The childhood memories flitted through Lori’s mind like scenes from some old movie, emboldening her. Hence, she couldn''t


    help bringing them up as she asked, “Elliot, do you still remember the time when | broke the vase in your family home? | think |


    was about eight at the time, and | was so scared | couldn''t stop shaking. You were the one who took the me for me, and I


    managed to get off without punishment!”


    Elliot was a little taken aback by this as he asked, “I did that? Huh. | totally forgot about it.”


    Her lips curled up in a smile. “Well, | still remember, because those are the happiest moments of my childhood. They say that a


    happy childhood is a soothing balm to the pains of growing up, you know. So, | guess | should thank you for giving me some of


    the best childhood memories.” She looked up at him after finishing her sentence and her gaze lingered on the features that she


    so adored.


    Hearing what she said, Elliot gave her a perfunctory smile. “Did you have a good time abroad?”


    “| suppose | did, though | was a little lonely,” she admitted with a sigh.


    “If | evere across someone suitable, I’d be sure to send them your way.”


    She feigned embarrassment as she mumbled, “You don’t even know my type.”


    “Oh, that’s right,” he said. “Come on, tell me.” He wanted to know what he should


    look out for if he wanted to set her up


    with someone.


    She narrowed her eyes as if in thought. A sweet smile broke over her face as she gazed at him and said, “I’m not asking for


    much. | want someone as handsome and capable as you.”


    Elliot''s instincts were sharp to begin with, and he could sense that the admiration she had for him was beyond tonic the


    moment he saw the smoldering gleam in her eyes. If he were any other man, he


    might find her love for him a triumph, something to gloat about to his peers. But he was not such a man, and her unsolicited


    affections only served to push him away.


    He eyed her sullenly as he said, “Lori, | do not wish to hear such things again.. Anastasia is the only woman for me, and


    nothing will ever change.”


    He ended his sentence calmly, but there was no hiding the dangerous warning that belied his words.


    At once, Lori bristled and quickly exined, “I think you''re getting the wrong idea here, Elliot. I’m not trying toe between


    you and your wife.”This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    “You''re like a baby sister to me; always have been, always will be,” he continued while his gaze darkened. At some point, it was


    like staring into the icy depths of some pitch-ck abyss.


    Achill ran down her spine when she heard this. More than anything, she was surprised to be rejected by him. “I’m sorry if |


    cracked a joke and it went too


    far. Elliot. | guess | thought it was okay for me to say something like that because of how much we used to hang out as children,”


    she apologizedmely, attempting to salvage the situation.


    However, Elliot did not bother letting her continue with her exnation, be it true or false. “I have a meeting to get to, so you


    should go.”


    With that, he picked up the documents he had signed earlier and walked back to his desk.


    Lori, on the other hand, rose in a daze and said slowly, “I''ll get going now then. Goodbye, Elliot.” When she was out of the


    office, she clutched the front of her shirt and stared into space helplessly. She never imagined him to be so loyal to his marriage,


    much less so protective over his wife.


    This could be a hurdle to her father’s ns, but she figured this hup was only due to the fact that Elliot was newly


    married. At some point, he would grow weary of Anastasia and begin to resent her for chaining him to a


    miserable marriage. If Kendra’s advice was anything to go by, he would start feeling that way around the time Anastasia fell


    pregnant again, and that would be Lori’s window of opportunity.


    Meanwhile, a fleet of cars was passing through the fields in the countryside, cruising down the road that led into the woods in the


    distance. Sophia was in the backseat of the second car in the fleet, and after taking a short nap, she woke up only to find that


    she was surrounded by acres and acres of farnd. As such, she rested her arms on the edge of the car window and peered


    out of the ss at the idyllic scenery.


    Arthur was going to evaluate a ce that was famed for its serenity, and he had brought along with him a renowned medium.


    It was around noon when they arrived at a restaurant that looked heavily outback inspired. The four cars of the fleet pulled into


    the parking lot after Arthur decided that they were going to have to settle for lunch here. They had driven close to fifty


    miles out of the city, and as things were, it was impossible for them to find a decent restaurant in that area, much less high-end


    dining establishments.


    When the second car rolled to a stop, Sophia happily got down from the vehicle. She was just about to stretch to loosen her


    joints when suddenly, arge and aggressive dog came rushing out of the doghouse on the premises and began barking


    ferociously at them.


    Being the closest one to the dog, Sophia visibly nched, and fear made her seek out the person most likely to protect her.


    Without a word, she instinctivelytched herself onto said person and clung to him for dear life.