bChapter /b261

    “That’s right,”

    Janice said thoughtfully, choosing her words with care. “My grandson, I’m not sure what’s gotten into him, but he’d really like to meet you. He hasn’t told me the details, but do you think you coulde by my house in a couple of days if you have time?”

    Maybe sensing Elissa’s hesitation, she quickly added, “Don’t worry, he’s not the fickle type. I think he just wants to get to know you, that’s all.”

    This actually didn’t bother Elissa. She’d always believed in leading by example.

    Mrs. Garrett was a truly good woman–there was no way her grandson would turn out poorly.

    Still, right now, her own situation was beyond her control. “Mrs. Garrett, I’m not sure if I’ll have time to drop by. How about I get in touch after things settle down on my end?”

    “Of course, dear.”

    Janice agreed immediately, but her concern lingered. “Elissa, is everything all right? If you’re in any trouble, you must let me know.”

    Elissa felt a warmth in her chest. “Really, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

    She could tell Janice came from a wealthy family, but in Vistapeak City, only Rowan could keep

    Frank’s influence in check.

    She didn’t want to drag anyone else into the mess.

    Finally reassured, Janice was willing to end the call. “Well, I’ll let you go then. But whenever you’re free, you’re always wee at my ce.”

    “Thank you.”

    Elissa had barely finished replying when someone knocked on her bedroom door–a sudden interruption. As she crossed the room, Edna’s voice called from the other side, “Ma’am, it’s me–Edna. Not Mr. Frank.”

    Elissa paused for a moment, then opened the door. “You know, I divorced Frank a long time ago. You can just call me Elissa.”

    Edna had been present the first time she and Carm hade to an agreement about this.

    H

    …All right.”

    Edna hesitated, then offered her a ss of warm milk and a slice of strawberry cake. “Mr. Frank said you probably didn’t eat enough tonight. He knows you don’t want to see him, so he asked me to bring this up for you.”

    “Even if you’re upset, you shouldn’t take it out on your health,” Edna added, unable to hold back her

    concern.

    “Thank you.”

    Elissa epted the tray without another word, closed the door, and then tried calling Rowan a few

    b14:28 /b

    times.

    None of the calls went through–he was out of reach.

    Still, she wasn’t too worried.

    With Rowan’s cunning, she trusted he could handle any danger thrown his way. If he hadn’t, he’d have been swallowed up by the Murphy family’s power struggles years ago.

    She’d slept so much during the day, she couldn’t fall asleep that night.

    Her gaze flickered now and then to her silent phone. It wasn’t until the sky began to lighten that she finally felt drowsy.

    But as soon as she heard movement downstairs, she got up and headed down.

    Frank was sitting in the living room, watching the financial news. He looked up, surprised ito /isee her. “You’re up early.”

    It was rare for them to share a morning conversation–most weeks, they barely crossed paths at

    home.

    Elissa didn’t bother answering. “Can I go out today?”

    She was nning to visit Rivercross Residence to figure out what was going on.

    “You can,” Frank replied.

    He stepped closer, gently tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. “I’ve arranged lunch with Bradley Wheeler and some others. You shoulde along.”

    “I have other ns,” Elissa replied coolly, shutting him down.

    Frank didn’t seem the least bit annoyed. As if he hadn’t even heard her refusal, he nodded toward the dining room. “Let’s have breakfast first.”

    Elissa felt a wave of frustration, like throwing a punch into a pillow.

    She idecided /ithere was no point in being polite anymore. Angry, she said, “I told you, I have something else ito /iido/i. Frank, if you keep this up, I don’t mind calling Rowan right now…”

    In truth, she wasn’t sure anyone would even answer, but she figured Frank would at least be wary of the threat.

    14:28

    bChapter /b262