Chapter 26 Don't Let Me Catch You Lying
Elizabeth was on the phone, "Mr. Wilson, it's kinda tricky to explain over the phone. How about we meet up?"
Charles was all in, "Sure thing, Elizabeth. Shoot me the location, and I'll head over right now."
Elizabeth was supposed to be at school working on her thesis. But talking investments with Charles at school didn't seem to be suitable. So, she picked a restaurant off-campus and sent the location to Charles.
"Mr. Wilson, I sent you the spot. No rush," she said.
"Got it, Elizabeth. I'm on my way."
She could hear his car engine revving up through the phone.
Elizabeth stared at the extra $1 million in her bank account, lost in thought. Who the heck was this guy? He didn't even drop his real name. If it was a scam, it was a weird one. Who scams by sending a million bucks first?
She sat in the restaurant, waiting for Charles. Half an hour later, he showed up.
"Elizabeth, is it for real? Did Mr. F really drop a million on you, saying he wants in on our new product?" Charles was buzzing.
Elizabeth nodded, "Yep, got it. He called it his earnest money."
"Wow, Mr. F must be loaded. A million is chump change to him. Elizabeth, call him up and set a meeting so we can hash this out," Charles jabbered, flooded with excitement.
Elizabeth frowned, "I asked. He said he's tied up this week but set a meet for Friday night at the Elysium Club."
"Elysium Club? That's the swankiest joint in Aurora Bay! No worries. I'll tag along. We gotta lock this investor down. The Jones Group needs this."
Charles was grinning ear to ear. His excitement was catching, and Elizabeth, who'd been stressed for days, finally relaxed and smiled, too.
Friday morning, Elizabeth was having breakfast. Michael casually mentioned, "It's been a while since we saw my mom. No classes tomorrow, right? How about dinner at the Thomas Villa tonight?"
Elizabeth shot back, "Can't. Got stuff at school. Gonna work on my thesis with a classmate."
Michael gave her a cold stare, "Elizabeth, you sure about that?"
She thought about her meet with Mr. F at the Elysium Club. No way she was telling Michael. What if he showed up and messed things up? Where would she find another rich investor?
So she firmly replied, "Yep, gotta work on the thesis tonight. Can't make it to the Thomas Villa."
Michael put down his utensils, took a slow sip of water, "Elizabeth, remember, we're still married. You're still my wife. "
He wiped his mouth, gave her a look, and his bodyguard came over to push his wheelchair. As he was leaving, Michael turned slightly and warned, "Elizabeth, don't let me catch you lying. If I do, you won't like the consequences."
After that, he and the bodyguard left.
Elizabeth lost her appetite and put down her utensils, her mind racing. 'Tonight's the night I'm meeting H at the Elysium Club. Could Michael already know?'
She quickly reassured herself, 'Nah, no way it's that coincidental.'
Besides, snagging this investment was the only way to save The Jones Group. No matter Michael's attitude, she was going to the Elysium Club tonight to meet Mr. F.
The meet was set for 6 PM. At 5:30, Elizabeth rolled up to the Elysium Club. She called Charles, "Mr. Wilson, I'm here."
"Elizabeth, I'm stuck in traffic. You go ahead and talk to Mr. F first. I'll be a few minutes late," Charles said.
"Alright, I'll wait for you in the private room." She hung up and stashed her phone in her bag. Walking down the dimly lit corridor, she looked for the private room Mr. F had reserved.
Suddenly, a door next to her swung open. Before she could react, she was yanked into the room. Elizabeth screamed. A strong force threw her onto the couch. Dizzy from the fall, she tried to sit up and see who was so rough.
"Who are you? What do you want?" she yelled, holding her head.
Through the dim light, she saw Michael's bodyguard opening the door to leave, then closing it behind him. Michael's bodyguard? What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be with Michael, having dinner at the Thomas Villa?
A chill ran down her spine. If the bodyguard was here, Michael must be nearby. He might even be in this club. She felt a cold sweat break out as she sat up and saw Michael in the room. The dim light highlighted his cold gaze. He was sitting in his wheelchair, radiating a terrifying chill.
Elizabeth felt weak all over. Didn't Michael say he was going to the Thomas Villa for dinner? Was he lying? Or did he have someone tail her? How else could he have gotten here first? He was clearly waiting for her.
Driven by a strong survival instinct, she scrambled up from the couch and bolted for the door. Her hands shook as she tried to pull it open, but it wouldn't budge. She was shaking all over, still trying to open the door.
Behind her, she heard the wheelchair moving. The sound was like a call from hell. Cold sweat ran down her back.
Then Michael's cold voice cut through the air, "Elizabeth, what? Revising your thesis in such a dim place? Can you even see clearly?"
She stopped trying to open the door and then turned around. Fighting down her fear, she said, "I arranged with my classmates to have dinner here first. After dinner, we'll go back to school to revise the thesis."
Michael's cold eyes stared at her unblinkingly.
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