bChapter /b274

    “How could you be sure they’d fall for it?”

    Cliff waited until she finally tore herself away from work before bringing up what happened at lunch. “And if they hadn’tb, /bwere you really nning on quitting?”

    Elissa stretched her neck, trying to ease the stiffness in her shoulders, and gave him a sly smile. “Who said I was bluffing?”

    “So that security camera was real?”

    This time, Cliff genuinely looked surprised.

    She nodded. “Yeah.”

    The moment she sensed the team’s discontent, she’d started thinking about backup ns. After wracking her brain, the best she came up with was to askn to have someone install a camera while everyone was away for the holidays. It was on a private line, and as far as security knew, only Abel was in the loop.

    Everyone had been busy celebrating, so she hadn’t bothered mentioning it to Cliff at the time.

    Cliff gazed at her, his admiration clear in his eyes. “If our mentor could see you now, thinking three steps ahead, he’d be bragging about you for days.”

    Elissa’s lips curled up in a small, fond smile.

    She knew her mentor treated her like family.

    Back when she first started apprenticing, she knew nothing at all. But every time she managed to memorize another medicinal herb, the old man would insist on an extra ss of wine at dinner to

    celebrate.

    She was never sure if he was actually celebrating, or just using it as an excuse–either way, he certainly never missed a drink.

    Now that she was finally making a name for herself, her mentor loved to boast about his “star pupil” to anyone who’d listen, grinning from ear to ear.

    Of course, no one else actually knew who his famous student was, but they all yed along, showering him with praise.

    Sometimes,te at night, when she thought back on the fourteen years she’d spent with her mentor and his wife, her resentment toward Rowan for leaving her behind softened–just a little.

    After all, it was Rowan who’d found her that mentor, who’d brought her to his door, and who had picked her up after every lesson for six straight years, rain or shine.

    Cliff happened to live nearby, so he could give Elissa a ride home.

    She felt half–asleep the whole way. When they finally pulled into the underground garage, Cliff eased on the brakes and turned to her with a grin. “Tanya Foster’sing back soon, right?”

    “Yeah,” Elissa replied, smiling. “She’ll be back the day after tomorrow.”

    b14:29 /b

    Cliff did the math. “Perfect, just in time for your birthday. What do you want to eat? I’ll treat you both.”

    She’d honestly forgotten about her birthday until he brought it up.

    For the past few years, it had always been the three of them–Cliff, Tanya, and herself–celebrating together. So she answered quickly, teasing, “Alright, but your wallet’s going to take another hit.”

    “That’s what I get for being the oldest, I suppose.”

    Elissaughed. “Don’t let our mentor brainwash you with all that responsibility talk.”

    Their mentor loved to remind Cliff that he was the eldest and should look after Elissa more.

    As they chatted, the car came to a stop in front of her building.

    Elissa unbuckled her seatbelt and got out, tossing him a cheerful reminder: “Drive safe, alright?”

    “Will do.”

    Cliff gave her a little wave and waited until she disappeared inside before pulling away.

    Exhausted, Elissa headed for the elevator, barely managing to keep a smile on her face–until she saw who was waiting for her.

    Frank Atwater.

    He stood behind the building’s automatic ss doors, eyes narrowing as he watched Cliff’s white sedan disappear down the ramp. His tone was cool and a little sharp. “Weren’t you supposed to leave with your brother? Howe he’s the one dropping you off?”

    After what had happened the other day, Elissa still felt uneasy around Frank. Her expression didn’t shift as she shot back, “What are you doing here?”

    “If you can’t move back to Greenwood Manor, then I’ll just move here,” Frank replied, his gaze steady.

    Seeing the flicker of resistance in her eyes, he added quietly, “Don’t worry, I’ll just be living downstairs.”