Chapter 64

Chapter 64:

“A congratulations gift,” he said.

Eliza opened it. Inside lay a delicate platinum bracelet — simple and elegant, with a single small charm shaped like a compass.

“Dallas, this is too much,” she protested. “I have a salary now. I can buy my own things p>

“It matches the S&D dress code. Put it on p>

He lifted it from the box and clasped it around her wrist, his fingers lingering a moment over her pulse point. The metal was cool against her skin.

“Did you call her?” Eliza asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“I may have mentioned that a talented artist was being unfairly blocked by petty politics,” he admitted.

Eliza’s expression fell. “So I didn’t get it on merit p>

Dallas gripped her shoulders and looked her directly in the eye. “You got the interview on my recommendation. You got the job on your merit. Augustina doesn’t hire charity cases. If you were mediocre, she would have given you tea and sent you home p>

Eliza looked down at the bracelet. She felt supported, not controlled. It was a fine line, and Dallas was walking it carefully.

D𝗂𝘀co𝘃𝘦𝘳 𝗁𝗶𝖽𝖽𝘦ո 𝘨еm𝘀 𝗼𝗻 ѕ.𝖼о𝗺

“Thank you,” she whispered. “For believing in me p>

“Always,” he said.

His phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen, and his expression darkened.

“It’s Anson,” Dallas muttered. “He knows p>

The restaurant was dimly lit and smelled of truffle oil and expensive wine.

Dallas raised his glass. “To the new Junior Restorer p>

Eliza clinked hers against his. She was happy. Truly happy.

“I realized something,” she said, cutting into her steak. “Gavin mentioned a restraining order. Only Anson would say something like that. He tried to sabotage me — even after the hospital p>

“He is a child who breaks toys he can’t play with,” Dallas said darkly. “He is desperate p>

Eliza’s phone rang. She checked the screen.

Victoria Hyde.

Her thumb hovered over the decline button.

Dallas glanced at the screen and nodded. “Answer it p>

Eliza put the phone to her ear. “Hello p>

“Eliza! You have to come. Anson is — he’s in a bad state.” Victoria Hyde’s voice was frantic, her usual composure completely unraveled. “He has a fever of 102. He keeps calling your name. He refuses to go to the hospital unless you tell him to. He’s delirious p>

“I’m having dinner, Victoria,” Eliza said coolly.

“Please! I know he hurt you, but he’s my son — he’s the boy you grew up with! Do you want his death on your conscience p>

The ultimate guilt card, played without hesitation.

Eliza looked across the table at Dallas. He was perfectly calm, cutting his steak with unhurried precision.

“Go,” Dallas said unexpectedly.

Eliza covered the phone. “What? Why p>

“Go and see him.” He set down his knife. “See him weak. See him pathetic. Kill whatever pity you have left. If you don’t go, you’ll spend the night wondering whether he died. Go. Finish it p>

Eliza nodded. She understood. She needed to see the monster without his mask.