Chapter 170
Chapter 170:
“Got it.”
Pulling out his smartphone, Aiden browsed through his contacts to find Janice’s number. He hesitated for a split second before making the call.
As the phone rang, a wave of unexpected tension washed over him.
Realizing his own emotions, he shook his head with a touch of self-mockery. Since when had he become so concerned about Janice?
This newfound concern was disconcerting. He was usually the one steering things, but lately, he felt unusually reactive.
“Aiden?”
The call connected. Janice’s voice cut through the line, surrounded by ambient noise that clearly wasn’t coming from Delgado Jewelry.
Aiden focused, maintaining a steady voice. “How’s the new job treating you?”
“Checking in on me, are you?” Janice’s response was light and teasing, seemingly oblivious to Aiden’s deeper motives.
“Have you started playing the devoted husband now?”
“Enough small talk,” Aiden responded with a subdued smile. “Just a reminder—don’t lose sight of your mission. I suspect Bart will act soon.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll seize the right moment to get Kenneth talking,” Janice replied lightly, her tone revealing nothing. “And if that fails, I might just have to use the honey trap.”
“Janice!” Aiden’s voice rose, betraying a flicker of agitation. Realizing his outburst, he quickly composed himself and continued in a measured tone, “You are my wife now, even if in name only. Don’t do anything that could harm my reputation.”
Janice paused before responding, “If I didn’t know this was a marriage of convenience, I might have thought you were jealous just now. But alright, I’ll respect your wishes.”
Aiden exhaled slowly, steadying his emotions. “You’re not at Delgado Jewelry, are you?”
ⱠⒶⵜẸŞ₸ ₡Ḥ₳₱₸ɆⱤŞ ⱻ g𝒶lnovєl𝑠.𝑐ᴏm
“No,” Janice replied without hesitation. “I’m out shopping with Sierra.”
“Shopping?” Aiden blinked, caught off guard. “You skipped work to go shopping? And since when are you so close with Sierra?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll explain later. She’s calling me now; I have to go. We’ll talk when I get back.”
Before Aiden could say another word, the line went dead. The dial tone in his ear only deepened his frustration. He raised his head to look at Braylen.
Braylen was briefly startled but quickly understood the unspoken command. “I’ll look into it right away.”
It didn’t take long for Braylen to uncover the truth. Sierra had recently joined Delgado Jewelry and, interestingly, had requested to work as Janice’s assistant.
Aiden frowned. Sierra’s move was unexpected and left him puzzled. He knew her to be straightforward, not someone with hidden agendas. Her attachment to Janice seemed more like a personal preference than a calculated plan.
After a brief silence, Aiden exhaled deeply and leaned back in his chair, shutting his eyes. “Let’s head back.”
Though the day hadn’t been particularly eventful, Aiden felt uncharacteristically drained, as though an avalanche of concerns had suddenly descended on him. His mind churned with unanswered questions, leaving him grappling for clarity. The matter of Tess’ identity demanded confirmation, and Janice’s possible visit to Auburn Hospital still needed to be clarified.
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