Chapter 196

Clifford studied him for a moment before speaking. "Mortimer Farley?"

“Uh, yeah, that's me. But Mr. Lambert..." Mortimer glanced from Latisha to Clifford, his confusion growing. He'd assumed she was a maid, but no boss takes their maid out for a fancy dinner. If she wasn't a maid, then what was going on with Clifford and that other woman last night?

His mind reeling, Mortimer decided to ask directly. "Mr. Lambert, what is she to you?"

A faint, mocking smile touched Clifford's lips. “What she is to me is none of your business."

Mortimer was taken aback by the blunt reply, and a flicker of anger rose in him. "I was just asking. You locked her in a car, you—"

He was cut short by a tug on his sleeve. It was Latisha. She looked at him with pleading eyes and shook her head slightly, begging him to stop.

Mortimer sighed. "Fine, I won't ask. Enjoy your meal."

He gave Latisha a small smile. "Talk to you later."

Latisha watched him walk away, her heart pounding. She stole a glance at Clifford. His face was a blank mask, but a sense of unease settled deep in her stomach. She wanted to explain, but he was already standing up and walking out. She scrambled to follow him. He walked so fast she had to jog to keep up.

In the parking garage, she quickly got into the car and watched him, trying to read his reaction.

He leaned against the window and lit a cigarette. The car filled with a tense silence as he smoked. When he was finished, he started the engine and drove away without a word.

...

Back in the restaurant, Mortimer was distracted and lost in thought.

Sean scratched his head. "What's wrong? You seem out of it."

Venet

Mortimer tapped his chin, fiddling with his spoon. "What do you their relationship is?"

The girl, Alice, scoffed. "Why do you care? It has nothing to do with you."

Mortimer looked up, annoyed. “What's your problem? I didn't do anything to you."

Alice just huffed and turned away.

Mortimer frowned. Something was off with everyone tonight.

Sean chuckled. "Dude, Alice is jealous."

Alice shot him a glare. "You're the one who's jealous! Are you sick?"

Sean shrank back, silenced.

Mortimer eyed Alice suspiciously but let it go.

Clifford drove Latisha back to the villa. He didn't speak the entire way, and she followed him inside in silence. He went straight to his study without a word to her.

Latisha stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching him disappear. She couldn't tell if he was angry again. His Slence was more frightening, than his usual outbursts

Upstairs, Clifford answered a phone call.

"Hayley Dashiell is dying."