Frank shot an exasperated nce toward the garden, his mustache bristling as he barked, “You and your little girlfriend need to get out of here–now! And take all your stuff with you!”


    “Don’t think you can buy me off with these petty favors!”


    Once a teacher, always a father. Elissa, that girl, was as good as a daughter to him.


    If he lost his mind and actually agreed to their proposal, it wouldn’t just be Elissa–Jacqueline would be the first toe after him.


    “Mr. ine, whatever you want, just name your terms,” Frank offered.


    Marcia stepped in just as he finished, gliding to Frank’s side, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice was gentle. “Frank, what do you think?”


    Aaron stayed silent, already considering what herbs he’d need to wash his eyes out after they finally left.


    Frank turned to him. “Mr. ine, Marcia’s right. We’re here today with genuine respect and sincerity.”


    Their attitudes were polite enough, but Aaron only felt anger simmering in


    his chest.


    He pitied Elissa. What a farce.


    “Any terms at all, <i>you </i>say?” Aaron’s voice was icy.


    “Of course.” Marcia cut in quickly, confident that the Atwater family’s wealth and Frank’s generosity would be more than enough to satisfy this old man.


    Aaron stood, straightening his jacket. “Then go apologize to Elissa. Get down on your knees. If she forgives you,e back and talk to me.”


    Marcia’s face flushed hot with anger and shock. “What did you say?”


    <i>12 </i>


    12 13


    She thought back to what Elissa had said at the door earlier, and


    suddenly everything clicked. She red at Aaron, teeth clenched. “Did Elissa tell you something about me? You can’t believe a word she says-” “That’s enough, Marcia,” Frank interrupted, his tone calm but firm. He turned to Aaron, not the least bit upset. “Mr. ine, thank you for your time today. We’ll take our leave.”


    Marcia followed him out, sulking, but once they were in the car, she couldn’t hold back. “Frank, this is all Elissa’s doing. She’s always had it out for me. Why else would she have just left Mr. ine’s house right before we arrived?”


    “Is it that she has it out for you, or is it the other way around?” Frank’s gaze hardened as he looked at her, his voice colder than usual. “I’ve told you before–she’s not as scheming as you think.”


    Marcia’s hands clutched the hem of her coat, her eyes brimming with tears. “Why do you always trust her, no matter what?”


    “Marcia,” Frank sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “even the police need evidence to make an usation. You say she said something—can you prove it?”


    “Do I really need proof?” Marcia sniffed stubbornly. “She’s never liked me, she just happened to visit Mr. ine right before we got there, and she’s


    his student…”


    Frank shook his head. “If every cop thought like you, we’d have a lot of innocent people behind bars.”


    Marcia opened her mouth to argue, but Frank’s patience was running thin. “Maybe you should forget about studying traditional medicine and be a screenwriter instead.”


    As he spoke, an image of Elissa shed in his mind–always busy with her patients <i>or </i>tinkering with her hobbies at home, never one to waste time on pointless scheming. The girl was as straightforward as they


    came.


    ???


    り


    Lost in thought, Frank nced out the window. “Ridge, pull over.”


    He stepped out and ducked into a nearby bakery, returning with a slice of strawberry cake.


    Marcia watched him, her anger ebbing a little at the sight. She reached out, trying to take the cake. “Alright, for the sake of the cake, I’ll forgive what you just said…”


    “That’s for Elissa.” Frank handed the box to the driver.