Chapter 8
Elijah stood on the second–floor balcony of the seaside villa, looking down at Lara playing on the beach with a gaze full of affection.
Her laughter drifted to him on the sea breeze.
With Avery far away and causing no trouble, he should have felt completely relaxed. But he felt a strange unease, as if something was telling him he needed to go back soon.
He tried to reassure himself, thinking it might just be the company’s recent unstable stock prices that had him worried.
As the sky darkened, he picked up a shawl from the hanger and walked outside. When he reached Lara, she was on the phone and didn’t notice him approaching from behind.
“Perfect timing. That saves me the trouble of worrying about her again,” Lara said through gritted teeth. “If any more dirt leaks, I don’t believe the stock can recover this time.”
Just as she was about to put down her phone, she caught a glimpse of Elijah standing behind
her.
Lara quickly softened her voice. “Yes, have it sent to the seaside villa. I’m planning a little surprise for Eli tonight.”
Then, she casually turned around and said with a hint of curiosity, “Eli, what are you doing
here?”
Elijah only caught the last few words, and a smile slowly spread across his face. He draped the shawl gently over Lara’s shoulders and asked, “What surprise did you have planned for me?”
Lara bashfully tapped his chest. “You’re so annoying. If you already know, how is it a surprise?
#
The warmth from her touch stirred something strange in Elijah. He frowned, pressing a hand to his chest, convincing himself it was just excitement for the evening’s surprise.
After taking a shower that night, Elijah stood by the window, staring blankly at his phone. The chat window displayed a whole day of unanswered messages.
It was the first time Avery had gone so long without responding. She usually replied instantly. Days had passed with no messages.
It seemed she was truly angry. He considered buying her a gift to make up for it when he
returned home.
His fist clenched nervously as he struggled to keep his rising anxiety in check. Suddenly, a
Chapter 8
small, soft hand grabbed his tightly clenched fist.
Elijah turned in surprise. Lara was standing behind him in a sheer black dress. She looked alluring.
Blood rushed through him, and thoughts of Avery vanished completely from his mind.
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“Eli, enjoy your surprise midnight snack,” Lara whispered, lifting the short dress slightly to reveal her pale skin.
Elijah felt his temples throb. Without hesitation, he pulled Lara into his arms and kissed her
deeply.
Amid the frenzy, his mind flashed with the image of a pair of stubborn, cold eyes.
He couldn’t help murmuring her name, “Ave.”
The moment the name left his lips, his whole body froze.
Lara looked up in disbelief. “Eli, what did you just say?”
Elijah closed his eyes in frustration, scolding himself silently.
Just as he was about to soothe her, his phone rang.
“Mr. Tarver! The stock has hit the limit down. You need to come back immediately!”
He no longer had time to comfort Lara. Elijah hurried home in a panic, only to find the house in complete chaos.
The once orderly house looked as if a tornado had ripped through it.
Edwin sat on the sofa, looking ten years older overnight.
He lifted his weary, aged face and said, “There’s a rat in Tarver Group. You need to track them down. From now on, the company will be completely under your control.”
Elijah suppressed the turmoil in his chest. “Okay.”
Dominic stepped in quietly. “Mr. McPherson is here. He says he has something to discuss with you.”
Elijah’s gaze darkened, “Tell him to wait for me in the study.”
For years, the McPhersons had gotten by on whatever leftovers they could take from the Tarvers. The Tarvers had always been powerful and wealthy, yet now that they were in trouble, the McPhersons were likely facing even greater losses.
After finishing what he was handling, Elijah finally strode toward the study. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, voices drifted out from inside.
Chapter 8
Walter hesitantly said, “The three–year period is over. Avery has no reason to help me
anymore.”
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The person on the other end suddenly shouted, “As long as she still loves you, three nothing. Even ten years, she would do it willingly.”
years is
Walter let out a long sigh. “But now she’s completely gone, like she disappeared into thin air.” Outside the door, Elijah felt his blood run cold. A metallic taste surged in his throat.
Chapter 9
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Chapter 9
