Elias’ Crimes and Punishments of Romance
Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 Here Comes the Love Rival

Amanda stormed away from the Winters Manor onto the deep, dark road. The more she thought aboutit, the angrier she became. Elias did not deserve to know about her child because he would never be agood father. Suddenly, a sense of chill enveloped her. She looked around, and not a single soul waspresent. This was Imperia’s known wealthy corner, so there were rarely any cabs since the city centerwas far away. She would have to walk until dawn to get there. As such, she fished out her phone to callfor help when she was interrupted by the honk from a car behind her, followed by the blinding car lights.A black Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped before her. The window rolled down, revealing Elias’ handsomebut shameless face. “Get in.” Without sparing him a glance, Amanda continued forward. “I don’t needyour help. Someone will come to get me.” He stopped the car and pushed the door open beforeapproaching her. Then, he carried her on his shoulder and returned to his car. Feeling her body inmidair, she was taken aback and subconsciously grabbed onto his suit. “Elias! Put me down! Why doyou even care about me? Don’t you remember we’re divorced?” She kept slamming her fists on hisbody. Unfazed, Elias placed her onto the passenger seat and leaned forward to buckle the seatbelt forher. At that moment, they were so close that Amanda could see the man’s thick eyelashes. “I broughtyou here, so I should bring you home safely. You’d better be good, or else I might move your mother’sashes.” After that threat, he closed the door and went to the driver’s seat. Her eyes widened indisbelief, baffled that he was using her mother to threaten her again. She looked at the man beside herand chastised, “Elias! I’ll never forgive you if you move my mother’s ashes!” However, the unperturbedman merely glanced at her. “That depends on your behavior.” When her mother passed away, Amandacould not afford to give her mother a burial. It was Elias who arranged everything and helped hermother rest in peace. Thus, it was outrageous how he used a dead person against her for hisconvenience. What a sc*mbag. Buzz— Buzz— Elias’ phone displayed Grace’s incoming call on thescreen. Noticing the name, Amanda felt a pang in her heart. This is the woman Elias has in his heart…He did not hesitate and answered the call. Then, he heard Grace’s gentle voice from the other end.“Elias, I had dinner with the film crew tonight and drank some wine, so I can’t drive home. Can you pick

me up?” “I’m not available right now. I can get someone to send you home, though.” “I don’t want that. Iwant you. I’m drunk. How could you feel assured to let someone else take me away…” He stayed silentbefore instructing her, “Send me your address and wait for me there.” “Sure. I’ll wait for you.” After thecall ended, Elias continued to drive. Since it was dead silent inside the car that one might even hear apin drop, Amanda naturally deduced the caller’s voice belonged to Grace. Her voice was gentle andsweet, like a woman in a happy relationship. Huh. I guess this is the stark difference between beingloved and tolerated. He makes it so clear with his patience with Grace, but he barely made an effort toreturn home during our one-year marriage. Just thinking about it depressed her. She looked out thewindow and bit her lower lip, letting her thoughts go wild. The man behind the wheel suddenly asked,“Whose existence were you referring to earlier? Who is ‘he’?” “What?” Amanda was momentarilystunned and looked at the man’s perfect, chiseled side profile. “You said I will never get to know hisexistence. So, who is he?” She fixed her gaze on the fleeting scenery outside. “No one.” Curiosity didnot get the best of him, so he halted his follow-up questions. Fine. I don’t care. At that moment,Amanda’s phone rang. She looked at it and saw it was from Helean. She answered without hesitationbut soon regretted it when she heard Aiden’s voice coming from her phone. “Mommy! When are youcoming to get me? Did you forget about me?” She reflexively covered the phone’s speaker and glancedat the man, afraid he would overhear the child’s voice. OK. No fluctuations. Eyes still on the road.Phew. She turned her back to him and whispered into the phone, “I’m coming to you now. See youlater.” Once done, she decisively hung up, not giving the child any chance to speak. That action piquedthe interest of the man in the driver’s seat. Is she seeing someone? “Was it a man or woman?” heasked. With a cold expression, she retorted, “What does it have to do with you?” Then, she received amessage from Helean. It was an address for a restaurant, probably where he was having dinner withAiden. “Sorry to trouble you, but please send me to Nycinth.” I wonder if my baby has been goodtonight. Meanwhile, Elias was intrigued. Nycinth? The address Grace sent me was also this restaurant.What a coincidence. … Half an hour later, the two arrived outside a restaurant named Nycinth. Amandahalf-heartedly thanked him. “Thank you.” She unlatched her seatbelt and alighted from the car beforeheading into the restaurant without turning back. The man could not help but scoff as he found her to

be more arrogant after the divorce. She used to be nice and never pulled a long face at me. Afterparking his car, he made his way toward the restaurant as well. When Amanda entered, she beganlooking for her baby, but before she could replace Helean and Aiden, she noticed Elias in the same spaceas her. “Why are you following me?” she questioned in a panic. Oh my, oh my. Why is he here?! Did Imake a slip-up earlier? Did he catch anything suspicious? He was displeased. “Me? I’m here to picksomeone up.” It was then a voice rang out. “Elias, you’re finally here!” Like a butterfly fluttering itswings, Grace threw herself into the man’s embrace and wrapped her arms around him. However, Eliasdid not have much of a reaction and calmly hummed in response. When she noticed Amanda out of thecorner of her eye, her smile instantly disappeared. “Elias, you… Why are you here… with your ex-wife?” Tears immediately welled up inside her puppy eyes. When Amanda saw that, all she wanted todo was burst into laughter. So, she knew about my existence long ago, but I was the only one late onthe memo. Elias immediately felt a headache coming because he hated explaining things the most. “Itwas just a coincidence. We met each other at the entrance.” That white lie relaxed Grace a little. “I see.I’m sorry I misunderstood you. You almost scared me to death. I thought you guys were contactingeach other again.” So… How was that not implying that Amanda was trying to seduce her man?