A Love Forgotten (Arianna and Elijah)
Chapter 229

Chapter 229

I asked, worried, "Why put so much pressure on him? He's still young'

Logan glanced down at his iPad casually, "Nah. He's already a teenager. Besides, we can't i

1 risk him turning out like another ungrateful member of the Linden family

His words rattled me

The arrangements for Evan were finalized. He would stay in the doses, but on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends, he'd be at my place for t

On the surface, he and Logan kept their distance from each other, but I knew Logan didn't really mind having this "plus one" around.

He had Camden find a few top-notch tutors for Evan. Evan, for his part, dropped the rebellious athrude and buckled down to study. And as for me, I quietly waited for my first out-of-cout

for tutoring

settlement with Elijah

The day for our settlement meeting came quickly. For some reason, I had tossed and tumed the entire night and showed up the next morning looking rough

1 gritted my teeth and forced meself awake with a strong cup of coffee

Lerlooked at me with concern. "Ms. Yerk, you don't look well. Maybe you should skip today?"

I shook my head, "I just want this over and done with 17 be fine"

After finishing my coffee, I felt a little more ascake.

When it was about time, Carides

to pick me up. He explained, "Mr. Wood said you just need to trust Mr. Webb. He won't be attending the

session with you."

1 nodded. Logan had to keep his distance. If he showed too much interest, it could complicate things. Besides, Ponathan would be going with me. I wasn't walking in defenseless

the courthouse mediation room, I saw Elijah already there with his lawyer. He looked rough too-his eyes ringed with exhaustion and his unshaven jaw dack with stubble He looked up at me, his gaze conflicted.

The mediation began with the mediator going over the process, and then each lawyer presented their client's proposals.

I'd already seen Elijah's proposal. Nothing too surprising. But he had added stipulation for me to publicly clear his name, stating that our split was mutual and that he hadn't cheated. I laughed, "Mr. Linden, do you think there's any point in clearing things up now?

Elijah's voice was raspy. "Whether it makes a difference or not, I just want this mess over with. So, I hope you'll cooperate"

I firmly shook my head, "I won't agree."

A vein bulged on his forehead. "Ariana, don't push it."

I shot back, "What do you mean by me pushing it? Why don't you get Jocelyn to make a statement? Let her admit she was talking nonsense in the first place."

Elijah fell silent. After a long pause, he muttered, "Ja need to uphold her public reputa

1 laughed bitterly. Right, I had no "reputation".

Jocelyn could throw a fit and delete her posts like nothing ever happened. But somehow, I was the one expected to clean up the mess so they could move on to their perfect little future. How Elijah saw my resistance. Frustrated, he sighed. "Fine. We'll leave that clause up for negotiation."

The meeting continued, with both sides clashing over my third proposal. Eventually, Elijah himself hadto jump into the debate

He demanded, "Alana, I've already agreed to pay you back. Why are you making this so hard?"

Disappointment flickered in his eyes. "Are you trying to ruin me and Linden Group?"

I stayed silent

Mr. Webb spoke up politely, "Mr. Linden, please recognize a fact-five years ago, if it hadn't been for Ms. York's investment, Linden Group would've gone under," Elijah was stunned

Looking at his familiar but now distant face, memories flashed in my mind.

"A Linden Group would've gone bankrupt if it weren't for you. I'll take goodcare of you, Ari. I know you really love me."