Chapter 98: Feeling Like He Was Up to No Good

Eliana was in high spirits, humming a tune as she strolled into the boxing gym. The place was eerily empty, but as soon as she stepped in, a figure approached her. "Eliana, you're here so quick..."

She continued walking in, "Just came by when I had nothing better to do. Where's Chase?"

"Mr. Chase... he's out shopping," Simon replied, his back practically sweating with anxiety. He'd just gotten a call, instructing him to stall Eliana for a bit.

Eliana caught his hesitant tone, "Shopping for what?"

"Ingredients for a barbecue. Mr. Chase said he's treating us to a feast," Simon fibbed, his nerves making the lie more laborious than lifting weights.

"Where is everyone else?" Eliana looked around, noticing they were the only two there.

Simon was about to implode, "The rest of the team is off at a competition. Mr. Chase thought... it's a rare quiet moment, so he arranged this barbecue to reward us support staff."

Perhaps believing that the big, honest-looking man wouldn't lie, Eliana didn't press further, "I'll wait here then."

"Sure thing, let me get you some water."

As soon as he agreed, Simon hurried to the tea room to call Chase.

"Where are you, Mr. Wilkinson?"

Chase frowned, his voice a bit hoarse, "On my way."

He'd never had to rush to cover a lie before, feeling like he was up to no good.

Simon whispered, "I just told the missus you were out buying stuff for a barbecue, so when you get back..."

Chase's brows furrowed deeper. What karma was this, making him rush back with a big wound to have a barbecue?

"Got it."

He hung up and immediately called Stephan, instructing him to get things ready ASAP.

After a few words, Chase hung up, a chill spreading across his usually composed face, just as a traffic jam decided to make his day worse!

Bored at the gym, Eliana playfully punched the punching bag, prompting Simon to enthusiastically offer some guidance.

"Sure, how do you do this?" Eliana's interest was piqued.

"First, put on these gloves, they protect your hands," he emphasized, thinking any scratch on the missus and he'd be in deep trouble.

After strapping on the gloves, Eliana followed Simon' pointers, throwing punches with a surprising amount of form.

To kill time, Simon went through all the rules and techniques of boxing, and Eliana listened intently.

She'd always wanted to learn but never had the time or the funds. Now, with a live demonstration, she wasn't about to miss out on this freebie.

After her impromptu lesson, Eliana felt a surge of power, as if she could take down an opponent if given the chance.

"Simon, come on, let's spar," Eliana said, brimming with excitement.

Simon nearly shuddered at the thought, sparring with the missus was... too risky.

"Eliana, you've just started learning, it's not suitable to spar with me," he protested.

"No worries, just go easy," Eliana was eager to test her newly learned skills.

Reluctantly, Simon agreed and they stepped onto the ring.

In less than ten minutes, a few figures entered to witness the undefeated ring champion, Simon, pleading for mercy as Eliana pulled his hair.

Simon probably never imagined he'd have to beg for mercy from an opponent one day.

"Mr. Chase, save me!"

Chase walked in to see Eliana using all sorts of foul moves, treating it like a child's play fight.

"Eliana, let go," he commanded.

Only then did Eliana reluctantly release her grip, and Simon scrambled off the ring, hiding behind Chase and whispering his grievances, "Mr. Chase, the missus insisted on sparring with me, I was afraid of hurting her."

Feeling invigorated, Eliana asked, "Who's up for another round?"

Stephan and the other two bodyguards disguised as boxers immediately shook their heads. Who would willingly spar with the missus?

Eliana, still not ready to leave the ring, looked at Chase, "Aren't you the boxing king? Come on up, let's have some fun."

"Not interested," Chase's wound wasn't fully healed, luckily it was in a spot that could be concealed by his hair, or else he wouldn't dare show up now.

Eliana finally stepped down from the ring and moved towards the gym equipment, "Teach me how to use these?"

"Sure."

Chase went over to instruct her, demonstrating a level of expertise taught to him by professional coaches.

"You shouldn't use your wrist strength, use your elbow. It's like when you're attacking an enemy, you can only use the strength of your elbow to strike, making it easier to inflict damage."

As he spoke, he showed her a couple of moves.

Eliana picked it up quite smoothly, playfully attempting a surprise attack when Chase wasn't looking, only to be swiftly caught by his alert grasp.

"Ah!"

Eliana nearly fell, instinctively clutching his shoulders as they came into a tight embrace. She could feel the warmth of his breath, his deep gaze consuming her as if to swallow her whole.

She could even hear the sound of Chase's heart racing...

Just as the atmosphere was heating up, Stephan announced that the barbecue ingredients were ready.

"Mr. Chase, it's time to eat..."

Stephan approached, catching sight of the couple in an embrace, his words catching in his throat.

Oh no, had he just interrupted Mr. Wilkinson and his wife's romantic moment? Was his job on the line?

Eliana pushed away from Chase, not wanting to be misunderstood as taking advantage of the situation.

Her expression returned to normal, "I'm hungry, let's eat."

After Eliana left, Chase followed, and they all sat down to eat outside the gym, everyone's behavior unusually restrained.

Eliana, noticing they weren't cooking and eating, asked in confusion, "Isn't it time to start the meal? Why isn't anyone moving?"

"Mr. Chase, you and Eliana should start first," Stephan chuckled nervously.

They'd never dined with Mr. Wilkinson before, and it felt very awkward.

Eliana took the lead, picking up two slices of roasted beef and even serving one to Chase, "Let's start eating."

At her command, they began, but everyone was still overly cautious, "Don't you usually eat together? Why is it like you're eating with the boss, so careful?"

Indeed, it was terrifying to eat with their big boss!

They were all nervous, trying to pretend to be casual and relaxed...

This level of acting was beyond them.

Fortunately, Eliana didn't pay much attention, assuming this was their usual restraint.

The meal ended with no one seeming satisfied.

On the way back, Eliana found the scene amusing, "You should eat with them less often. Look at your face, all stern, like a boss in a meeting."

Chase snorted a laugh, acknowledging her insight into his boss-like demeanor.

Then the phone rang.

Eliana, seeing an unfamiliar number, answered with curiosity. An aged voice came through, "My granddaughter-in-law, where are you? I want to see you!"