Chapter 179
Chapter 179:
Genevieve Koch stepped out, flanked by two assistants who both looked quietly terrified. She was wearing a tweed suit that had almost certainly cost more than Eliza’s entire education.
“Gigi!” Eliza said, startled.
The matriarch marched toward her, cane clicking rhythmically on the polished floor. “What are you doing here? Did you break up with the boyfriend? The adequate one p>
Behind the desk, the receptionist’s jaw shifted almost imperceptibly. The matriarch knew this girl?
Eliza’s mind raced. Gigi didn’t know she was married to Dallas. She believed Eliza had a boyfriend.
“I’m here to see my boyfriend,” Eliza said, stacking one lie cleanly on top of another. “He works here p>
“Oh!” Gigi’s eyes brightened. “Which floor? Is he an executive p>
C𝗵𝗶n𝘦ѕе 𝘯𝗼𝘷e𝗹𝘴 t𝗋a𝗻𝘴𝘭𝘢t𝘦𝖽 оn
“Sixth floor,” Eliza said, the first thing that surfaced in her mind tumbling out. “Accounting p>
Gigi wrinkled her nose. “Accounting?” she repeated, her internal calculus visibly turning. An artist with an accountant. “Dull. But stable. Still — excellent! I’m going up to see my grandson on the top floor. I’ll walk you to the elevator.” She linked her arm firmly through Eliza’s. Her grip was surprisingly strong.
“Come along,” she commanded.
They entered the elevator together. Behind the reception desk, the woman who had just dismissed Eliza looked as though she might need a moment to sit down.
“So, this boyfriend,” Gigi said as the doors closed. “Is he treating you well p>
“Yes. He’s wonderful,” Eliza said, perspiring mildly.
“Good. If he ever messes up, drop him. My grandson is single. And rich. And he needs a wife who isn’t a plastic doll.” Gigi gave her a decisive wink.
The elevator dinged at the sixth floor.
“Here you go!” Gigi gave Eliza a gentle push toward the doors. “Go find your Romeo p>
Eliza stumbled out into the Accounting Department.
It was a landscape of grey cubicles, ringing phones, and furious typing. One by one, heads turned toward the girl in jeans who had just been deposited from the executive elevator by the formidable Gigi Koch.
She had no boyfriend here. She had a lunchbox for the CEO and absolutely no plan.
She needed to reach the top floor without Gigi seeing her.
She located the fire stairs door. Card access only.
Damn.
A young accountant passed by with a headset slung around his neck and a name tag that read Ben. He had kind eyes and the expression of someone who had seen stranger things but was still curious.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“I’m looking for the bathroom,” Eliza said.
“Down the hall, take a left,” Ben said, with a smile that suggested he thought she was lost, cute, or both.
Eliza walked briskly to the bathroom, locked herself in a stall, and pulled out her phone.
Eliza: I’m stuck in Accounting. Hiding in the bathroom. Gigi is here. Help.
Dallas was in the middle of reviewing acquisition files for a tech startup when his phone buzzed.
Stuck in Accounting. Hiding in the bathroom. Gigi is here. Help.
He frowned. Accounting? Why was his wife in Accounting?
Before he could reply, the heavy oak doors of his office swung open. Gigi didn’t knock. She never knocked.