Chapter 282
Chapter 282:
Suki was wearing oversized sunglasses and a silk scarf wrapped around her head, concealing the blonde hair dyed to match Eliza’s honey-brown shade. She was picking apart a croissant.
“She looks desperate,” Anson corrected her. “Desperation makes people predictable p>
“Boss, how long do I have to keep this up?” Suki whined, touching her face. “I want to go back to being me. This makeup itches, and I hate these boring clothes p>
Anson’s hand shot across the table and closed around her wrist. His grip was bruising.
“You will be her until I say stop,” he said quietly. “Until the ink on the divorce papers is dry. Do you understand p>
Suki flinched and pulled her hand back. “Okay. Fine. That Weston guy — he’s an idiot. He totally bought it yesterday. He looked like he wanted to kill me p>
“People see what they expect to see,” Anson said. He pulled out his phone and scrolled absently. He nodded to his driver, who stood waiting near the door. “Follow her. See where she goes p>
The Nightingale Diner was a sanctuary of fluorescent light and the smell of frying bacon, the low hum of conversation a welcome relief from the chaos of the hospital.
Eliza felt out of place. Bella had met her at the apartment and helped her into a simple black sheath dress and low heels — professional, but it felt like armor. She clutched her purse and navigated through the tables.
I still think this is a bad idea, Bella had warned before she left. That doctor sounds like a creep.
He’s the only way in, Eliza had replied.
F𝗈𝗅lо𝘄 𝘂ѕ оn
She spotted him at the back. A corner booth, shielded from the main floor.
Dr. Vance sat alone, nursing a black coffee, looking different without his lab coat — more like a predator in repose. An open medical journal lay beside a plate with a half-eaten slice of pie.
Eliza took a breath and walked to the table.
Vance looked up. His eyes made a slow pass from her head to her feet. He smirked.
“Punctual,” he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. “And you cleaned up. Good p>
Eliza sat on the edge of the vinyl cushion. “Take me to him. You promised p>
Vance took a long, unhurried sip of coffee and slid the sugar dispenser across the table toward her. “Coffee first. Then we talk p>
Eliza looked at the pot the waitress had left. “I don’t want coffee p>
“I don’t trust people who won’t share a pot of coffee with me,” Vance said, leaning back and crossing his arms. “It makes me think they’re hiding something. Drink it, and I’ll tell you the truth about his leg p>
Eliza didn’t hesitate. She poured a cup, black, and took a large swallow. It burned her tongue. She set the cup down firmly.
“Happy?” she rasped.
Vance slow-clapped once. “You have guts. But I changed my mind p>
Eliza’s hands curled into fists. “You’re playing with me p>