“Yeah.”


    Elissa didn’t bother to hide anything. Her expression was calm, almost indifferent. “But you don’t need to go against your family over this.”


    Cliff’s first business venture had been bankrolled by the Riley family.


    Most of the time, the Rileys didn’t interfere with the clinic’s affairs. Every so often, they’d send someone over–it was nothing unusual.


    “I could talk to them-”


    “Cliff,”


    Elissa gave a slight, knowing smile. “From what I know about Frank, he isn’t the type who likes to owe people favors. I’d guess he’s already worked out some kind of business deal with your family.”


    Cliff’s expression darkened. “I’m sorry. They mentioned something to me before, but I didn’t put two and two together.”


    “It’s not your fault.”


    Elissa understood. “Frank’s the kind of person who, if you turn him down, will just find another way.”


    Frank and Rowan, when it came right down to it, were cut from the same


    cloth.


    Neither would give up until they got what they wanted.


    The only difference was, Frank worked with subtlety and charm, while Rowan went straight for the jugr.


    When Elissa opened the door again, Marcia was waiting just outside, calm andposed.


    Just as Elissa had said.


    Frank had already made sure every detail was taken care of for her, so Marcia hadn’t a thing to worry about,


    12 17


    She extended her hand to Elissa, a smug smile on her lips. “So, is it safe to say you’ll be looking out for me now?”


    “Of course.”


    Elissa’s expression didn’t change. “Here at the clinic, I’m your senior. At home, I’m the woman of the house. Whether it’s business or personal, looking out for you is simply my responsibility. No need for thanks.”


    With that, she ignored the way Marcia’s face flushed a furious shade of crimson and walked away, unbothered.


    Just after stepping out of the clinic, while waiting for her ride, a thought crossed her mind.


    -She should buy a car.


    After divorcing Frank, she’d taken two houses, but not a single car.


    Relying on rideshares all the time wasn’t a real solution.


    That evening, when she got home, Tanya Foster listened to her idea and immediately agreed. “Absolutely. When do you want to go?”


    “Tomorrow.”


    Elissa had always been this way


    Once she’d made up her mind, she saw no reason to put things off.


    The divorce had been the same.


    The next morning, Elissa handled her appointments at the clinic, then headed alone to the dealership in the afternoon.


    She spotted it almost instantly–a fire–red, limited edition 911 parked in the showroom, its lines/sleek and stunning.


    The passenger door stood open, and an extravagant cascade of pale pink roses spilled gracefully onto the floor, each bloom delicate and fresh.


    “We only got one of these in all of Vistapeak City this half year,” the sales associate exined, noticing her interest. “Before it even arrived, a


    12.171


    Chapter


    generous client paid extra to reserve it for his wife. He should being by to pick it upter.”


    “Very romantic,” Elissa said.


    The truth was, she was just looking. That car was far beyond her budget.


    Sure, the two houses she’d gotten in the divorce were worth plenty, but cash on hand was another story.


    She’d always preferred the security of a solid bank bnce.


    After wandering the showroom for a while, she settled on a Panamera that was avable for immediate delivery.


    “Great choice!”


    The sales associate rarely saw clients so decisive, but for wealthy folks, this was just how things went.


    He did his best to keep a straight face, suppressing his grin, as he led Elissa to make the payment and pick up the car.


    He even offered to arrange a “new car ceremony,” but Elissa waved him off. “No need. I can drive it away now, right?”


    “Of course! My colleague already brought it around to the front for you. Let me take you there.”


    His enthusiasm was boundless.


    Clients like this–generous, decisive, and undemanding–were a dream


    Elissa took the keys, a small, involuntary smile curving her lips. “Thank


    you,”


    It was the first major purchase she’d made since the divorce.


    It felt significant in a way she couldn’t quite put into words.


    As if she was rewarding herself for having the courage to start over.


    She was grateful she hadn’t dragged things out, grateful she hadn’t let


    214


    herself get trapped in a miserable marriage.