bChapter /b212

Frank shot the man a sidelong nce, his tone unfailingly gentle as always. “Mr. Bryant, if you can’t even recognize my wife, I don’t see any reason for yourpany to continue working with the Atwater Group.”

There was not a shred of courtesy in his words.

His displeasure was written all over his face.

Mr. Bryant froze, all thoughts of currying favor forgotten. He stammered, “Oh, it’s just a huge misunderstanding, Mr. Atwater! You’re a big–hearted man–surely you won’t hold this against me.”

He wished he could sew his own lips shut.

If only he’d kept his mouth shut in the first ce!

But this Mr. Atwater didn’t seem anything like the rumors in their circles–that he was indifferent to his wife, head–over–heels for someone else. He seemed to care, didn’t he?

If looks could kill, Frank would have finished him off on the spot.

Aaron caught Frank’s pointed re and saidzily, “It was just a careless remark, not worth fussing over. After all, you’ve made quite a scene with your own escapades, and Elissa has never made a fuss about those.”

The room fell quiet.

Only Elissa, watching her mentor stand up for her, felt a warmth blossom in her chest.

She nced at the time and spoke up, “Professor, it’s gettingte. Let me drive you and Mrs. Carter

home.”

“Of course, dear. Thank you.”

Jacquelinei, /iwell aware that the divorce wasn’t public yet, tugged Aaron away before he could say something inappropriate. “Let Elissa take us home. I’m exhausted.”

As the three of them headed out, Frank shot Cliff a cold, warning look.

Elissa turned iand /icalled back, “Cliff,e on!”

“Coming.”

Cliff replied, then gave Frank a faint, almost taunting smile. “Mr. Atwater, I’ll be heading out as well–Elissa’s offered to drop me off.”

Mr. Bryant, standing off to the side, broke out in a cold sweat.

What was Cliff thinking? Even though it was obvious Frank minded, he still had to push his buttons.

Elissa knew Aaron and Jacqueline had just gotten off a long–haul flight and would be exhausted, so she dropped them home first.

Only then did she take Cliff.

By the time she’d finished and returned to Vistapeak Gardens, it was nearly ten.

18:01

She expertly reversed into her parking spot and had just stepped out when she noticed a particrly familiar Maybach parked beside her.

A limited edition–there were only two in all of Vistapeak City.

One was Frank’s go–to car. The other gathered dust at Rowan’s Rivercross residence.

Rowan’s taste in cars was as mboyant as his personality; he’d never bother with something this understated.

Which meant the car parked here could only be Frank’s.

Elissa was about to ignore it and head upstairs when the Maybach’s rear idoor /iswung iopen /ifrom

inside.

The first thing she saw was a pair of polished leather shoes, then long legs d in a perfectly pressed suit–no sign of a wrinkle.

Frank stepped out, his eyes sharp as he regarded her. “Why were you having dinner with Cliff tonight?”

On New Year’s, outside of business obligations, people only spent time with close family and friends. If she and Cliff were just colleagues, there was no way they’d be this familiar.

Elissa’s face was cool and distant as she countered, “So now I’m not even allowed to have dinner

with whomever I choose?”

“Elissa-”

Frank closed the car door iand /iitook /itwo steps toward her, a slight furrow in his brow. “It’s not that I object to you seeing people. But your rtionship with Cliff-”

“I don’t owe you any exnations about my private life.”