Chapter 12 - 11: You Are Mine

"Pikachu~ Pika Pika~" Just thinking about it, suddenly the phone rang, scaring Elliana Lyle into a jolt. She hurriedly picked up her phone and instinctively pressed the volume button. She saw it was an unknown number, international even, and hesitated, but still answered it. "Hello?" Elliana spoke first, unsure who might be calling. "Hello, is this Miss Kitty? I saw you were looking for a private investigator online. When shall we meet? Or you can just send me the details." The woman’s voice on the phone was clear and crisp, yet carried a tone of arrogance. Elliana was momentarily at a loss for words; this person seemed very confident, so she asked, "Why should I trust your abilities?" "Then give it a try, but." The voice paused, then continued, "Send the money first." This statement made Elliana laugh; she suddenly felt this was a bit of a joke, seemed like a scam. "Don’t think I’m a scammer, Miss Kitty. I’m very busy, you have three days to consider." After saying it so casually, Elliana heard a beep-beep as the call was hung up. Simply speechless. ... The next day. Elliana woke up early and started texting Mr. Lyle. She hadn’t slept well all night, now waking up to such a distressing matter. Buzz Buzz~ Dad: "How can you not attend your grandmother’s birthday, being a senior family member?" Hmm... Elliana wanted to say something else, but indeed had no reason to refuse. Tomorrow was her grandmother’s seventieth birthday; she must return to the old Lyle family house, though her grandmother was difficult. Not only reclusive, but also favored boys over girls, most favored was the oldest uncle’s family because the uncle had a son, yet Joy Lyle was the only one overlooked by the old lady in uncle’s family. And if there’s anyone least favored, it would be her. She should have had a younger brother, but Elliana’s mother had to sacrifice the child to save herself during childbirth. This made the old lady despise her even more, insisting that four-year-old Elliana was responsible for the death. The old lady’s ideas were deeply ingrained, rendering Ellie speechless yet powerless to change them. So in her past life, every interaction between grandmother and granddaughter was filled with sarcasm and sniping, naturally with Elliana receiving scolding from everyone, severely enough to be hit. However, in her past life, due to losing her parents, she didn’t attend this grand birthday celebration. Now it seems too many changes will occur. "Ah, so annoying~" The more Elliana thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. Why couldn’t she reincarnate a few years younger? It made her aware of nearly nothing, what’s even the point of reincarnation! But... it’s not entirely awful, just that the timing of reincarnation is a bit off. As she pondered, Mr. Lyle sent several more messages to her, reminding her she must go, that she should be sensible and all. She replied simply, and got up; early today, Norman Bennett hadn’t gone to the office yet, still sitting in the living room downstairs. Standard setup, coffee and a computer. "Norman Bennett, morning." Elliana leaned over the railing, greeting him cheerfully. Norman glanced back at her, responded blandly with a good morning, then returned his gaze to the computer. It felt strange; Norman hardly looked at her today, even seemingly avoiding her. Her intuition told her Norman was, not, right, today! Out of curiosity, Elliana quickly ran downstairs, heading straight to the man, staring directly at him with her big eyes. "Sit down." Norman, staring at the computer screen, commanded the little girl. Yet, the little girl wasn’t moved, still looking at him curiously. Norman had no choice but to look up at her, her eyes curious and inquisitive. "What’s up?" He asked. "Nothing." Elliana said lightly, yet kept staring at Norman, seemingly trying to see through the man before her. Facing such a gaze, Norman appeared uneasy, seemingly holding an inexplicable desire towards this little girl, different from before. "Come, sit next to me." Norman softly patted the sofa, inviting her to sit. "Nope." Elliana replied, turned around to run. She felt she was overthinking and happened to want to go to the bathroom urgently. Yet, in that moment she turned, the man’s big hands grabbed her wrist gently, pulling her into his arms. "Norman, what are you doing!" Elliana was startled, almost thinking she was going to fall, but Norman caught her. "Look at me." Norman’s words quieted the girl in his arms. Elliana looked up at the man; his cold expression, brow slightly furrowed, revealing a hint of restraint. "Why look at you? Because you’re handsome." Elliana’s face turned red in an instant. Norman’s tight lips accentuated his stern look; those very soft thin lips, Elliana had tasted in the meeting room. Seeing he was close, Elliana had no mood for it. She was really feeling the urgency. She swiftly broke free from his grasp, rushed away, shouting, "Can’t hold it, bye." The girl ran in panic, like a rabbit escaping a wolf’s mouth. What did the rabbit mean by couldn’t hold it? By the time Elliana returned, Norman was already ready to leave. "Norman, I need to tell you something. I’m leaving tomorrow for my grandmother’s seventieth." Elliana said. Norman showed no sign of reaction, only nodded slightly, saying, "Hmm, I’ll accompany you in the afternoon." "You’re going too?" Elliana was visibly surprised. Why would Norman go! "Naturally." Norman replied nonchalantly. Elliana immediately got anxious, retorted, "You can’t go!" She hadn’t forgotten last year’s incident, when they celebrated her grandfather’s birthday! Her second aunt’s daughter Ada Lee fell for Norman at first sight, and they were not particularly close. And last year Ada Lee constantly followed Norman, while the old lady intended for Elliana to break off the engagement with Norman and betroth Ada to him. It was laughable that in her past life, she thought the old lady’s idea wasn’t bad! "What’s the matter?" Norman looked at the little girl in confusion. Why did she suddenly have a tantrum? Despite pursing her lips, her little face showed a bit of grievance. Elliana fiercely said, "No means no, you’re not allowed to go!" The little girl’s aggressive demeanour resembled an angry kitten, baring her teeth, yet harmless, unknowingly stirring someone’s heart. "Reason." Norman didn’t compromise; he wanted to know the reason, though he guessed part of it. "Because... because there will be someone hovering around you, being overly attentive!" Elliana grew more irritated, feeling Norman attracted butterflies, restless. Suddenly more wronged, as if Norman abandoned her. "You mean Ada Lee? Hmm?" Norman raised an eyebrow, teasing the little girl. Sure enough, hearing that name ignited Elliana, as if confirming something, "See! You still remember her!" "Last year, who locked me and Ada Lee in a room? Hmm?" Norman interrogated, voice carrying a hint of seriousness. He drew closer to her, an overwhelming pressure made Elliana shrink, yet she muttered evasively, "I didn’t mean to..." Weakening as she spoke. Elliana simply stopped talking, huffed righteously, "Hmph, I don’t care about you anymore." "Go change, come with me to the company, I’ll take you to choose a dress at noon." Norman reached out to pat the girl’s head. Seeing her still upset, Norman couldn’t help but find it amusing. Whose fault was it, yet this girl was more upset than him. "You’re my wife, Norman’s wife, be good, go change." Norman lowered his voice to soothe her. Elliana bit her lip; Norman’s words pleased her greatly. She cheerfully "warned" Norman: "Then don’t talk to her much!" "Hmm, you decide." Norman reached out to stroke her head; though his face showed little expression, his attitude was indulgent.