Chapter 167

Elodie smiled and tucked her phone away. Satisfied that her adversaries posed little genuine danger, she sauntered nonchalantly back to her table and slipped into her seat beside Ari, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. Ari leaned in. ‘Everything alright? You were gone for quite a while.’ Elodie smiled, her voice light and airy. ‘Oh, just a little ladies’ room drama, nothing to worry about,’ she lied, her gaze flickering involuntarily towards the empty doorway. Ari frowned. ‘Are you sure? You look a little pale.’ Elodie brushed his concern aside with a dismissive wave of her hand. ‘It’s nothing, really. Just a touch of... indigestion, perhaps.’ *** Three days later, the phone vibrated on Elodie’s desk, interrupting her thoughts on the latest marketing campaign. She glanced at the screen. Unknown number. She pressed the answer button, her voice clipped and professional. ‘Hello.’ On the other end, a voice rasped like sandpaper. ‘Elodie, it’s Sebastian.’ Elodie froze. ‘Sebastian?’ Her