Chapter 72 Have you done something bad?

To cover up one lie, you had to spin a web of a million more. And if you started piling 'em on too thick, it all just fell apart.
George was stuck, man. He had no clue how to spin this one, especially with Ellie staring him down...
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Ellie was starting to freak out.
Thinking back on the past few years at home, sure, they weren't rolling in dough, but the cash flow seemed pretty steady. Still, there was always this weird vibe she couldn't shake.
Now, it all clicked. Everything seemed fine, but they never really wanted for anything. That was kinda creepy!
George was just a regular man at the Cultural Relics Bureau, but somehow, they had a house, a car, the whole shebang, all courtesy of the job.
She never grilled him about his paycheck, but he always had cash to burn. Anytime something came up at home, he had it covered in no time...
Like when her folks were scrounging up money for a new place. They wanted a ground-floor unit 'cause, you know, old age and all. But those units? Pricey as hell.
Mr. and Mrs. Baker were on the fence, and Ellie was gearing up to chat with George about it that night.
He barely touched his salary and had a nice stash saved up, so why not help out her folks? They weren't exactly hurting for cash anyway.
But before she could even bring it up, George told her the organization had hooked them up with a housing fund and covered the mortgage.
Every month, the payment just got auto-deducted. No biggie.
So, they bought the house, and then he got a raise. He chalked it up to luck, and she didn't really get it, but she was cool with it, thinking he was just that good and the organization was super generous to her parents.
But now... she wasn't buying it anymore. Each thing on its own seemed alright, but put together, it was a whole different story.
Nothing in this world is that perfect.
Especially since he was just a survey recorder, yet somehow he was on a criminal gang's radar...
The more Ellie thought about it, the more freaked out she got. After grilling him for so long and still getting nothing, tears started welling up in her eyes...
"You, you gotta be straight with me. Have you done something illegal?"
George, still racking his brain on how to explain, looked up with confusion all over his face, "What? How could I do anything illegal... Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? Are you about to cry?!"

Shocked, George immediately put down his chopsticks and handed her a tissue, "What's wrong? Don't scare me."

"You scared me! Tell me, did you take bribes, or use your position to steal artifacts and sell them?"

??? He took bribes? Used his job to steal and sell artifacts?!!

"Sob... Are you being found out now and planning to take our entire family on the run..."

At this point, George finally understood, closed his eyes, and slapped his forehead hard.

Oh my goodness! Was this the consequence of telling too many lies?!

Seeing his reaction, Ellie thought she had hit the mark, pursed her lips, and burst into tears.

Startled, George quickly put down his hand and embraced her shoulder, "What are you thinking? Where would I get a bribe, and what could I possibly sell?"

He was the one who specialized in catching those who sold artifacts, for goodness' sake!

"Then why... sob... why are you suddenly transferring, and... sob... what villa, what unit... sob... You think I'm stupid... sob..."

With one arm around her, George grabbed a tissue with the other to wipe her tears, "Didn't I tell you? It's a special arrangement."

"Why... why are you being specially treated... you, you..."

"Calm down and catch your breath first."

Ellie pushed away his hand helping her wipe her tears, leaned over to grab a tissue herself, and felt a wave of sadness wash over her as she looked at the delicious dishes on the table, feeling like it was a last supper.

Her nose tingled, and she quickly covered it with a tissue, sobbing.

George sighed in frustration, "Have you ever seen anyone like me, who's always on the go, barely spending any time at home in a year?"

Ellie's chest tightened briefly, but she quickly retorted through her sobs, "Exactly, barely spending any time at home in a year. Who's like you? What are you even doing?"