Chapter 284
Chapter 284:
Suki slipped inside, wearing a sheer silk robe she had found in Eliza’s old closet.
“Boss?” Her voice was husky. “You look tense p>
Anson turned. He looked at her, and for a moment, in the dim light, she looked exactly like Eliza — the same curve of the hip, the same tilt of the head.
Suki mistook his stare for desire. She crossed the room toward him, swaying her hips.
“Since you like this face so much,” she purred, reaching out to touch his chest, “why don’t we—” She moved to sit on the edge of his desk, leaning toward him.
Anson’s expression didn’t change. He set his glass down.
Then his hand shot out and closed around her throat.
𝘙o𝗆a𝗻cе n𝘰𝘷𝘦𝗹ѕ 𝗈𝗻 g𝘢𝗹ոо𝘃еl𝘀.𝘤𝗼𝗆
It happened so fast Suki had no time to scream. He slammed her back against the heavy oak desk.
“Don’t,” Anson whispered, his face inches from hers. His eyes were dead. “Don’t you ever use that face to make that cheap expression p>
Suki clawed at his hand, eyes bulging, unable to breathe.
“You are a canvas,” Anson said, tightening his grip. “You are paint and plastic. You are not her. You are a fake. Do you understand? Fake.” He shoved her away.
Suki stumbled and fell to the floor, gasping, clutching her throat.
“Get out,” Anson said, wiping his hand on his trousers as though he had touched something unclean. “Go back to your room. If I see you out of character again, I’ll break your nose p>
Suki scrambled backward on the floor, her eyes wide with terror. She understood then that Anson Hyde wasn’t merely a jealous ex-lover. He was unhinged.
The next morning, Eliza was up before sunrise, pacing her small apartment living room.
Her phone rang. Victoria’s private nurse.
“Ms. Solomon? Mrs. Hyde has a follow-up appointment at Lenox Hill today — cardiology. She needs a family member to sign the consent forms for a new medication p>
Eliza stopped pacing. Lenox Hill.
It was perfect. A legitimate reason to be in the building. Even if Weston saw her, she had a legal excuse.
“I’ll be there,” Eliza said. “Bring her to the VIP intake on the fourth floor. I’ll meet you p>
She hung up and grabbed her coat. She didn’t bother with makeup. She pulled her hair back into a messy bun. She wanted Dallas to see her raw.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Vance.
Loading dock. 5 minutes.
She took a taxi to the hospital and directed the driver to the service entrance around the back.
Vance was there, leaning against a dumpster, smoking a cigarette. He looked conspicuously out of place in his expensive suit amid the garbage bags.
“You’re early,” he said, dropping the cigarette and crushing it under his heel.
“I have a cover,” Eliza said. “Victoria is here for a checkup. I’m signing her paperwork p>
Vance raised an eyebrow. “Smart. Using the enemy as a shield.” He stepped closer. “Is he awake p>