Chapter 5 Meeting Elizabeth Fairchild

Blood rushed up to Taylor's nose as she tried to hold back her tears. As she moved her hand, something fell, producing a loud noise which caused Ava and the girl with her to turn towards her direction. Without thinking, Taylor turned and ran out.

Ramos, who was walking towards her direction, saw her and breathed out a silent sigh of relief. "Don't wander away from me tonight, Mrs. Radford."

Taylor nodded, turning her face away from him. Ramos thought he saw tears in her eyes and was about to take a closer look when he realized it was none of his business. It's not like the boss cares anyway.

"This way, please." He directed with his hands, bowing down a little. Then walked after her into the building.

As soon as she got in, Taylor noticed Ava was already seated beside Dante and the girl Taylor had seen with Ava, beside Ava.

Ava smiled at Taylor as soon as they made eye contact. Taylor balled her hand into a tight fist and refused to return the smile, much to the surprise of Taylor.

"What kind of party is this?" She asked Ramos.

"A small engagement party being hosted by your father." He gave a curt and short response.

The people in the room weren't more than fifteen. Hence, the round table could contain all of them. There were two empty seats which were obviously meant for Andrew and Taylor.

Ramos walked up to one of them and pulled it out for Taylor. As she sat down, Ava asked in a rather disappointed tone, "Taylor, it seems Andrew isn't here. Where could he have gone?"

The discussion among the individuals who had come, calmed down as they all looked at Taylor, the pity in their eyes evident.

Taylor glanced towards Ava, her eyes accidentally coming in contact with that of Dante's. She recalled the words Ava said a few ago. Dante was upset and angry with her, but wasn't showing it because Ava was pacifying him.

She breathed in and out numerous times, trying to calm herself. Digging her fingers into her gown, she forced on a smile as she retorted, "He's busy with work."

"Of course. He's got to work to provide for you." Dante butted in, then took his eyes off Taylor and got up.

Taking up his glass of champagne, he toasted, "I hosted this little party for two reasons. Firstly, to tell my close friends that what they've heard about Taylor Fairchild getting married to Andrew Radford is true!"

He paused to let his words sink in before continuing. This time, he glanced at the girl beside Ava with a proud smile.

Pointing at her, he revealed, "And my second announcement for the night is to introduce my second daughter, Elizabeth Fairchild, to the world. She's been in New York all these years, and she recently completed her studies, which now makes her a certified surgeon!"

The vigor he used in saying those words caused everyone around him to applaud her. Elizabeth got up with a smile, bowing a little to them.

"Wow, Mr. Fairchild, I've been with you all these years, and you never said anything about having a second daughter. Not just a second daughter but a surgeon at that!" One of Dante's associates, exclaimed in admiration.

"I have a surgeon friend, and he doesn't fail to tell me how stressful it was when he was in school. You must be an intelligent one for seeing it through to the end." Another one congratulated her.

Elizabeth kept nodding to their praises with a smile, her bouncy red hair going up and down. Elizabeth was a beauty and from a closer look, Taylor noticed she looked a lot like Ava.

She even got the red hair gene from Dante, which naturally hinted to everyone whose daughter she was. But she had deep brown eyes when Dante had blue eyes and Ava, a grayish kind of eyes.

Taylor didn't think much about it as she concluded Elizabeth must've gotten it after her maternal grandparents since her own grandparents both had blue eyes.

"Taylor, I came into town last night and mother filled me in on everything that's been happening here in California. I also heard that you're an actress. I indulged in it a few years ago, so you can talk to me about a thing or two." Elizabeth smiled, referring to Taylor.

Taylor snapped out of her reverie and refused to return Elizabeth's happy countenance as she looked away in a manner everyone termed as rude.

Dante immediately flared up, "And what do you think you're doing, treating your sister that way! Did the manners you learned from childhood fly out the window over the years as I overlooked your chivalrous attitude?"

Taylor's breath hitched as she looked at her father in disbelief. His eyes were red and he seemed furious. She was used to seeing him angry, but this was the first time he had ever used such a tone when addressing her.

So, it was really true he was secretly resenting her for everything he had gone through.

"Father, I..." She tried to say, when he impatiently cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"Save your explanations and apologize to your sister right now for how you just treated her. She may be your younger sister, but as an elder sister, shouldn't you be setting an example for her to follow?"

As he spoke, Taylor saw no warmth in his eyes, only the hatred he had been concealing from her all these years. When exactly did he begin to resent her?

"Why should I apologize when I did nothing wrong, father. Yes, you did teach me to own up whenever I did something wrong, but you never taught me to take the blame for anything and apologize easily." Her eyes gleamed sadly. Biting back the tears threatening to fall for the second time that evening.

"What are you trying to say? That you were right for not greeting your sister properly and for ignoring her when she took the initiative to greet you? Have you gone nuts!"

Taylor was suddenly overwhelmed with emotions. This was her second day as a married woman and her father didn't bother asking her how the night had been for her, despite knowing fully well Andrew was a psychopath.

She could understand Ava's reason for not really bothering, but Taylor didn't believe there'd be a time when her father, who loved her so much, wouldn't care about her well-being.

In the heat of the matter, Elizabeth suddenly grasped Dante's right hand and said reassuringly, "There's no reason for big sister to apologize to me. She did nothing wrong, but even if she has to, it can be done in private."

Dante sighed silently. If only he had known sooner about Elizabeth's existence, he would've taken better care of her instead of the ingrate sitting across from him.

But no worries, now that he knew he had such an excellent daughter, he'd quit putting up with the loser daughter who has done nothing but bring him troubles.

"She embarrassed you in public, she will apologize to you in public." Dante hissed, aggressively snatching away the hand Elizabeth held, pinning his threatening gaze on Taylor.

"The rumors said Taylor was polite and obedient. I didn't think they'd be such a stark contrast between what she portrays online and reality. What a pity."

"I'm just glad Mr. Fairchild now has a child to fall back on when he advances in age. When I heard Taylor decided to be an actor instead of doing something better with her life, I was more than disappointed."

"She chose a useless career, and now she's married to a psychopath, serves her right. I bet she thought everything would continue being served to her on a platter of gold."

"Father, it's really okay. I have no issues with big sister and since it's my first day, I do not wish to get into her bad book." Elizabeth fidgeted, looking like she feared something.

It was no news that Taylor was used to getting whatever she wanted and doing whatever she pleased simply because she had Dante backing her. In other words, she was a bully.

Naturally, everyone understood what she meant and Dante pulled Elizabeth closer, rubbing her back protectively. He kissed her forehead as he promised, "There's no reason to worry about her. I'll protect you and give you whatever you want."

Taylor, who was barely trying her best to ignore the words being said, couldn't sit still when this happened. She pushed back her chair noisily and left.

"What a disrespectful little brat! She dares to leave when her elders are still talking!" Someone humphed in disdain.

Elizabeth wrapped her hands around Dante's neck, making them embrace each other fully. As her eyes followed a furious Taylor out, the corners of her lips curled up into a taunting smile.

Your reign is over, Taylor. Now, all you have to do is stay married to your ugly gnome of a husband while I offer father the best son-in-law in California.

Due to Andrew's sensitive image, not many people knew what he looked like.

Hence, numerous people entertained the thought he was short and extremely ugly, which was why he didn't dare show what he looked like to the outside world.

A thought which made Elizabeth delighted as she thought of the handsome man she had in mind to marry.