Chapter 17
The office lay in perfect silence, broken only by the sound of two heartbeats–Lorraine’s racing in a frantic rhythm, while Eugene’s pulsed with a sto unyielding steadiness.
Eugene kept a deliberate distance. His sharp eyes locked onto her, unlinking
Lorraine didn’t have to look to feel it–the heavy focus of his gaze tracking her every movement.
She gnawed at her lip, leaving faint indents behind. Under that piercing stare, her heart threatened to stutter to a halt.
“Do you really want to know?” His voice cut through the silence at last.
Curiosity prickled at her, but something in his tone sent a jolt of unease down her spine. Her breath hitched before she could stop it.
Her palms were damp with sweat. She secretly wiped them on the back of her bathrobe and nodded firmly.
Eugene’s expression grow serious, and he started to speak. But before he could say anything, his phone rang sharply.
He picked it up from the polished desk, checked the screen, and hesitated. Then, turning to Lorraine, he said, “Wait here.” Without another word, he walked but, leaving her alone.
Lorraine’s legs ached from all the walking. Grateful for the chance to rest, she crossed the room and sank into the office sofa with a quiet sigh.
The spacious office was styled in sleek blacks and grays, its high–end furniture radiating quiet luxury. As she settled in, her gaze drifted to the desk- where a framed photo caught her eye.
The photograph captured a tall, imposing man standing on a sunlit lawn. A single beam of golden light broke through the clouds, bathing him in its warm
glow.
Lorraine’s breath caught. She was certain it was Eugene. Her heart raced as she hurried to the photo, turned it over quickly, and then sat back down
stiffly.
——
Thirty minutes later, Eugene emerged from the meeting room just as Isaac stepped off the elevator.
“Mr. Moore,” Isaac said, holding the envelope in his hand, “I’ve retrieved the documents from Silverlake Villa as requested. Shall I take these to Ms. for signature?”
Eugene gave a brief nod.
The two men walked to Eugene’s office, one behind the other
Shaw
When they got to the door, Isaac rushed forward to open it. Then he suddenly stopped dead, his hand gripping the doorknob. “Mr. Moore,” he said, voice catching. “Ms. Shaw, she’s-
“What about her?” Eugene demanded.
“She’s gone,” Isaac said cautiously. He hadn’t anticipated Lorraine vanishing without a trace again.
Eugene’s expression darkened. “Explain it.”
“She received a phone call and left immediately afterward,” the young secretary offered timidly
Eugene’s jaw clenched, a sign the secretary recognized too well. She held her breath, sure he was still angry about Lorraine slapping him earlier,
“Did she say where she was going?” Isaac pressed
Chapter 17
The secretary shook her head. “No, she just rushed out.”
“Don’t bother asking,” Eugene said evenly, his eyes flickering to the overturned photo on his desk. “One thing’s certain–she won’t be retiring i Silverlake Villa.”
“Should I have someone track her down? Ms. Shaw can’t have many places to- Isaac already had his phone out, prepared to mobilize a search.
Eugene smirked, his confidence unshaken. “No need. Next time we’ll meet somewhere more
appropriate.”
Isaac frowned, struggling to understand his boss’s meaning,
But Eugene offered no explanation. He strode into the office, tossing a sentence over his shoulder. “Keep the documents handy. We’ll need them soon
“Understood,” Isaac replied.
