Hanson''s smile froze, a flicker of irritation passing through his eyes.


    He turned to Effie, struggling to keep the genial expression on his face.


    "Miss Bagnold, any other questions?" he asked, his tone stiff.


    Under his breath, barely louder than a whisper, he muttered, "Women always make thingsplicated. If it were a man, this would''ve been signed already..."


    Effie ignored him. "Where''s Lenora? Where did she go?"


    Hanson gave a silent huff, then replied, “I''m sorry, Lenora had something urgent to take care of. She asked me to handle the paperwork for her.”


    Effie nodded curtly. "Alright. If Lenora isn''t here, I''ll just wait until she''s avable."


    A shadow crossed Hanson''s face. He didn''t believe Effie had all day to spare- she''d cave soon enough.


    He pressed, “Lenora''s busy, and she might not be back until this afternoon. Maybe not even until tomorrow."


    "That''s fine," Effie replied, her voice calm. "I''lle back tomorrow to sign and pay."


    Hanson clenched his jaw. "Do you really insist on having Lenora handle the contract?"


    Effie looked him straight in the eye. "That''s right. If it''s not Lenora, I''m not signing." "Fine. Just wait." Hanson bit out each word through gritted teeth.


    He spun on his heel and stormed off, leaving in a flurry of irritation much like the way he''d arrived.


    Effie''s grandmother watched him go, worry creasing her brow. She turned to Effie and asked, “Effie, do you think something''s wrong? What if Lenora''s in trouble?"


    "She''ll be okay," Effie said, pulling out her phone. "Let me make a call."


    Effie had barely ended her call when Hanson reappeared, dragging Lenora along behind him, with another man trailing after them.


    Lenora looked stiff and uneasy, her steps reluctant, as if she''d been forced toe.


    Effie caught her eye and called out, "Lenora! Didn''t you have something urgent to take care of?"


    Lenora thought to herself, If I hadn''t said that, how could Hanson have


    Proped in to take my client? They


    probably never expected Effie to insist on seeing me before signing.


    Forcing an awkward smile, Lenora said, "Sorry, I had to step out for a bit. I''m back


    now I''ll finish helping you."


    Effie leaned in, her voice low. "Are you alright? Did they threaten you?"


    Lenora hesitated, unsure what to say. Before she could answer, Hanson cleared his throat sharply. "Lenora, let''s pick up the pace. The customer''s waiting."


    Lenora gave a small nod and started gathering the documents.


    "Miss Bagnold, you can sign the contract now," she said, sliding the papers across the desk.


    Effie took the contract, scanning it carefully. "I just want to be clear-if I sign, does themission go to you?"


    Lenora met Effie''s gaze, saying nothing, but her expression spoke volumes.


    Effie closed the folder and shook her head. "No deal. I''m not signing this contract."


    Hanson''s demeanor shifted instantly, his voice turning icy. "What''s that supposed to mean? You here to make trouble because you can''t afford it?"


    He looked like he was ready to blow up at any second.


    Effie stood her ground. "What is this, some kind of scam? Are you going to force me to buy something now?"


    She nced toward the entrance, hoping the person she''d called would arrive soon.


    "You''re just a broke pretender, aren''t you? If you can''t afford it, get out!" Hanson spat.


    Effie''s voice was steely. "Is this how you treat your customers?"


    Her grandmother tugged gently at Effie''s hand, worry etched on every line of her face. "Effie, let''s just go. There''s no point arguing with people like this-we can buy somewhere else."


    Effie knew she was right; there was no reasoning with someone so unreasonable.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!