Justin’s assistant wore a look of perfect seriousness, every inch the consummate professional.
Connor let out a sigh of exasperation and leaned against the doorframe, blocking the assistant’s path. “You’re really going through with this? Justin and I have been friends for years–just let him cool off before you do anything drastic!”
The assistant looked at Connor with wide–eyed innocence and shrugged. “Attorney Grant, of course I’m serious. You and Mr. Hawksley may have known each other a long time, but you never exactly got along. When Mr. Hawksley gave me the order this morning, he was perfectly calm about it.”
Now Connor just felt frazzled. If he’d known Justin was actually going to follow through, he never would’ve tried to be clever in the first place.
Still propped by the door, Connor reluctantly dialed Justin’s number.
Justin picked up almost instantly, his tone icy. “I’m busy taking care of Mrs. Hawksley. I don’t have time for you.”
“Just give me two minutes. Two minutes, that’s all I’m asking.”
Edith, listening to the call over Bluetooth, was surprised to hear how
uncharacteristically deferential Connor sounded.
Their previous negotiations had never sounded like this. It was as if everything had changed overnight.
Justin hung up without hesitation. “I’m not available.”
Edith assumed her presence was making it awkward for the two men to talk, so she offered quietly, “It’s fine. If you two have something important to discuss, I can wait outside for a bit.”
Justin’s brows drew together in a sharp line. Connor, that little nuisance–did he really think he was worth making Mrs. Hawksley wait outside?
The answer was obvious.
Justin waved a dismissive hand. “That’s not necessary. There’s nothing important between Connor and me.”
Edith relaxed. “Good, I’m glad.”
17:59
Chapter 170
Morning rush hour in Northcrest was always brutal.
Red lights seemed endless as they crawled through the city. Watching the gridlocked traffic, Edith pressed her lips together. “You really didn’t have to go out of your way to
drive me.”
She felt a little guilty, knowing Justin would have to fight this same traffic all the way to Hawksley Tower once he dropped her off.
Justin kept his eyes on the road, waiting as the red light ticked down. He didn’t look at her, but his voice was steady and sincere. “It’s my responsibility–and my privilege as your husband.”
Edith glanced at him, and for a moment, Justin seemed to radiate a kind of steady, dazzling warmth–like the sun itself.
But the closer people got to the sun, the harder it was to truly see it. The brilliance left her dazzled–unable to look too closely or make out the man behind the light.
Someone else was squinting into that same brightness: Charlotte Lowell, waiting
outside the Riverbend Zoo.
Northcrest wasn’t short on luxury cars, but the gleaming silver hood ornament of a Rolls–Royce still turned heads. Who on earth would take a Rolls to the zoo first thing in the morning? That wasn’t something just anyone would–or could–do.
It all made sense when Charlotte saw her idol, Edith, stepping out of the car. So that’s what was going on.
Even after the Rolls–Royce pulled away, Charlotte couldn’t quite hide her astonishment. She’d heard the gossip–that the wealthy heir Edith married had died in a plane crash, that Edith had been thrown out of her in–laws‘ house. Charlotte hated that kind of rumor–mongering, especially the way people seemed to relish someone else’s misfortune, as if Edith’s troubles somehow benefited them.
That’s human nature, she supposed–people couldn’t stand to see others do well.
But then why had Edith just stepped out of a car like that?
Edith climbed out, glancing around for the person she’d been chatting with on WhatsApp. She was just reaching for her phone to call when a bright, clear voice called out, “Edith!”
It was a woman’s voice.
Edith turned, puzzled. “And you are…?”
ค.เค
Chapter 170
“I’m your junior from law school! The one who messaged you on WhatsApp. Attorney Grant introduced us!”
Edith looked even more confused. “Connor told me you were a guy…”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.