Chapter 305

Chapter 305

Lisbeth left the hotel. She didn't call a cab—just walked along the sidewalk. A car passed her slowly.

The car pulled over to the curb.

Inside, the driver watched Lisbeth's figure grow smaller in the distance. Elora turned to the man gripping the steering wheel, her voice cold. "Do you realize you almost blew your cover?"

The man rested his chin on one hand, unconcerned. "I know what I'm doing. I didn't blow anything."

Elora laughed bitterly. "You say that, but if you hadn't been so reckless and horny, no one would've gotten photos of you. And Lisbeth wouldn't have tracked you down here!"

He rolled his eyes. "I'm a guy. What guy isn't horny? You two told me to hide. I've been hiding for ages. Don't push it. You can't expect me to rot in a hotel room forever. I'll lose my mind!"

Elora cursed him a thousand times in her head. How could anyone be this stupid? Did he really think stealing that money meant he was home free?

"We told you to stay here because the most dangerous place is the safest place," Elora said, forcing patience into her tone. "After everything went down, no one would think you'd still be in the city instead of back home. But now you've been exposed. Lisbeth got wind of you somehow. I guarantee she'll find you soon."

"Impossible."

He didn't believe Lisbeth had it in her.

She was just a woman.

"If she were really that smart, that capable, she wouldn't be in this mess right now."

Elora wanted to scream. "Use your brain! This woman is not easy to deal with. We worked so hard to trap her. From now on, you do exactly what I say. I'm setting you up in a new place. Once you're inside, you don't come out. When this is over, I'll come get you. But until I do, you stay put!"

Her tone left no room for argument. She didn't even let him drive. She ordered the driver to take them to a remote spot on the outskirts of town.

A house. A small yard. It looked abandoned.

As the man walked in, he noticed spiderwebs strung across the yard. No one had lived here in ages. The place was hollow and eerie. One look was enough.

He stood in the doorway, disbelief written all over his face. "What? Are you serious? You're making me stay here?"

Elora was so done with this spoiled rich kid. He only had his position because of his father's connections, and he had zero common sense.

He wouldn't even suffer a little!

Remembering the instructions she'd been given, Elora softened her voice. "I know you don't want to stay here. I know it's rough. But we don't have a choice right now. Just bear with it for a while. Once this blows over, I'll come pick you up right away."

The man had an eye for women, and Elora was attractive—a type he hadn't tried yet. Faced with a pretty face, he reluctantly agreed.

"You better come get me soon. I can only stand this dump for a month. If you don't show up in a month, I'm leaving on my own."

"I promise I'll come get you."

After endless coaxing, she finally got him inside. He kept grumbling as he walked through the yard, complaining about this, complaining about that.

Elora stood outside the gate, watching from a distance. Only after he disappeared into the living room did she lock the gate behind him and get back in the car.

The car drove off into the distance.

……

When Lisbeth got back to the office, Quinn had bad news.

The bank loan had fallen through.

They hadn't fully resolved the public crisis or the company's internal issues yet. The bank said they didn't meet the conditions for a loan.

Without external funding, the money they had on the books wouldn't be enough to keep things running. They'd be facing a cash shortage soon.

Just then, Ralph called.

Lisbeth held up a finger to her lips and took her phone into her office before answering.

It was a video call. On the screen, Ralph and Elowen sat by a window, white curtains swaying gently in the breeze behind them.

It was already winter here, but over there it still looked like spring.

"Your aunt loves it here. We've only been here two days and she's already dying to go out every day. She says once you're not so busy, she wants you to come visit."

Elowen waited for her husband to finish, then snatched the phone, looking at Lisbeth eagerly. "The scenery's beautiful. Can you come when work calms down?"

"I can." Lisbeth smiled.

A week ago, Elowen's condition had improved. On the doctor's recommendation, Ralph decided to take his wife somewhere warm and comfortable to relax.

They'd already gone to another city.

Thousands of miles away, with a time zone difference. Since they were there to rest and recuperate, they'd turned off their phones and internet. They only kept in touch with Lisbeth.

So even now, they had no idea what was happening online.

Lisbeth hesitated for a long time. After thinking it over, she decided not to tell them. This was her mistake. She had to fix it herself.

"You two enjoy yourselves over there. Call me whenever you get a chance. Once I'm done here, I'll bring my mom and the kids to see you."

"Good. Work is important, but take care of yourself," Ralph said.

He looked happy. Even younger than before.

Elowen chatted with Lisbeth a bit longer before hanging up.

She held the phone, thinking. Then she looked up at her husband.

"Our daughter's not happy."

Ralph had been looking out the window. He paused, caught off guard. He hadn't noticed. But he always trusted his wife's instincts. After a moment, he said, "Maybe something's bothering her at work."

"Help her."

Looking at his wife's face, Ralph smiled. Even if Elowen hadn't said anything, he would've done it anyway. But since she'd brought it up, of course he'd agree.

"Don't worry. I've got it covered."

Evening.

After his wife fell asleep, Ralph stepped outside and called Sebastian.

"Something's wrong at home, isn't it?"

Sebastian hadn't expected him to be so direct. Anyone else would've been thrown off, but he only paused for a second before recovering. "Did Lisbeth tell you?"

Ralph chuckled. "Slick."

He'd asked a question, and in the blink of an eye, the other man had tossed it right back.

Sebastian smiled. "Are you enjoying the trip?"

"It's nice. Sunny and warm."

"Good. That's what matters. Since you're on vacation, you should focus on having a good time." Sebastian's voice was gentle. "As for Lisbeth, don't worry. I've got her covered."

"I'm not worried with you around. But Lisbeth keeps everything to herself. She never says anything. Always tries to handle it alone. Help her if you can."

That hit home for Sebastian. Of course he wanted to help. He was helping. But he had to do it quietly, like he was sneaking around.

"Don't worry. I know."

He heard footsteps behind him. Sebastian calmly ended the call.

Anne walked over in slippers, holding her phone, wearing her pajamas. She looked up at him. "Dad, Mom just called. She said she's not coming home tonight."

"Hm?"

Lisbeth rarely stayed out. Even when she worked late, she'd come home eventually. She never spent the night elsewhere.

Anne pouted. "When Mom called, I heard a man talking in the background. I think he said something like, 'another drink.'"

Sebastian's eyes narrowed.