Chapter 20
Alexander introduced Elena. “This is Elena Miller, my… friend.”
“Hello,” Elena greeted politely.
Although they had only known each other for a few days, the experiences they had shared were intense enough to make them friends.
“Ms. Miller, it’s good to see you,” Kaysen said. His smile widened, deepening the laugh lines around his
eyes.
“Please, come in. I got Noah’s call and started preparing. Everything should be ready now.”
The restaurant was otherwise empty except for them and a few servers, indicating that the breakfast service wasn’t open to the public today.
As soon as they sat down, the servers brought over two plates of warm, freshly baked breakfast rolls. The buns were soft and pillowy, with a golden, slightly glossy crust. Each was stuffed with a savory egg and
sausage patty.
Elena, who hadn’t felt hungry before, suddenly found her stomach growling.
“These breakfast rolls with eggs and sausage patties are the chef’s specialty,” Alexander said, using a fork to place one on her plate. “Try it.”
The moment she bit into the breakfast roll, the rich, buttery flavor melted on her tongue, and Elena’s eyes lit up. It was delicious.
Seeing her expression light up, a smile slowly tugged at the corners of Alexander’s lips.
Kaysen returned with several servers, each carrying a variety of dishes-oatmeal, mini quiches, and smoked salmon. They laid out a generous spread on the table.
“All served,” Kaysen said with a chuckle. “I’ve brought out all the breakfast specials we have today. Enjoy.”
Then he and the servers stepped back, leaving Alexander and Elena to their meal.
As the morning mist lifted, sunlight poured through the carved windowpanes, falling across the table and casting their shadows in narrow stripes.
Elena used to have simple breakfasts-maybe two bagels or a muffin-but today she ate heartily, savoring every dish.
Everything tasted amazing, and the warmth of the food seemed to chase away the morning chill.
She and Alexander didn’t speak. They ate quietly. Occasionally, Alexander would place a bagel or a mini quiche on her plate or serve her a bowl of oatmeal.
Near the end of the meal, Elena’s phone buzzed with a text message. “The driver died in prison a year
Chapter 20
ago. He committed suicide.”
Elena’s eyes widened, and she pursed her lips.
The car accident had left her with deep emotional scars, so when she first learned that the driver had been jailed, she stopped paying attention.
It wasn’t until she overheard Justin’s call revealing the truth about the car accident that she quietly sent someone to the prison to question the driver, hoping to get information from him.
But now she learned he had already taken his own life a year ago.
He was the most important witness.
But Elena quickly calmed herself and replied to the message. “Check if he has any family and where they are now.”
The response came back almost immediately. “Okay.”
Alexander noticed her expression shift and asked, “Did something happen?”
Snapping back to the present, Elena smiled lightly and replied, “Nothing.”
Alexander didn’t press further. After finishing their breakfast, they thanked Kaysen and left.
“Where do you live? I’ll drive you,” Alexander said, opening the car door for her.
Elena knew it would be difficult to hail a cab here, so she didn’t refuse. “Could you take me to Riggs Group, Mr. Golden?”
Alexander’s tone turned serious. “Ms. Miller, what you need right now is rest. You shouldn’t be working yourself to exhaustion for that man.”
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