?Chapter 3047:


    Elissa thought about saying no.


    Still, her hesitation cost her the chance. Before she could find the right words, Emma had already dragged her straight toward Ernest.


    “Mr. Flynn!”


    The familiar voice made Ernest lift his head. When his eyes met theirs, his expression stiffened. He rose to his feet. “Miss Carrillo…” Ernest said, his gaze then drifting to Elissa.


    What brought her here?


    He nced around. Savannah was nowhere near.


    Even though tonight’s gathering was meant for the younger crowd, he had been sure Savannah wouldn’t let Elissa show up at all.


    “Elissa, take a seat.” While Ernest was still puzzling over it, Emma had already guided Elissa into a chair.


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    “Mr. Flynn,” Emma asked, tilting her head, “have you wrapped up your work for the day?”


    She asked because that morning, during their tennis match, she had invited him to the evening’s party. Yet Ernest had turned down the offer, saying he already had something else scheduled.


    To her astonishment, he was here—and even earlier than she was.


    “Yes.” Ernest gave a short nod, his tone unreadable.


    Those so-called other ns had, in truth, been about Elissa. But Elissa had turned him away, leaving him adrift and reaching for a ss to dull the unease.


    That was the reason he found himself at this party.


    He hadn’t thought their paths would cross again so soon. Still, one question lingered in his mind. How did she end up arriving with Emma?


    Emma, delighted to see Ernest, made sure Elissa wasn’t left out. She gestured between them with a bright smile. “Mr. Flynn, meet my friend Elissa. Elissa, this is Mr. Flynn.”


    Ernest’s eyes flicked down toward her, patient, expectant.


    Elissa pressed her lips together before whispering, “Hey.”


    Hey?


    Ernest caught the quick drop of her gaze and, for a moment, the helplessness behind his own eyes deepened. So that was her n—to act as if they were strangers. The thought settled over him with a faint sting.


    “Hey.”


    “Elissa, would you like something to drink?” Emma asked with a warm smile. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll grab it for you.”


    Then it struck her—she had promised Savannah to keep an eye on Elissa. Leaving Elissa alone with a man she didn’t know wasn’t an option.


    “Mr. Flynn,” Emma said after a pause, turning toward Ernest, “would you mind getting us a couple of drinks?”


    “Of course,” he replied without hesitation. It was a small task, and for Elissa’s sake, Ernest didn’t mind at all.


    He stood and asked, “What can I get for you?”


    “A Scotch Soda for me,” Emma said, ncing at herpanion. “Elissa?”


    “Rusty Nail.”


    Ernest’s brows pulled together. “That’s quite strong. Would you rather have Rum and Coke—or maybe Bourbon and Coke?”


    Her lips puffed in quiet defiance. The question pressed against Elissa’s patience. Why did he think he could choose for her?


    Weren’t they supposed to be strangers now? After that awkward “hey,” the pretense hung between them like a wall neither dared to cross.


    The silence that followed felt heavy.


    Emma watched with a look of confusion. Her eyes shifted to Ernest. She hadn’t expected him to be the type to fuss over such things.


    Then she remembered Elissa’s fragile condition and decided his concern wasn’t misced.


    “Elissa, maybe you should listen to Mr. Flynn and pick one of the lighter ones?”


    “Okay…”


    Elissa had always been mild in nature. Her illness hadn’t taken that softness away.


    In a quiet, resigned tone, she said, “Bourbon, then.”


    “Sure.” Ernest gave a small nod, a faint smile tugging at his lips. His voice softened. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”


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