Chapter 24 I’m Right in Front of You
Chapter 24 I’m Right in Front of You
Vania led Alisa forward with her usual poise.
“Good afternoon, Laurel,” Alisa greeted politely.
Laurel replied warmly, “Alisa, do sit down. First time here, isn’t it? Make yourself at home-”
She didn’t get to finish. A housemaid hurried in with a cell phone in hand. “Mrs. Green, a call for you.”
The moment the words landed, Laurel’s face tightened.
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At this hour, the only person who would dare call her was the one who’d been blackmailing her with those photographs.
She had been waiting–days and nights both–for the call that never came. And now, suddenly, here it was.
After a single beat of hesitation, she knew exactly which was more important.
Forgetting her manners entirely, Laurel rose from the sofa, snatched the phone from the maid, and turned to the two women. “Vania, give me just a moment–I’ll be right back.”
“Of course,” Vania replied easily.
Alisa caught every flicker of that urgency in Laurel’s expression, the corners of her mouth curling in the faintest, private smile.
Laurel stepped a few paces away before answering. “Hello?”
On the other end, Ricky’s voice came through a voice modulator, metallic and strange.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Green. Why put things off? Let’s meet today.”
1
Laurel’s breath caught. “What? Now?”
“Yes,” Ricky said simply.
“I have guests at the house. Can’t we-
”
“No. Don’t worry. I’m already here. Just make sure Mr. Keller shows up.”
Laurel’s heart jolted; she grew panicked. “What? You’re already here? Where exactly?”
“Right in front of you.”
And with that, the line went dead.
For a long moment she just stood there, struggling to catch up with the words. Then it struck her, and she turned sharply toward the living room! Her gaze landed on the two women, and her face went pale.
Vania was sipping tea, and Alisa was idly adjusting the cuff of her blouse.
One was an old friend of many years; the other, a junior.
There was simply no way either could be involved in something as sordid as this, was there?
Then what did “right in front of you” mean?
Laurel had weathered her share of storms, and she forced herself to steady. First things first–she called Martin and told him to come to the Green estate immediately.
When she returned, she put on a smile. “Vania, I’m back.”
1/2
3:20 PMP.
Chapter 24 I’m Right in Front of You
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“Are you feeling all right?” Vania asked with casual concern. “What on earth made you keel over like that the other day? You’ve always been healthier than me.”
The two women fell into light chatter.
Alisa kept her silence, sitting off to the side with an air of calm detachment.
About 20 minutes later, Martin arrived.
The Kellers and the Greens had known each other for decades. In the past, Martin had avoided visiting in person–too many rumors to risk–but this matter touched his personal reputation. He had no choice today.
The butler greeted him at the door, and his deep voice carried clearly into the sitting room.
Vania set down her cup and looked toward the entryway with a smile. “Well, if it isn’t Martin. What brings you here?”
Alisa, lounging slightly into the sofa, lifted her gaze to the clock on the wall.
Laurel forced an awkward laugh. “Who knows? Martin just turns up whenever he pleases, without a word beforehand.”
Moments later, Martin stepped inside.
Alisa glanced at him; naturally, he was still robust for his
The timing was just about right. She turned to Vania and reminded her, “Grandma, it’s getting late. I need to get home to take my medicine.”
Ever since moving back in with the Roffes, Alisa’s days had been marked by medicine.
At first, it was for her injuries; later, it was to rebuild her strength. Just as she’d begun to feel better, she’d caught a cold, and the pills had never stopped coming.
Vania adored her, so the moment Alisa mentioned it was time for her medicine, there was no question about leaving.
No matter how important the occasion, nothing came before her granddaughter’s health.
“Is that so? Well, we can’t have you missing your medicine. I’d planned to stay a bit longer, but it looks like that’s out of the question. Laurel, I’ll leave you to chat with Martin.”
Martin had only just stepped into the room when he overheard they were on their way out.
For him and Laurel, it was welcome news–after all, they had someone important to meet later.
Laurel didn’t ask them to stay.
“You’ve barely stayed,” Laurel said lightly, “but I’m not feeling well myself. I won’t keep you. Next time, I’ll make sure to host you properly.”
Vania waved a hand, taking Alisa by the arm and rising from the sofa,
But she and Alisa had way too much tea earlier; besides, age had its way—she felt the urge to excuse herself. “Alisa, wait here for me. I need to step into the restroom.”
“All right.”
That, too, was part of Alisa’s plan.
As Vania left, Alisa eased herself back into the sofa.
Martin came to stand beside the sofa, and the butler stepped in to pour him a cup of tea.
