Chapter 143


    “It’s over. My heart can now enjoy some peace.”


    Eliana leaned back in her chair and looked over the design draft on theputer with a sigh of


    contentment. The day hade to a close for her.


    She took a peek at her phone and saw that it was still early.


    What if she left work early today? That way, she was able to avoid seeing Maurice and still pick up the


    children.


    Eliana hurriedly packed up and left the workce, thinking it was a wonderful idea.


    Maurice and Corbin were standing nearby with a Rolls-Royce parked in front of them as she


    approached the corporate gate.


    Could Eliana go back unnoticed?


    Corbin waved at Eliana when he saw her standing outside thepany’s gate. “What a coincidence!


    You finished up your work early today. What’s your n?” he asked.


    “The timing couldn’t be better! It seems that Mr. Moran also leaves work at this time. I have an errand


    to attend to near mor Road.” Eliana feigned a grin as she stealthily retracted her left leg and turned


    to face the other direction.


    Adrian and Aileen’s kindergarten was located close to mor Road.


    Eliana was certain that Maurice would find no errors in her assertions.


    It dawned on Corbin that they were both headed in the same direction.


    Corbin had an idea after casting a close look at Maurice, who was standing aside quietly.


    “What a happy ident! We’ll be heading to a nearby ce as well. I bet you need a ride. Hop in the


    car.”


    Maurice gave Corbin an apathetic look and ultimately did not refuse.


    Eliana’s jaw dropped. They couldn’t possibly be going to the same ce.


    When she was ready to reject, she recalled Hodge’s condition and swallowed her words of rejection.


    She didn’t want to betray Maurice, not in the slightest. She was just looking for information about the


    ring. Suppose the ring Hodge described was the one that the dog had swallowed. Then she had a


    clearer idea of where it was.


    “Sure, Mr. Moran, thank you very much.”


    Eliana opened the door and climbed into the vehicle. She was seated next to Maurice.


    Maurice had been quiet until now, his ice-cold features projecting an air of aloofness.


    Eliana had no idea how to start a conversation with him; thus she had to make peace with the chilly


    atmosphere.


    Even Corbin, who was driving the automobile at the time, was unable to handle the dismal mood.


    To help de-stress, how about tuning in to the broadcast?


    The radio was cranked up by Corbin.


    “That breakup couldn’t get any better. I pray for your well-being. The good ones are still not over…”


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Crap! Who wrote that sort of song?


    Corbin did not waste any time changing the channel.


    “I wasn’t being dishonest. Is there any reason for me to fabricate a story? You’re familiar with who I am.


    I will never put on a show for you. I didn’t make any false statements. If you believe you are not


    receable, you’re wrong…”


    The air in the automobile was bing thicker and thicker.


    “Could those be the worst songs everposed? My head is pounding because of themotion.


    You may turn it off now,” Maurice yelled angrily.


    Cold perspiration dripped from Corbin’s brow as he switched off the radio.


    Why was he always the one getting hurt?


    The music stopped, and Eliana was finally able to open her mouth.


    She pretended to remark unwittingly, “I have a question for you, Mr. Moran. I hope you’ll answer me.”


    “Well, of course,” Maurice calmly said.


    There was some hope!


    “I wonder whether you know anything about the design of jewelry rings,” Eliana inquired.


    Maurice’s gaze shifted to Eliana as he heard this. He hadn’t looked her in the eyes since they’d gotten


    in the vehicle.


    Maurice was thinking about the messages she’d sent to Preston then. He was aware that Eliana was


    testing him in regards to the ring, but had no intention of exposing her.


    He would like to see how she was going to do that.


    His eyebrows arched, Maurice said, “I have some rough ideas. What’s the point of asking?”


    That was just awesome! “May I ask you, Mr. Moran? Do you recognize this ruby ring?” questioned


    Eliana, after locating the picture of the jewelry Hodge had sent her and giving it to Maurice.


    Maurice’s pupils constricted. He had no idea Gerald’s staff would present the picture to her directly.


    What a dummy!


    As soon as Eliana mentioned a ruby ring, Corbin’s attention turned from the road to the conversation.


    He feared that his employer’s other identity would be found out.


    Corbin was engrossed in his thoughts and didn’t see the automobile ahead. So he braked hard…