<b>Chapter 182 </b>


    Frank pinched her chin, a faint smile ying on his lips. “Tell me, how should I make your death a little more painful? Maybe I’ll let a few vicious guard dogs keep youpany in the basement.”


    “No! Please-<b>” </b>


    Marcia broke downpletely. “I–I’ve told you everything. Will you let me go now?”


    Frank’s tone softened, almost gentle. “Of course.”


    “Really?”


    “Really.”


    Seeing the sincerity in his expression, Marcia realized she was cornered. Terror made her tremble from head to toe. “The… the people who adopted her back then–they came from Vistapeak City.”


    Frank frowned. “Vistapeak City? Are you sure?”


    “I’m sure!”


    Marcia nodded frantically, desperate for the slightest hope of survival.


    Only now did she understand–what she’d done was no better than bargaining with a wolf.


    No one could imagine how cruel this man could be beneath his elegant surface.


    “I see.”


    Frank responded, then mmed the car’s back door shut. He tapped on the driver’s window. “Tell Bernard to get one of the meanest guard dogs we have. Put it with her.”


    He straightened slowly, the menace around him fading as he buttoned his suit jacket with unhurried grace. Once again, he was the refined, aristocratic Frank.


    He turned and walked up the steps, acting as though he didn’t hear Marcia’s desperate screams echoing from the car behind him.


    Upstairs, the atmosphere was entirely different.


    Frank reached the entryway and heardughter ringing out from the living room.


    He changed his shoes and walked in with a smile. “What’s so funny in here?”


    11:37


    “We were just talking about how little Elissa finally agreed to make up with Rowan,” someone replied.


    Bradley, always quick to speak up for Elissa, didn’t even look up. “So, you sent Marcial away? Honestly, I have no idea why you brought her here in the first ce.”


    Frank gave a softugh. “Just some unusual circumstances–won’t happen again.”


    “Won’t happen again?” Bradley sounded dubious, but when he nced at Elissa, sitting quietly on the sofa, he swallowed the rest of his words.


    Frank noticed too, and with his usual good humor, he added, “From now on, Marcia and I will go our separate ways.”


    Everyone except Rowan was stunned.


    Everyone knew Marcia was his cherished white moon–someone he’d always held close to his heart. He’d just brought her here; why the sudden change of heart? And though Frank was addressing the room, it was clear his words were meant for Elissa.


    Not that Elissa cared.


    She kept her eyes on her juice, sitting motionless, but she could feel a sharp gaze


    fixed on her.


    She didn’t need to look to know–it was Rowan.


    That evening, Rowan had dinner delivered from a private restaurant he’d reserved in


    advance.


    When everyone sat down, they instinctively left the seat next to Frank empty, as if saving it for Elissa.


    Bradley grinned, “Elissa, why don’t you sit here?”


    “Sure,” Elissa replied, and took the seat without hesitation. She’d never thought of divorce as making them enemies; there was no reason not to act naturally.


    She’d barely settled in when someone stomped down on her foot.


    She tried to pull back, but the pressure on her foot only increased. ncing down, she shot a pointed look at the offender.


    Above the table,ughter and conversation continued as usual.


    Below, Rowan’s shoe pressed firmly against her foot, bare skin against


    leather–tant, possessive.


    11:37 M


    It almost felt… illicit, as if they were having an affair right under everyone’s noses.


    Rowan’s expression was cool and unreadable. His gaze swept over her, then flicked to the narrow space between her and Frank.


    He looked perfectly justified,pletely oblivious to how undignified it was to step


    on someone’s foot at dinner.


    But then, Rowan had never been a gentleman.


    It wasn’t just about keeping Frank from touching her–he wouldn’t even allow Frank to sit close.


    Resigned, Elissa inched her chair away, putting enough distance between herself and Frank that another person could have fit between them. Only then did Rowan lift his foot, freeing her.


    How childish.


    Frank had been chatting with Bradley and the others but noticed Elissa edging away. He turned, his voice gentle. “Still upset about the other day?”


    He was referring, of course, to their fake divorce.


    Elissa shook her head, her tone calm and even. “Not anymore.”


    The divorce was done–what was the point of dwelling on his suggestion?


    “Really?”


    Frank poured her a drink and leaned in, lowering his voice. “There’s nothing between me and Marcia anymore. We don’t need to keep up the act.”


    He remembered that Elissa and Rowan now lived practically across the hall from each other. Smiling, he added, “I had no idea your brother moved in right across from you. It works out well–after we help him settle in, I’lle by and help you pack up your things. We’ll go home together.”