novelxo Chapter And Joycelyn 9
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Joycelyn's smile froze. She took back what she said about him not being petty.
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Ellison wanted to take her out for breakfast, but she absolutely refused to go with him, worried they'd be recognized. With no other choice, he went to get takeout instead.
"Don't even think about eating in the car," he warned, his perfectionism showing.
"I'll wait," she promised, hugging the paper bags despite her growing stomach. It wasn't until they reached city hall that she finally started wolfing down her breakfast.
The city hall proved wonderfully efficient-twenty minutes for paperwork, and that thin paper now declared them husband
and wife.
Staring at the marriage license, reality hit Joycelyn like a thunderbolt. She was now Mrs. Grant. She had actually gotten married, and to Ellison Grant of all people.
"What about your family?" The question slipped out before she could stop it
Just my grandmother. My parents passed early." His matter-of-fact tone masked any emotion. "TII take you to meet her."
His uncomplicated family structure surprised her. 'Much simpler than my mess, she thought with relief. "Great. Anything I should know?" she asked carefully.
Just convince her we're madly in love." His expression remained neutral despite the loaded request. Thirty minutes later, they reached the hospital. She spotted a shop outside the entrance. "Let me get some flowers-what's her favorite? And look, there's a grocery store-
"No need for that. Let's go straight up," he said.
"No way! Women love flowers. We need to show proper respect Her earnestness seemed to touch something in him. While Ellison appeared relaxed about the visit, Joycelyn felt nervous about meeting his grandmother, After all, the elderly lady was his only family-no parents, no siblings-and here he was, running this huge business empire. They must be close.
"Okay, I'll park the car and meet you inside," he said, pulling up to the curb so she could hop out.
"I can manage on my own,' she insisted, adjusting her mask nervously, clearly anxious about being recognized.
Instead of parking himself, he tossed his keys to a valet and followed her, hands in his packets, gaze coolly assessing her furtive glances around the lobby.
"Why are you here?" She moved like a guilty mouse evading a ca
"You don't know her preferences," he said, his eyes studying her with unreadable intensity.
"Oh, don't worry. No one can resist something beautiful after all she muttered, taking tiny steps to
maintain their distance. His eyes tracked her deliberate avoidance, expression unreadable
Passersby couldn't help staring-especially young women who whispered and pointed at his model- worthy looks. Only his
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Chapter 9
arctic aura kept them at bay.
"Here. Put it on." Joycelyn thrust an unopened mask at him. "You're too noticeable."
Am 1 that embarrassing?" he asked.
"No, it's just that you're too good-looking. What happened to keeping a low profile?" Her eyes darted nervously above her mask, her anxiety obvious despite half her face being covered.
Without a word, he grabbed the mask and slipped it on. The mask only enhanced his forbidden attractiveness, like a movie star trying-and failing-to go incognito.
Joycelyn overheard two girls nearby scrambling to get a good spot, buzzing about who this handsome guy was.
Her head dropped even lower, and she wished she could just disappear and get away from the gorgeous superstar beside
her.
Ellison shot the two girls a chilly glance. His imposing presence was enough to silence the chattering girls, who immediately cowered in fear.
"Wear a hat-next time, Mr. Grant," Joycelyn pleaded. "I hate attention." She wondered if she should be covered head to toe next time, though it was not like they would be going out together much in the future anyway.
"What did you just call me?" Ellison asked, his tone serious.
Sensing his approach, she looked up to meet his gaze. Feeling a shiver run down her spine, she blinked up at him. "Mr. Grant?
His eyes narrowed dangerously, a hint of displeasure darkening his otherwise composed features. The depth of his gaze carried an undeniable authority that made her feel inexplicably nervous.
Confused and flustered, she escaped to the flower shop, "Your belt pink camations, please!" she said to the salesperson
Ellison watched her careful selection with unexpected patience. After choosing the flowers, she wrote out a delicate card, and then they made their way to the hospital room.
Upstairs, Isolde's face transformed at their arrival. She had been eagerly awaiting their visit all morning, her previously sickly complexion brightening instantly.
"Hello, Grandma, I'm Joycelyn. Nice to meet you." She presented the flowers with a sweet smile. "Wishing you swift recovery and long health."
"Oh, my dear girl!" Isolde's eyes sparkled as she examined Joycelyn's face. Despite her hospital gown, she radiated elegant refinement without a hint of pretension
Isolde's personal caregiver-Luna Morrison-arranged chairs while taking their gifts.
"Honestly, this is so sudden-I haven't prepared properly." Isolde moved to remove her emerald bracelet and intended to give it to Joycelyn as a gift.
Recognizing its immense value, Joycelyn shot Ellison a panicked look.
"Keep your favorite bracelet, Grandma. A single piece hardly suffices as our marriage gift" He smoothly presented their marriage license instead
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Chapter 9
Isolde's face lit up as she adjusted her reading glasses.
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"So this is why you refused my matchmaking! Luna, keep this safe. Looking at it several times a day will
be better medicine than anything else!" She handed the precious document to Luna, clearly delighted.
But what about when we divorce? Joycelyn thought anxiously, her eyes following the marriage license as it disappeared into safekeeping. She tried catching Ellison's eye, silently pleading with him to intervene, but it was too late.