Married At First Sight Chapter 4201
Chapter 4201
Tatum looked at Elora, noticing a flicker of emotion in her eyes. There was affection, but it wasn’t strong enough yet. Right now, she still admired him more than anything else.
This wasn’t the right time to reveal the truth.
He needed to wait a little longer.
“Miss, you are also the most exceptional woman in my eyes, and I admire you even more.” Tatum’s voice was gentle. “You can be serious and distant at times, but to me, you’ve always been incredible.”
Since becoming her private chef, he had experienced her kindness firsthand.
And after learning that he was the sixth young master of the York family, her treatment of him didn’t change—if anything, she became even more considerate. When she said she already saw him as a friend, he believed her.
Because her attitude toward him was exactly that of a friend.
But he wanted more than friendship.
He wanted to be her husband—the man she would trust and love for a lifetime.
And he would return that love with unwavering devotion.
Elora smiled. “When I get serious, even my parents keep their distance. Alonzo and Angelo run away like mice escaping a cat. As the eldest daughter, I carry the weight of this family as its president. The pressure is enormous. And on top of that, I’m a woman. I don’t have anything against women, but let’s be real—society still does.
I have to work twice as hard as everyone else. If I’m not strong, firm, and commanding, I won’t be able to hold my ground.”
Tatum nodded. “In my family, my eldest brother carries that burden. He used to be just like you—serious, always wearing a stern expression. Even I, his own brother, would tense up around him, constantly watching my words and actions so I wouldn’t make mistakes and get reprimanded. My brothers and I aren’t afraid of our grandparents or our parents—but we all feared him.
But I know my brother wasn’t always that way. The pressure changed him over time. Slowly, he became cold.”
Elora gave a knowing smile. “Only people who’ve been through the same thing can truly understand. Is he still that way now?”
Tatum hesitated for a moment before answering. “In front of the family, he’s softened a lot—especially with my sister-in-law. Around her, he’s a completely different person. When he got married, I saw a side of him I never imagined possible. He dotes on her, loves her more than himself. She is his entire world.”
He wasn’t exaggerating.
Zachary loved Serenity with everything he had—more than he loved himself.
A man who cherished his wife above all else.
Elora sighed with envy. “Rosie told me about your brother’s love story. She also mentioned that all your married brothers are completely devoted to their wives. Not just them—most of the men in your circle seem to be the same. Guess it’s true what they say: birds of a feather flock together.”
Zachary and his friends were fiercely loyal to their wives, treating them like treasures.
And their closest friends were no different—men who truly valued and adored their partners.
Tatum smiled. “I can’t speak for everyone, but in the York family, we’ve always been like this. It’s a tradition—our men are devoted to their wives.”
As he said this, a warmth flickered in his eyes as he looked at Elora.
If he married her, he would dedicate himself to her, love her unconditionally, and cherish her for the rest of his life.
She was more than worthy of that kind of love.
Elora tilted her head slightly. “I remember you mentioning before that you had another reason for coming here—to pursue the woman your grandmother chose for you. Who is she?”
Tatum pulled his gaze away from her, picked up the bowl of sobering soup, and handed it to her without answering.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4202
Chapter 4202
Tatum said, “Miss, you should drink it now. If you wait too long, it’ll get cold.”
Elora took the bowl of soup and sipped it gracefully.
After finishing half the bowl, she set it down. “I’m a little drunk, but not completely. I can still walk on my own, and my mind is clear. I remember everything I did and said. Half a bowl is enough for me.”
It was late, and she didn’t want to drink too much liquid before bed.
“Tatum, whose daughter is your fiancée? Where is she? If you don’t mind, can you tell me?”
Elora was persistent. She had asked him before, but he never gave her a straight answer.
He always brushed it off, saying he wanted to focus on work first and that marriage wasn’t urgent. He reminded her that he was still in his twenties—his older brother didn’t marry until thirty. If he didn’t find a wife this year, he could wait a little longer.
Elora suddenly felt a pang of jealousy toward his fiancée. She didn’t have to do anything, yet she already had him.
She wondered what his fiancée had done to win his grandmother’s favor, enough for her to personally arrange the match and give him a one-year deadline to win her over.
He had already been working as her private chef for three months. That meant he had nine months left to fulfill his grandmother’s wishes.
A thought flickered in Elora’s mind—keeping him as her chef indefinitely. If he was always by her side, cooking for her every day, he wouldn’t have time to pursue his fiancée.
But just as quickly as the idea came, she dismissed it.
She didn’t want to be an obstacle in his life.
She admired him, maybe even felt something deeper for him. But that was because he was extraordinary—a man unlike anyone she had ever met. Still, she refused to be the other woman.
She didn’t need to be.
If he truly wanted to pursue his fiancée, she wouldn’t stand in his way.
Unless…
Unless he made his own choice—if he decided to reject his grandmother’s arrangement, abandon the pursuit, and declare that she was the one he loved. Then, she would fight for her happiness.
Because if he walked away from his grandmother’s plan, he would be single.
After all, he hadn’t even met his fiancée yet. He hadn’t started pursuing her. She might not even know she was supposed to be his future wife.
Tatum looked at Elora, and she met his gaze. Their eyes locked, and a quiet intensity filled the space between them.
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Tatum spoke gently. “Miss, I haven’t started pursuing her yet. She doesn’t even know she’s my intended. It’s best to keep it that way for now—for the sake of her reputation. A woman’s reputation is important. When the time comes, you’ll know who she is. My grandmother chose her for me, and with her standards, I have no doubt she made the right choice.”
Elora pressed, “There’s no one else here, and I can keep a secret. I won’t say a word. Just tell me. I promise I won’t let it get out, so it won’t affect your fiancée’s reputation.”
Tatum still didn’t answer. Instead, he said, “I’m sorry, Miss. I can’t say it right now.”
The time wasn’t right.
She had started to feel something for him, but it wasn’t deep enough yet.
Tatum feared that if he revealed the truth too soon, she would snap out of it, realizing that he had come here for one reason only—to pursue his wife.
Because from the very beginning, it had always been about her.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4203
Chapter 4203
Elora remained silent for a moment before saying, “It’s fine. I just forced myself.”
Tatum clearly didn’t want to talk about it, and pressing him wouldn’t help. If he wanted to say something, he would, without needing her to ask.
But the less he revealed, the more curious she became. She couldn’t help but wonder who his fiancée was.
They hadn’t even met, yet he was already protecting her.
That made Elora both envious and jealous.
For the first time in her life, she experienced jealousy.
It wasn’t overwhelming, but she felt it nonetheless.
“Miss, that’s not forcing yourself. It’s just curiosity. Everyone gets curious. There’s nothing strange about that,” Tatum said gently. “Honestly, anyone who hears that my grandmother chose our fiancées in advance would be curious to know who they are. You don’t have to feel embarrassed. Before Grandma showed us the photos, we had no idea she had started looking years ago. She doesn’t care about distance—only character.”
The third sister-in-law had married far from home. The fourth sister-in-law hadn’t married in yet, but she would also be moving far away.
Tatum wasn’t sure about his fifth brother, Elian, but Elian was always traveling for business. He figured Elian must be pursuing his future wife, which meant she wasn’t from Wiltspoon either.
Only their eldest and second sisters-in-law were from Wiltspoon.
Thinking about his own situation, Tatum realized that out of all his brothers, he and Elora were the furthest apart.
Unless the seventh or eighth brother married a foreigner, he would be the one moving the farthest for marriage.
Maybe he was the one destined to leave.
To marry Elora.
He understood her place and responsibilities within the Ormond family. If he wanted to be with her, he would have to make sacrifices.
“Marry a virtuous woman,” he murmured.
Then he repeated, “Yes, marry a virtuous woman.”
When Elora looked at Tatum again, the hint of affection in her eyes was gone. She buried it deep in her heart.
“Tatum,” she asked hesitantly, “you haven’t even met the fiancée your grandmother picked for you. Are you really going to marry her? What if you two don’t get along?”
After all, it was Old Madam York who had made the choice, not Tatum himself.
And the woman had no idea about any of this either. It was all arranged solely by his grandmother.
“I trust Grandma’s judgment. She chose a good wife for me. I won’t say she’s the best woman in the world, but I know she’s the right one for me.”
“So yes, I will definitely marry the woman Grandma chose. If she doesn’t like me, I’ll take my time, treat her well, and win her over. In a year, I believe she’ll change her mind about me.”
Tatum’s deep gaze locked onto Elora. His voice was warm and steady, yet it sent a chill through her.
“I said I would pursue her. Show her my sincerity. Believe that she will fall in love with me. With a foundation of emotions, marriage will happen naturally.”
After a brief pause, he added, “If she doesn’t want to get married or can’t, then she should marry me. She can come live in my home. I have many brothers, and my elders wouldn’t object.”
As long as he was happy, his parents would accept it.
His family was open-minded.
He had integrated well into the Ormond family. Whether it was the elders or his colleagues, everyone got along with him.
No one disliked him.
If he really became a son-in-law in the Ormond family, he was certain he could build a good life there.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4204
Chapter 4204
The entire family relied on him for meals.
Elora could be distant at times, but that wasn’t her true nature. She was actually fair-minded and knew right from wrong.
Tatum wasn’t worried about being treated unfairly if he became part of her family.
“Miss.”
Elora met his gaze, waiting for him to continue.
Instead, he asked, “Miss, what kind of man do you like?”
Elora was caught off guard.
Why was he asking her that?
What kind of man did she like?
Someone like him.
After a long silence, she answered honestly, “I like men who are capable, responsible, and have strong values. Even if his family background isn’t as good as mine, as long as he’s upright, capable, and truly sincere toward me, I don’t mind. Of course, it would be even better if we were well-matched. If we come from similar backgrounds, we’ll have shared perspectives and common interests. Marriage would be a strong partnership, not a charity case.”
Elora smiled and continued, “When I say ‘not as good as mine,’ I still mean he should come from a wealthy family. If the gap is too big, even I would be wary, wondering if he was only after our money.”
“Yes,” she added. “I definitely wouldn’t consider a social climber. Plenty of men have pursued me, but none have met my standards. So, I’m staying single for now. I plan to think about marriage after I turn 30.”
Tatum responded, “Thirty is an interesting age for women. Not too young, not too old. If you met someone who met all your requirements, would you be willing to marry earlier?”
If Elora truly wanted to wait until 30, he was willing to wait.
Of course, he hoped she’d change her mind sooner.
He was eager to marry her.
He imagined spending a few happy years together, then having children. He would take care of cooking and raising the kids, while she continued her own pursuits. If she needed his help, he’d be there. If she didn’t, he’d respect that.
He would support all her decisions.
“It’s hard to say,” Elora admitted with a bitter smile. “I don’t even have a boyfriend who makes me want to get married earlier.”
She had started to like Tatum, just a little.
But Tatum already had a fiancée.
He was devoted to her before they had even met, which meant there was no room for another woman.
To say she wasn’t envious or jealous would be a lie.
Elora found it amusing. Fate was playing a cruel joke on her. Just as she was starting to develop feelings for Tatum, he was already engaged.
She had a rival she didn’t even know.
And without doing anything, that rival had already won.
“Tatum, go get some rest. I’ll finish this sobering soup and head upstairs. Don’t worry, I’m not that drunk. I’ll be fine.”
Elora suddenly lost interest in continuing their conversation.
The more they talked, the more jealous she became of the woman she hadn’t even met.
“Miss.”
Elora waved a hand dismissively, signaling him to go.
Tatum had no choice but to leave. Before he did, he reminded her to go to bed early.
His concern for her made Elora smile bitterly.
Anyone who didn’t know better would think she was his fiancée.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4205
Chapter 4205
When Tatum reached the front door, he stopped, turned back, and said to Elora, “Miss, the only woman I care about is my future wife. Every other young woman is just a stranger to me. I’ll be polite if necessary, but if not, I won’t pay them any attention. Even if she’s my boss, I won’t cross the line. And if I ever do, there must be a reason. Get some rest, Miss. You’ve had a little too much to drink—if you don’t sleep well, you’ll wake up with a headache. I’ll make you some honey water in the morning.”
With that, Tatum walked away.
Elora stood there, staring at the door long after he disappeared.
What did he mean by that?
He only cares about his future wife?
He won’t cross the line for any woman other than his fiancée—not even his boss.
What exactly does “crossing the line” mean to him? Caring?
So, if his boss is a young woman but not his fiancée, he’ll only do his job—nothing more. No concern, no extra effort beyond his duties.
Is that what he meant?
And if so… was he talking about her?
He had always treated her exceptionally well. Beyond cooking three meals a day, he had done countless things that went beyond the role of a chef.
He cared about her. When she was upset, he talked with her, took walks with her.
He was also good to her family—far more than just a chef should be.
Was he saying that he liked her? That he saw her as his future wife?
But hadn’t he said he would only marry the woman his grandmother chose for him?
Elora was left puzzled by his words.
The coldness in her heart, which she had suppressed for so long, began to thaw.
More than anything, she wanted to know—who was Tatum’s fiancée?
The woman chosen by Old Mrs. York had to be from Annenburg or a nearby city. Otherwise, why would he have come all this way? It wasn’t just to be her private chef, was it?
If his fiancée was from Annenburg… who could it be?
Elora wasn’t being arrogant, but she knew the truth—among all the prominent families in Annenburg, there wasn’t a single young woman who outshined her.
The only ones even close were her cousins. The daughters of other wealthy families didn’t come close to her in terms of capability.
She ran the entire Ormond family business. She was the real head of the family.
How many daughters of high-status families could say the same?
A sudden thought struck her.
Could she be Tatum’s fiancée?
It would make sense. She was notoriously picky, and he was the best chef. In that regard, they were perfectly suited. If his cooking wasn’t good enough, she would point it out, and he would improve. He never stopped getting better—his dishes were always evolving, and she never tired of them.
Wasn’t that a kind of compatibility?
The Ormond family and the York family of Wiltspoon were well-matched in status, too.
He had also said that if his fiancée needed him to move in, he would.
The York family had nine young masters, with Tatum’s eldest brother as the head. Their elders were open-minded—if he chose to move in with his wife, his family would respect that decision.
Why had he said, if his fiancée needed him to move in?
If she was his fiancée, that would explain everything.
She couldn’t marry far away—not when she had to oversee the Ormond family business. At least, not until her younger brothers were ready to take over. Until then, she had no choice but to stay.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4206
Chapter 4206
To avoid a long-distance marriage, him moving in made the most sense.
“Sister, I think Tatum is here for you. When he looks at you, there’s something in his eyes.” Tinsley had told her this more than once.
Elora had always dismissed it as teasing. She thought Tinsley was joking, trying to fluster her.
After all, she was Tatum’s employer. Of course, he was nice to her—she was the one paying him.
But now, looking back, she saw things differently.
Maybe he really had come for her.
Maybe he wasn’t just a chef.
He had often mentioned that his grandmother only gave him one year to find a wife.
But in all this time, he hadn’t left her side. Even when he traveled, it was with her—on her business trips, making sure she was well-fed and cared for.
He never mentioned looking for a wife. He never asked about other women.
Wasn’t he worried?
A year wasn’t a long time.
He had been in her house for three months already. The time had flown by.
And still, he wasn’t in a rush to find his future wife.
If she was his fiancée, then it all made sense. He was already with her—living under the same roof, day and night.
Elora sank into deep thought.
Her heart raced.
She made up her mind—this weekend, she would quietly go to Wiltspoon and meet Tatum’s grandmother.
Yes, Tatum had mentioned that his grandmother was in the provincial capital with his mother and two aunts.
She should visit the Johnson family in Annenburg’s provincial capital. Old Mrs. York was still staying at FC Manor with the Johnsons.
Rosie had said that Old Mrs. York loved children.
The eldest son of the Johnson family had a pair of twins, and Old Mrs. York especially adored the little girl, so she often visited and stayed with them.
With her decision made, Elora gradually calmed down.
She finished her half-bowl of sobering soup, took the bowl to the kitchen, and washed it.
Then, she went upstairs to her room.
After a hot bath, she felt refreshed, her mind clearer.
As she stepped out of the bathroom, she instinctively headed to the small study in her room.
Just as she sat down, her phone buzzed with a message from Tatum.
She opened it.
Tatum: Miss, are you in the study again, planning to stay up late? It’s already past midnight. Go to bed.
She couldn’t help but smile.
He didn’t have x-ray vision, so how did he know she had gone into the study after her bath?
He didn’t need special powers. He simply knew her well. He had learned all her habits.
His concern warmed her heart.
She replied with a single word: OK.
Then, she got up, left the study, and went to bed.
That night, there were no more messages.
The next morning, for the first time, Elora didn’t wake up early for her usual run.
She lay in bed, feeling a slight headache and unwilling to move. She decided to skip her morning workout.
She hadn’t been completely drunk last night—just tipsy. She had stayed clear-headed enough. And Tatum had even made her a hangover remedy.
So why did she still wake up with a headache?
Married At First Sight Chapter 4207
Chapter 4207
Downstairs, Alonzo and Angelo sat at the dining table, enjoying their breakfast. Their older brother, Tatum, had prepared it for them, just as he did every morning.
Every day, Tatum made something different, and it was always delicious. The boys had gotten so used to his cooking that they could hardly eat the food at school, comparing it to pig slop.
Alonzo, being an elementary school student, didn’t have to worry too much—his school was close to home, and since he was only in first grade, he didn’t stay on campus. That meant he could come home for lunch and dinner.
Angelo, a year younger, was still in kindergarten. While breakfast was available at school, he refused to eat it there and insisted on eating at home.
To enjoy Tatum’s cooking, the little guy would wake up before dawn on his own, without any need for the adults to call him. He dressed himself, washed up, and carried his schoolbag into the big room, ready for breakfast.
“Brother Tatum,” Alonzo suddenly asked, “Did my sister come home last night? She’s usually up by now, but I haven’t seen her.”
Alonzo had a habit of sleeping in, especially in the cold seasons of spring and winter. No one else could wake him up—except for Elora. He was a little afraid of her.
Even yesterday, it had been Elora who got him out of bed. But today, he woke up on his own, checked the time, and got up for breakfast without waiting for her call.
Tatum set down a plate of freshly baked snacks and took a seat across from Alonzo. Looking at his future brother-in-law with gentle eyes, he said, “Your sister came home very late last night. She had a bit to drink, so she’s probably still resting.”
Elora would likely have a headache when she woke up. Tatum had already prepared honey water for her to drink to help her feel better.
If she insisted on going to work, he’d make her a strong cup of coffee. But if she decided to take it easy, he’d take her for a walk after breakfast and convince her to rest a little longer. She was exhausted—anyone could see that.
“Sister got drunk?” Alonzo and Angelo exchanged worried glances.
“Will she feel sick?” Angelo asked. “When Dad gets drunk, he gets a fever and a headache. It’s really bad.”
Neither of them had ever seen Elora drunk before. She drank occasionally at business dinners but never too much.
Tatum shook his head. “I’m not sure. We’ll have to wait until she wakes up to find out. But since she’s already dealing with work stress, you two need to be on your best behavior. Don’t make her worry about your studies on top of everything else.”
The boys nodded in agreement.
Tatum ruffled Alonzo’s hair. “You’re a good kid, Alonzo.”
Angelo immediately pouted. “Brother Tatum, you’re playing favorites! You always praise Alonzo but never me.”
Tatum chuckled, leaned over, and ruffled Angelo’s hair, too. “Young Master Angelo, you’re a great kid as well. Both of you are smart, kind, and full of energy.”
Of course, when they were being mischievous, they could be a real handful. When they decided to break things, they really went all out. But that was just how kids were.
Tatum had plenty of patience for them. Even when they got into trouble, it was never anything serious. They knew their limits and never crossed the line.
After breakfast, Tatum handed them their schoolbags and walked them outside, holding one of their hands in each of his.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4208
Chapter 4208
The butler watched them leave, unfazed. He was used to this by now.
Originally, Tatum had only been Elora’s private chef, but over time, he had taken on so much more. Now, he practically did everything—taking the boys to school, picking them up in the afternoon when he had time, supervising their homework, playing chess with them, helping them practice piano and calligraphy, and even sparring with them in boxing and martial arts.
The butler often thought Tatum was a jack-of-all-trades. There seemed to be nothing he couldn’t do. No wonder Elora trusted him so much.
But then again, Tatum wasn’t just anyone. He was a young master from a wealthy family, well-educated, and trained in martial arts. He also had his own business. Even without his status as the sixth young master of the York family in Wiltspoon, he was more than successful—his personal assets easily exceeded 100 million.
Today, however, Tatum didn’t personally take the boys to school. He walked them out of the house, but the driver was already waiting to take them.
“Brother Tatum, when will you take me to kindergarten again?” Angelo asked.
“Last time you did, my classmates saw you and said my brother is really handsome!”
Tatum chuckled and playfully pinched his cheek. “Do you want me to take you to school, or do you just like showing off how good-looking your brother is?”
Angelo grinned. “Both.”
Tatum shook his head, amused. “Not today. Your sister isn’t up yet, and I need to make her breakfast.”
Alonzo frowned. “But isn’t it already made?”
“She usually eats around this time, so I made breakfast earlier. But since she’s still asleep, it’s getting cold. It won’t taste as good anymore. So, I have to make it fresh.”
The two brothers looked at him in awe.
Tatum helped them into the car and smiled. “Study hard. I’ll take you to the playground this weekend.”
“Promise?” Alonzo asked skeptically. “You always change your mind if Sister says no.”
He held out his pinky.
Alonzo knew that Tatum, as their sister’s personal chef, always put her first. But sometimes, it felt like he was just as scared of Elora as they were. Wasn’t there anyone who wasn’t afraid of her?
Tatum chuckled and hooked his pinky with Alonzo’s. “I promise.”
He made sure they fastened their seat belts, then stood there watching until the car drove off and disappeared from sight.
As he turned back toward the house, he ran into the butler at the door.
“Uncle Joly, has the eldest lady gotten up yet?” Tatum asked.
The butler shook his head. “No. She rarely sleeps in. Is she feeling okay?”
There was genuine concern in his voice.
Elora wasn’t made of steel. She worked hard every day. Exhaustion could weaken her immune system, making her more prone to getting sick.
“She’s fine. Just a little drunk from last night. She’s probably catching up on sleep. I’ll make her breakfast again and check on her.”
Uncle Joly nodded approvingly. “Good. If anyone can take care of her properly, it’s you. The young lady is in good hands with you around.”
Married At First Sight Chapter 4209
Chapter 4209
In the past, the private chefs Elora hired were always respectful and eager to flatter her. But Tatum was different—he cared for Elora with genuine sincerity.
Uncle Joly had seen enough in life to recognize that Elora treated Tatum differently. And it was clear that Tatum felt the same way about her.
They were both young. It was only natural for sparks to fly.
Ordinarily, Uncle Joly would have warned Tatum not to set his sights on the eldest daughter of the Ormond family. But after learning that Tatum was actually wealthy, he chose to stay silent.
Good thing he didn’t say anything.
Tatum went back to his room. Instead of heading straight to the kitchen, he made his way upstairs.
He paused outside Elora’s door, hesitated for a moment, then knocked gently.
No response.
Maybe he had knocked too softly.
Tatum knocked again, firmer this time, and called out, “Miss, are you awake? It’s time for breakfast.”
Elora was a workaholic. She left for the office at the same time every morning without fail. But today, she hadn’t gotten up yet. Tatum felt responsible for reminding her.
More than that, he was worried she might be hungry.
After a moment, the door cracked open just enough for Elora to peek out, keeping the rest of her body hidden behind it.
Tatum immediately guessed that her pajamas might be slightly sheer, which was why she wasn’t stepping fully into view.
“Miss, are you okay?” he asked, concern evident in his voice. “I want you to rest, but I was afraid you might have something important today and didn’t want you to miss it.”
Elora had dark circles under her eyes, and her voice was hoarse from sleep. “I’m fine. Just a headache, but nothing I can’t handle. I have an important meeting and need to see two major clients today. It’s all been arranged. Tatum, thanks for waking me up. Can you bring me a cup of honey water and a coffee? I’ll be downstairs in half an hour.”
She needed time to freshen up. Her mind still felt sluggish from sleep.
“Of course,” Tatum replied without hesitation. “I already prepared the honey water. I’ll head down now to get your breakfast and make your coffee.”
He knew there was no use trying to convince her to take the day off. Elora never let minor discomfort slow her down.
Being the head of the family meant she couldn’t afford to.
Since she barely took care of herself, all he could do was ensure she ate properly.
She probably hadn’t slept well last night. He’d make her some soup later—to calm her nerves and nourish her brain—so she could rest better at lunch.
With that, Tatum went downstairs.
Elora closed the door, went back to bed, and lay down again.
The exhaustion weighed on her.
Sometimes, she wished she could ignore everything and just sleep—for three days straight if she could.
But then she thought of her aging parents, her younger brother who still needed guidance, and the fact that her entire family depended on her. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to sit up.
She was Elora Ormond. A simple hangover wasn’t going to bring her down.
Elora went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face twice. The shock of it helped clear her mind.
After washing up, she changed into her usual attire.
Her wardrobe was filled with business suits. Only a handful of casual outfits were tucked away for weekends. Not a single dress.
Even when she attended banquets, she always wore suits. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had worn a dress.
Married At First Sight Chapter 4210
Chapter 4209
In the past, the private chefs Elora hired were always respectful and eager to flatter her. But Tatum was different—he cared for Elora with genuine sincerity.
Uncle Joly had seen enough in life to recognize that Elora treated Tatum differently. And it was clear that Tatum felt the same way about her.
They were both young. It was only natural for sparks to fly.
Ordinarily, Uncle Joly would have warned Tatum not to set his sights on the eldest daughter of the Ormond family. But after learning that Tatum was actually wealthy, he chose to stay silent.
Good thing he didn’t say anything.
Tatum went back to his room. Instead of heading straight to the kitchen, he made his way upstairs.
He paused outside Elora’s door, hesitated for a moment, then knocked gently.
No response.
Maybe he had knocked too softly.
Tatum knocked again, firmer this time, and called out, “Miss, are you awake? It’s time for breakfast.”
Elora was a workaholic. She left for the office at the same time every morning without fail. But today, she hadn’t gotten up yet. Tatum felt responsible for reminding her.
More than that, he was worried she might be hungry.
After a moment, the door cracked open just enough for Elora to peek out, keeping the rest of her body hidden behind it.
Tatum immediately guessed that her pajamas might be slightly sheer, which was why she wasn’t stepping fully into view.
“Miss, are you okay?” he asked, concern evident in his voice. “I want you to rest, but I was afraid you might have something important today and didn’t want you to miss it.”
Elora had dark circles under her eyes, and her voice was hoarse from sleep. “I’m fine. Just a headache, but nothing I can’t handle. I have an important meeting and need to see two major clients today. It’s all been arranged. Tatum, thanks for waking me up. Can you bring me a cup of honey water and a coffee? I’ll be downstairs in half an hour.”
She needed time to freshen up. Her mind still felt sluggish from sleep.
“Of course,” Tatum replied without hesitation. “I already prepared the honey water. I’ll head down now to get your breakfast and make your coffee.”
He knew there was no use trying to convince her to take the day off. Elora never let minor discomfort slow her down.
Being the head of the family meant she couldn’t afford to.
Since she barely took care of herself, all he could do was ensure she ate properly.
She probably hadn’t slept well last night. He’d make her some soup later—to calm her nerves and nourish her brain—so she could rest better at lunch.
With that, Tatum went downstairs.
Elora closed the door, went back to bed, and lay down again.
The exhaustion weighed on her.
Sometimes, she wished she could ignore everything and just sleep—for three days straight if she could.
But then she thought of her aging parents, her younger brother who still needed guidance, and the fact that her entire family depended on her. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to sit up.
She was Elora Ormond. A simple hangover wasn’t going to bring her down.
Elora went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face twice. The shock of it helped clear her mind.
After washing up, she changed into her usual attire.
Her wardrobe was filled with business suits. Only a handful of casual outfits were tucked away for weekends. Not a single dress.
Even when she attended banquets, she always wore suits. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had worn a dress.
Chapter 4210
If she thought back far enough, it must have been in third grade. Her mother used to tell her that, as a child, she loved wearing princess dresses.
Being the firstborn—and a beautiful one at that—her family dressed her like a little princess. Her closet had been filled with frilly gowns, gifts from her parents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.
Then, at some point in fourth grade, she stopped wearing them. No matter how many new dresses she received, she always gave them away to her cousins.
Eventually, everyone realized she wasn’t interested, and the dresses stopped coming.
Her mother once asked why she no longer liked them. Elora had replied, “Skirts slow me down. I like to move fast.”
Her mother had smiled and said she had always been decisive and strong-willed, which was why her grandparents had chosen her as the family’s successor.
And she hadn’t let them down.
From a young age, she had shouldered the family’s burdens. Under her leadership, the Ormond business hadn’t just survived—it had thrived.
Some of her grandparents’ old acquaintances were still around, and whenever they saw her, they praised her. They envied her grandparents for having such an exceptional granddaughter, especially since their own sons had accomplished little.
But Elora never told anyone about the conversations she had overheard.
More than once, her grandfather had sighed and lamented, “If only she were a grandson.”
If she had been born a man, the eldest grandson of the Ormond family, her grandfather would have been at peace.
Because she was a granddaughter, no matter how capable she was, he always feared that one day she would marry, and her focus would shift away from the family business.
The Ormond family was steeped in tradition. Even though her grandfather had no choice but to entrust her with the family’s legacy, he never truly accepted it.
By the time he and her grandmother had passed, her two younger brothers hadn’t been born yet. They had assumed there would be no male heirs in their generation.
Her grandmother had often said that an old rival from her youth had once taunted her: “I gave birth to all sons, while yours can’t even produce a grandson.”
Shaking off those memories, Elora grabbed another suit and put it on.
Standing before the mirror, she examined her reflection—poised, powerful, and commanding.
But the dark circles under her eyes were impossible to ignore.
Sighing, she sat down at her vanity and carefully applied makeup to mask her exhaustion.
She had said she would be downstairs in half an hour, and she kept her word.
By the time she reached the dining room, Tatum had prepared a fresh breakfast. Today, he had chosen lighter fare, knowing she hadn’t slept well.
He set a cup of honey water in front of her first. “Drink this before anything else.”
Then he brought out her meal, followed by a steaming cup of coffee.
Watching her, he hesitated before speaking. “Miss, why don’t you stay home today and get some rest?”
She had done her best to cover up her fatigue, but he could still see it.
“I have two important clients today,” she replied. “If I cancel, everything I’ve worked for will be in vain.”
“I’ll be fine. Coffee will do the trick.”
She sipped her honey water nonchalantly. Then, as if remembering something, she asked, “Are Alonzo and Angelo running late? Alonzo loves to sleep in.”
Alonzo wasn’t afraid of anyone—except his big sister. When he overslept, he always waited for her to wake him.