ou’re too busy, I can return it myself.”


    At the top floor of Murphy Group’s headquarters, Rowan rolled the so–called “Peace Charm” between his fingers, his sharp, chiseled face


    clouded with irritation.


    Peace Charm, my ass.


    This was from Mercy Chapel, and everyone knew those were always Love


    Charms.


    “I’ll return it,” Rowan said tly.


    “Alright,” Bradley breathed a sigh of relief.


    ? ? ?????? ?? ?


    care.


    Wait, what? Wasn’t he supposed to return it to Miss Elissa?


    Beforen could voice his shock, Evan knocked and entered, holding up another nearly identical Love Charm.


    “Sir, your grandmother just had this delivered. She went to the chapel yesterday morning and swears it works wonders. She insists you keep it on you at all times.”


    Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Did she say anything else?”


    Right then, his phone rang.


    Janice’s cheerful voice rang out, “You got the Love Charm, right? I’m telling you, no wonder everyone wants one–these things really work! I’d barely left the chapel when I heard that doctor girl is getting divorced.”


    “She’s single now! Don’t you dare judge her just because she’s divorced-<b>” </b>“Grandma.” Rowan cut her off without a second thought, his tone cool and


    <b>1/3 </b>


    12:17


    final, “That’s not the issue.”


    “I’m just not interested in divorced women.”


    –


    Elissa didn’t realize the charm Mrs. Garrett had given her was missing


    until the next day.


    She even made a special trip to the clinic, hoping she’d left it in her office. Cliff happened to be passing by and nced inside, surprised <i>to </i><i>see </i>her rummaging under her desk. “Elissa? Aren’t you off today?”


    Elissa straightened up, brushing dust from her hands. “Yeah, I lost something, just wanted to check if it was here.”


    Cliff chuckled at the sight. “Any luck?”


    “Nope.” She sighed, standing up. “Guess I must’ve dropped it somewhere else.”


    Maybe she’d absentmindedly tossed it in her bag yesterday and lost it while grabbing something outside.


    “What was it? Anything important?”


    “Not really.” Elissa smiled, looking up at him. “Weren’t you supposed to give a lecture at Vistapeak University today? Why are you back so soon?” “A new hire just started. Dad wanted me to handle the onboarding myself.”


    She nodded–she wasn’t surprised.


    “Well, I won’t keep you, then,” she said.


    Cliff hesitated. “Are you busy? Want toe meet the new girl? I figure you’ll get along better than I would.”


    “Sure,” Elissa agreed. After all, they’d be colleagues soon. No harm in getting acquainted.


    <b>213 </b>


    12:17 <b>1 </b>


    They headed downstairs together, but Elissa’s friendly expression faded as soon as she saw who the neer was.


    Marcia didn’t seem surprised in the slightest, greeting her with a bright smile. “Elissa! What a coincidence.”


    “You two know each other?” Cliff asked, ncing between them.


    Elissa nodded. “We do.” She forced a thin smile. “Frank really went to great lengths for you.”


    When things didn’t work out with her old mentor, he’d turned to the Rileys for help.


    “Tell me about it,” Marcia said, eager to regain some dignity after


    yesterday’s fiasco. “Elissa, looks like we’ll be working together–hope we get along.”


    Elissa’s eyes were cold. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Nothing’s official yet.”


    Sensing the tension, Cliff quickly pulled Elissa aside into a nearby office and closed the door behind them.


    “Are you and Frank getting divorced because of her?“.