Chapter 60: Temptations, Investigations, and Revelations–2
“We traced her whereabouts,” Frank continued. “She’s already been smuggled out of the country. However, the identities of those who escorted her remain unknown. Both our private detectives and the police hit dead ends quickly; the clues keep breaking off, as if someone powerful is deliberately covering up.”
My fingers tapped rhythmically along the desk, brows drawn tight in contemplation. “Seems the force behind them is formidable.”
After a pause, I asked, “Did you check with the Grey family?”
Frank nodded. “Yes, Alpha. Their response remains unchanged–they claim Ethan Grey was unaware that Jessica Sullivan was your former admirer, and they insist it was merely a casual interaction between a man and a woman.”
I kept my expression inscrutable, though internally my suspicions deepened. A larger, more sinister conspiracy seemed to be lurking beneath these recent events.
First Grace’s k********g, then the attack on Olivia, and now Jessica Sullivan’s mysterious disappearance–all connected, all pointing to an enemy with resources and patience.
“Keep digging,” I ordered. “And double the security around Olivia. I want her protected at all times.”
(Olivia’s POV)
Friday morning at Moonlaw Legal Services started like any other day. I was reviewing case files when a notification popped up on my phone.
The new litigation department head Caroline Lewis had posted in the group chat: [Tonight, our department dinner party. Voluntary attendance. Time and place to be announced later.]
I smiled to myself. Since Caroline had taken over, the office atmosphere had improved dramatically. Kenneth Westfield had been arrested for statutory r**e, and Valerie Pierce had resigned after I successfully sued her for slander.
For the first time since joining Moonlaw, I actually enjoyed coming to work.
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Chapter 60: Temptations.
+8 Points >
My phone buzzed again with a private message from Jade Mitchell: [Lawyer Winters, will you go tonight?]
Since I’d rescued Jade from an assailant a few weeks ago, she’d become something of a loyal admirer. Caroline had even arranged for her to serve as my assistant, and we’d bonded into genuine friends.
I quickly replied, [Sure, since I’m free after work anyway.]
Jade responded cheerfully, [Yay! If you’re going, then I’ll definitely go!]
The dinner was set in a decent western restaurant. The food was excellent, and the
conversation flowed easily among colleagues who, for once, weren’t trying to
undermine each other.
After eating, someone suggested moving to a bar for drinks. Normally, I would have declined, but after everything I’d been through recently–Grace’s k********g, Connor’s
injury, the failed engagement ceremony–I was exhausted and tightly wound.
Maybe it was time to let myself relax a little.
“Sure, why not?” I agreed, surprising even myself.
We headed to a quiet lounge–style bar, where laughter and conversation swirled
around us. Though my alcohol tolerance was poor, I accepted a cocktail, then
another.
Soon my cheeks were flushing bright pink, and my mind growing pleasantly hazy. The
tension I’d been carrying for weeks began to melt away.
By my third drink, I was giggling uncontrollably, teetering unsteadily on my barstool. “Let me tell you, I… I’m the Monkey King of Flower–Fruit Mountain, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven! You all… you all better bow down before me!”
Some of my colleagues, tipsy themselves, collapsed over the table snoring. Others who remained sober–including Jade, who didn’t drink at all–watched with
amusement, recording my antics on their phones.
Jade laughed along, calling out, “Pay respects to the Monkey King!”
I burst into more giggles. “And my fiancé, he’s… he’s the best fiancé in the world, you
know? He’s liked me for a long, long time… hee hee hee…”
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< Chapter 60 Temptations…
Jade teased, “Oh? So much sweetness!”
+8 Points
“I’ll tell you a secret, but don’t laugh,” I continued, eyes glassy with drunken mirth. “My fiancé, even though he looks so amazing, actually… he kinda has a problem in the bed
n
Someone else nearby, still sober, prodded curiously, “What problem?”
I just giggled foolishly again, swaying slightly on my seat. “Well, I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, my fiancé… he seems to have a bit of an issue with… you know… that…
(Adrian’s POV)
I was nursing my moonlight wine at the bar counter when I overheard the drunken
woman’s words. Her honey–brown hair was slightly disheveled, her amber eyes unfocused as she giggled about her fiancé’s apparent bedroom problems.
“Pfft-“I nearly choked from amusement at the revelation that “your fiancé has a problem in that department.”
After I finished laughing, I quickly whipped out my phone. I recognized the woman from Harbor City’s social events–Olivia Winters, now engaged to Connor Rivers but formerly Ethan Grey’s girlfriend.
This was too good not to share. I tapped out a message to Ethan, whom I knew through Harbor City’s elite social circles: [Heard that you have some, uh, ‘bed performance issues‘?]
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