something unintelligible.

Elste took a breath, straightened her back, and spoke with a measure of defiance. “Tim is Paul’s fiancée.” She hoped revealing this would elicit some shock, or at least a bit of respect. Gerardo and Kyla immediately turned their eyes to Paul.

Even Taylor was taken aback. She just clenched her jaw and coldly asked one question. Then, seeing everything exposed, she cast a scornful glance toward Paul. He clenched his jaw, his eyes like a man finally accepting a heavy burden. His expression was one of dawning realization.

Bartholomew Yurice just foamed with laughter. Paul had always been spineless. He’d made a mistake, yet he faltered when it mattered most—letting two women tear each other apart while he remained silent. No matter who won, he wouldn't lose.

But she knew better—when you betray someone who truly cared, you’d get burned. His hard days were just beginning.

Elsie, however, hadn’t fully processed what was happening. Or maybe she had, and just didn’t want to believe it.

Taylor answered, “Funny thing—I’m also Paul’s fiancée. But at yesterday’s Penwell family dinner, you weren’t there. Why was that?”

Elsie stared at Taylor’s seemingly calm face. There was no way to keep pretending anymore. Her mouth opened, but only a guttural sound came out, like a wounded animal. She finally turned her head and looked at Paul.

“Paul, you betrayed me?” Her voice cracked with tears.

Paul’s eyes reddened too. He lowered his head and said nothing, wearing the pained expression of a man too heartbroken to speak.

The room fell into heavy silence. Finally, Gerardo gave his verdict. “Since she’s the Powell family’s future daughter-in-law…” The bet was settled.

So they were dragging Elsie away. Paul’s anger flared. “Mr. Gerardo!”

But Gerardo and Ayia stood up, giving him no chance to intervene. Taylor’s people moved fast. They shoved a rag into Elsie’s mouth and bound her up with thick rope. Elsie cried out through the gag, sobbing hysterically and pleading with Paul.

Paul’s face turned bright red. The moment Gerardo was out of sight, he spun around and lashed out at Taylor. “You’re a woman too—treating her like this only makes you look jealous and vicious. It just makes me like you even less.”