Chapter 148
At first, she’d assumed they were just an ordinary married couple.
Now, look how things had turned out–she was married, but having an affair with the guy next door.
Everything went fuzzy for a moment–she couldn’t tell whether Rowan was teasing her on purpose or just being careless, but she scowled at him anyway. “Want to go to the wholesale market and get you a hundred suits? Would that be enough p>
That’s what she said, but the truth was, Elissa knew better than anyone how particular he was. So instead, she drove them straight to an
exclusive, members–only designer boutique.
They stopped at the entrance to the men’s section. A familiar sales associate spotted them, and after a quick glance in Elissa’s direction, she nervously looked away and stammered, “Mrs. Atwater p>
Elissa frowned. “ Is something wrong p>
“N–no, nothing at all p>
The associate shook her head, but couldn’t help herself; she lowered her voice and offered a quiet warning: “Mr. Atwater was just here… with someone else p>
She didn’t spell it out, but Elissa understood immediately.
Frank had just been here–with another woman.
Elissa only smiled, as if it didn’t matter, and glanced at the man by her side. “Well, I’m here with someone else, too p>
The associate was momentarily speechless. Working for a top luxury brand, she was no stranger to the scandals of the upper crust, but these two never failed to surprise her. She composed herself as best she could and said, “I thought you were here to shop for Mr. Atwater again p>
As soon as she spoke, she could feel the atmosphere shift–there was a
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sudden edge to the handsome man standing beside Elissa, as if he didn’t appreciate the implication.
She was sure he’d never been here before. A man with looks and presence like his–she’d have remembered.
“No, today I’m shopping for my brother…” Elissa started to explain instinctively, then hesitated. She wasn’t even sure what her relationship with Rowan was supposed to be now–business partner? Neighbor?
She decided to skip the explanation altogether. “Where are the new arrivals p>
“Right over here. Let me show you p>
Elissa followed the associate and started picking out suits for Rowan.
After all, she was the one making it up to him; she owed him at least a little sincerity, or he’d accuse her of being stingy again.
She picked out a dark pinstripe suit and brought it over. “Want to try this one? I have a feeling it’ll look great on you p>
The associate was certain it wasn’t just her imagination–when Mrs. Atwater asked that question, the man’s intimidating presence softened, and even a hint of interest flickered in his eyes.
The two of them looked every bit the newlyweds from a business family, still getting used to their marriage.
But Mr. Atwater… Well, Mr. Atwater was hardly a saint himself. Mrs. Atwater was probably heartbroken, and who could blame her for finding comfort in a man this stunning?
Rowan didn’t refuse. “Sure, I’ll try it on p>
With his broad shoulders and narrow waist, Rowan was the very definition of an athletic build. Add to that his height and striking features, and the suit looked even better on him than on the model in the photos.
Suddenly, Elissa understood why those wealthy women were always so eager to spoil their pretty boys.
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When it was time to pay, Elissa’s heart ached at the price, and Rowan casually added a leather belt to the pile. “Add this in. She’s paying p>
Elissa shot him a look. “I only agreed to buy you a suit p>
Rowan tilted his chin and asked the associate, “Doesn’t the belt count as part of the suit p>
His good looks didn’t soften the force of his presence one bit. Technically, he wasn’t wrong, so the associate nodded. “Yes, it does p>
Resigned, Elissa let him get away with it.
After they finished shopping, the two of them headed upstairs for dinner. As they ate, Elissa noticed more than a few women sneaking glances
their way.
Eight out of ten were clearly checking out Rowan.
That’s when she realized–he’d dressed so casually today, and sitting here with the relaxed confidence of a college heartthrob, he looked nothing like the cold, distant man she was used to. The contrast was startling.
A group of girls even seemed to be working up the courage to come over and ask for his WhatsApp.
But someone beat them to it.
“Elissa p>
It was Cliff.
Elissa smiled and set down her fork. “Cliff, you’re here for dinner too p>
“I was just passing by, saw you two, and thought I’d say hi.” Cliff grinned.
He didn’t seem at all surprised to see her with Rowan. Whatever disagreements they’d had over the years, they were siblings, after all. Sharing a meal wasn’t exactly out of the ordinary.
“Want to join us p>
“Sure p>
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Cliff took a seat, and Elissa visibly relaxed in his presence. After all, he’d helped raise her–no matter how grown–up she was now, she still felt at ease with him.
Rowan’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then said in his usual calm voice, “I’ll step out and take this p>
“Okay.” Elissa nodded quickly, then waved down a server to order more food.
Cliff smiled, seizing the chance to bring up work. “What did you think of the idea I sent you this afternoon p>
Elissa had barely skimmed his message earlier–Rowan had woken her up and she hadn’t had time to think it over. She nodded, considering it. “I did, but I think we could adjust the dosage and see how it goes p>
“Elissa? Dr. Riley? It really is you p>
Marcia and Frank appeared, arm in arm. Marcia shot Frank a look and said meaningfully, “See, I told you Elissa and Dr. Riley are close. You never believe me p>
Frank clearly hadn’t expected to catch Elissa and Cliff out together.
His expression didn’t change. “Elissa, come with me for a moment p>
Not wanting to make things awkward for Cliff, Elissa stood and followed him out of the restaurant.
The moment they were outside, Frank’s eyes turned cold. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the elevator. “Come home with me–now p>
AIA