The Heiress's Second Chance At Vengeance (Eliza) novel Chapter 542

542 An Uneasy Alliance

Eliza kept her thoughts to herself, not letting them show on her face.

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Vivian, however, clearly sensed she was being excluded. From the moment breakfast began, Cramer hadn’t once invited her to sit with them.

As a fellow woman, Eliza said, “Mr. Cramer’s fiancée is here. Miss Vivian, won’t you join us?”

Vivian’s expression softened with gratitude at Eliza’s words, but she still cast a timid glance at Cramer before answering, “I already ate before I came.”

“Our family’s rule,” Cramer said evenly, “is that an engaged couple may not eat at the same table. Even after marriage, I eat first, she eats later.”

Eliza had never heard of such a custom before — it was nothing short of a patriarchal household.

Vivian, however, seemed accustomed to it. Before coming to the Cullinan family, Wendy had already explained all of their rules to her in detail. She had prepared herself for this.

By saying this aloud, Cramer was essentially humiliating her in front of outsiders.

Vivian kept her head lowered. “If I want to become Madam Cullinan, these are things I should do. Thank you, Ms. Eliza. I’ll work hard to be a good daughter–in–law to the Cullinan family.”

She stood meekly by, even serving food to Eliza and Nolan like a servant.

–

Cramer, across the table, ate leisurely as if nothing were unusual after all, his mother had spent her life serving the Cullinan men in exactly the same way.

Eliza disliked seeing a woman bow and scrape like this, but Vivian was clearly doing it of her own accord.

“Miss Vivian, the master needs to discuss important matters with the guests. Please come with me,” a servant said, ready to lead her out.

Vivian’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but no matter how wronged she felt, she swallowed it in silence and followed.

Once she had gone, Eliza asked, “Mr. Cramer, don’t you think this is a bit too cruel for such a young woman?”

“I don’t,” Cramer replied bluntly. “I think what we should be talking about now is how to deal with Wendy.”

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16:04 Wed, Sep 3

Chapter 542 An Uneasy Alliance

That was, after all, the main reason Eliza and Nolan had come to the Cullinan estate.

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Cramer smiled. “I know Ms. Eliza was once engaged to Henry of the Foster family, which makes us connected through my stepmother. You want to take Wendy back, and I want her gone from this country forever. Our goals are the same – but her influence here may be more deeply rooted than you

“How so?” Eliza asked.

think.”

“As the Foster family’s eldest daughter, Wendy was a sensation in Westbrook. With her beauty, men would chase her to the ends of the earth for a smile. After she married my father, he indulged her in everything. Through her skill in winning people over, she gathered loyal supporters abroad. Her social charm kept many men unmarried for over twenty years, all waiting for her. Her influence extends far beyond her position at Saint Corp.”

Although Cramer had already seized her authority at Saint Corp, that was only part of her power. She could live without the company but that didn’t mean she had no other forces behind her.

Eliza quickly caught his meaning. “You’re saying you want us to help you wipe out all of Wendy’s influence here?”

“Wipe out is a bit strong. I have some influence of my own in this country, but my intelligence network can’t match Mr. Hayes’s or the Sue family’s. I simply want to know exactly what forces she still commands here. Once I know, I can take them all out in one move.”

He smiled. “If we join forces, Wendy’s people will be gone in no time. Once she’s isolated, it’ll be much easier for you to take her away.”

It was an attractive offer

—

one Eliza saw no reason to refuse.

“Alright. Then here’s to a pleasant cooperation.”

She extended her hand. Cramer glanced at Nolan, clearly waiting for his agreement.

“Her words are my words,” Nolan said.

“Good. Let’s work together and eliminate all her forces as soon as possible.”

Cramer moved to shake her hand, but Eliza drew it back. “Before that, Mr. Cramer, I have a question for you.”

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