When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

"Half a billion dollars?"

My jaw dropped. Was Lisa some kind of angel? Half a billion?

Eliana reached over, pushing my jaw back up with a smirk.

"The Crawfords have quite the appetite, so it's no surprise they haven't found a suitable match for a merger."

“And let's be real, her cozying up to Clyde, it's pretty obvious what she's after. The Mrs. Patterson title is worth way more than a few hundred million, right?"

"So, you better take care of yourself, secure your golden goose, and don't forget to give me that discount on the restaurant redesign, okay?"

She then pulled out two bottles of vitamins from her purse, "Warren asked me to give these to you."

Holding the bottles, I felt a mix of gratitude and concern.

I hadn't known Eliana and her brother from the Chandler family for long, but they had been nothing but kind to me.

"Alright, enough with the mushy stuff. Remember to go for your check-ups every week. You need to stay alive if you're going to keep digging. I've heard from my dad, there was something fishy about what happened to your family's business. But it was out of his field, so he didn't have much detail. Having dealt with the Patterson Group, you'd know that the cash flow doesn't just stop overnight. There must have been some warning signs. Your dad... I've met him. He seemed sharp enough to notice if something was wrong. I bet there was a mole."

I nodded silently. Indeed, it had to be Gale. But why would Galen do such a thing?All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

He had been in charge of the Crawfords' accounts, so he'd be the first one to face questions if anything went wrong.

Thinking about how he had moved his family abroad, I grew worried. Could he have known trouble was coming and secured a way out for his kids, just like my mom did?

"Eliana, thank you. I owe you..."

"Pay me back by living a long and healthy life," she quipped, then kicked me under the table before pulling out a file.

"I know you're busy, but my family's planning to build a new headquarters in Ironvale. Youmust design it."

"I'll also dig around for info on the Crawfords for you. Ironvale is their stronghold, after all!"

"Oh, and I'm expecting the friends and family rate, not a penny more, or I'll be on your case!"

I chuckled, eagerly serving her more food.

Eliana might be tough and not the most tactful, but she was genuinely caring.

She even mentioned that a few managers from the Crawford family had quit to work at her family's diner in Ironvale and offered to introduce me to them.

Thinking about some of the

management practices of the

Crawford family in the past, el

also

to

a little excited.

Belongs

If they can tell the truth, it will be much easier to investigate.

We spent hours discussing the project over dinner, and before

Wit, it was dark outside. I received a call from et

I

"Babe, can you pick me up?" Clyde's voice was slurred, as if he had been drinking.

Then I heard Lisa's sugary voice in the background.

"Clyde, why aren't you coming over? My head is spinning."

Her voice was so overly sweet that it made Eliana visibly shudder.

Clyde lowered his voice, repeating, "Come get me."

He hung up quickly, and I received a text with a hotel address.

Eliana leaned in, “Oh my god, a love hotel? Mirrors everywhere and all sorts of... accessories?"

I didn't have time to question her detailed knowledge, grabbing my purse in a hurry.

"Sorry, I need to go get him."

"I'm coming too. I'll drive, I'm super fast!"

Eliana's excitement was palpable, and I just nodded, resigned to her joining this unexpected adventure.