Chapter 25
“I certainly won’t miss out on your help, my dear,” Calista joked.
Phoebe smiled, her eyes sparkling. As they approached another red light, she slowed down and shot Calista a mock glare. “You haven’t changed a b. You always know how to sweet–talk.”
The two laughed and chatted about everything under the sun. Before they knew it, they had arrived at their destination.
The driver parked the car right in front of Phoebe’s vacant apartment, conveniently located near Calista’s workplace.
Phoebe had tidied up the place early that morning, knowing Calista was coming back to develop her career.
The driver helped them carry the luggage into the living
“You head back to the office. Phoebe instructed the driver, then turned to Calista. “Take a look around. I’ve stocked up on some things, but if you need anything else, feel free to add it.”
As soon as the door closed, Phoebe sank onto the couch, feeling too lazy to move.
Calista, who had downed eleven “Water Bombs the night before, wasn’t drunk but had a pounding headache. After a long morning of travel, she simply dropped her luggage aside and joined Phoebe on the couch, both of them lounging comfortably.
Calista was tired but not sleepy. Phoebe lifted her eyelids to glance at larr. “I need to bring something up again. From the outside, it might not be clear, but we in the finance world know the circle isn’t that big. You’ll keep running into the same people. Are you really prepared for that”
Calista knew who Phoebe was talking about. “I’ve already seen them. Besides, it’s not like I did anything wrong. I have no reason to hide.” Phoebe studied Calista for a
a moment, then sat up straight, “You.” But her phone rang, interrupting her.
Phoebe’s expression shifted from relaxed to serious as she glanced at the caller ID.
Calista could guess
“Work”
“Probably about the recent talent show negotiations Phoebe replied tersely, already standing up. “I’ve got to run. I’ll call you tonight. We promised to grab a few drinks”
“Im good with that, but I’m worried you won’t have time,” Calista teased.
Phoebe rolled her eyes at the playful jab and turned to answer the call as she walked toward the door.
The front door opened and closed. Calista looked out the window and saw Phoebe get into her Porsche and drive away
Slowly, the smile faded from Calista’s face. Her eyes darkened with a hint of resignation
Phoebe understood her well. She wasn’t just back for the money, getting into the Hawthorne family’s company was her goal. But that was just the first step. The next ones would take time.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to share everything with Phoche; some secrets were just better kept. The more people knew, the more p bring that was all.
pain it could
Lying back on the sofa with her eyes closed, Calista actually dozed off
A sudden ringtone jolted her awake.
“Let’s not meet to
tonight; something came
gcame up at the odice,” Phorbe said, sounding a bit frustrated
on your work. I’m in Stourbridge now, so we can meet anytime. If not, we can drink at
Calista blinked, slowly coming to her senses. “You focus on yo home
“I left a car for you in the garage. If you want to explore a bit, just drive around. The area’s nice added Phoebe.
Calista raised an eyebrow. “Lean’t drive a luxury car, I don’t have that kind of status”
Phoebe chuckled on the other end. “Don’t worry; it’s just a few hundred thousand, not a million–dollar fusury car. You’ll be fine. It’s a low–key rule for a wealthy laily. The keys are on the shelf by the entrance,
Calista had a knack for misking money, especially after her time in th kerp a low profile, I won’t hold back then
the international
I finance scene. She had her own luule
own little stash, but she preferred
Making a fortune in silence was Calista’s motto
Chapte
After chatting a bu more. Phoebe had to go to a meeting, and they ended the call
Calista turned to the floor–to–ceiling window. The bright sun had faded, and the sky was now a dull gray, though it was still quite bright..
Checking her watch, she saw it was almost seven in the evening. It was summer in Stonebridge, and there was still plenty of daylight left. Calota stretched, get up from the sofa, and after napping for a bit, felt much more awake. She started exploring the spacious apartment. The duplex was over
was over 1500 square feet, with four bedrooms, two living rooms, and two bathrooms.
As she walked around, she took notes on her phone, jotting down what she needed.
After finishing her tour, she glanced down at her wrinkled shirt dress and decided to change. She grabbed her suitcase, headed to the master bedroom, changed into something more casual, and took the car keys from the entrance.
Stepping outside, she found that the apartment complex wasn’t far from Stonebridge’s bustling commercial area.
Nut Top
community, she spotted a nice spicy food restaurant. Parking her car, she walked through the door.
