More Than A Favor (Elaine and Logan)

Jeremy tossed my question back at me. "What do you think?"

I smiled faintly, trying to maintain my composure. "Then I'll take my leave," I said, handing the bouquet

back to him.

Jeremy raised his hand, but instead of accepting the flowers, he plucked a petal from the bouquet and brought it to his nose, inhaling its fragrance. "So, what exactly do you need to see my dad for?"

His question made me pause. For a moment, I wondered if he was reconsidering letting me meet Alfred.

When I had first brought up wanting to see his father, it seemed like Jeremy assumed it was about some kind of treasure. But now, his tone suggested he knew there was more to it than that.

There was no point in hiding the truth any longer. I took a deep breath and recounted everything-the contract, my suspicions, and my need for answers.

Jeremy listened quietly. His usual playful demeanor faded, replaced by a seriousness I hadn't seen

before.

When I finished, he sighed and said, "In that case, you should leave."

His abrupt response startled me. "Why?"noveldrama

"If you're here to see my dad about this matter, it will be pointless. You won't get any answers from him. He won't tell you anything," Jeremy said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

His words only deepened my suspicion. If Alfred had nothing to hide, there wouldn't be a reason for him to refuse to talk. But his outright refusal suggested that there was indeed something being

concealed.

"What if I insist?" I asked, my determination growing. "Maybe Mr. Alfred has nothing to hide, and you're just overthinking."

Jeremy shook his head slightly, his expression a mix of exasperation and

helplessness. "You're really stubborn. Alright. I'll call my dad. If he agrees to meet you, I'll take you in."

With that, Jeremy pulled out his phone and dialed a number, putting it on speakerphone.

"What's up?" Alfred's gruff voice answered after a few rings.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to bring someone-a woman-to see you," Jeremy said, carefully avoiding mentioning my identity.

"Don't bring any random women to upset me," Alfred replied sharply, his tone irritated.

Jeremy glanced at me with a smirk and said into the phone, "I wouldn't bring anyone who would offend you. She's a very good girl."

There was a long pause, the silence stretching between us. My breath caught in my throat as I waited for Alfred's response.

Just as I began to hope he might agree, Alfred broke the silence. "Let's do it another day. I have important guests today."

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Jeremy pressed further. "Then we'll go in and wait for you. We can see you once you're done."

I was surprised by Jeremy's persistence. Despite his usual playful demeanor, he was genuinely trying

to help me.

But Alfred's response was cold and final. "Do you not understand what I'm saying?" he snapped before abruptly ending the call.

Jeremy shrugged and gave me a look that seemed to say, Don't blame me.

I turned my gaze to the gated entrance of the sanatorium. The railing stood

between me and the answers I was seeking. My mind raced with questions. Who could these "important guests" be? And why were they so significant that Alfred wouldn't even see his own son?

As I stood there, lost in thought, Jeremy waved a hand in front of my face, snapping me out of my daze.

"Are you planning to climb over the fence or something?" he teased, his usual smirk returning.

I pursed my lips, ignoring his joke. "Do you know who Mr. Alfred is meeting today?"

They were father and son, the closest relationship in the world-or at least they should have been. From the way Jeremy spoke about Alfred, it was clear he knew more than he let on.

Jeremy chuckled lightly. "I don't know about that. My dad's life revolves around money and friends."

His humblebrag grated on my nerves, but I could tell he wasn't going to share anything more.

Just then, Jeremy's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and looked at me with raised eyebrows. "Caleb knows you're here to see me?"

I froze slightly, unsure of how to respond. Jeremy hadn't answered the call, yet he already assumed it

was about me.

I forced a smile, trying to play it off, but Jeremy's expression darkened. Without another word, he hung up on the call.

My heart skipped a beat.

His action would definitely make Caleb think something was wrong-and prompt him to call me.

Sure enough, as the thought crossed my mind, my phone rang. It was Caleb.

The timing couldn't have been worse. The awkwardness of the situation hung in the air like a heavy

cloud.

Jeremy smirked and said, "Looks like you don't trust me. If that's the case, why even bother with me?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out.

Jeremy took a step back, his smile fading. "Just consider us strangers from now

on," he said flatly before turning on his heel and heading to his car.

I stood there, stunned, as he got into his Range Rover and drove off without another word.

The wind tugged at my clothes and messed up my hair. Jeremy's sudden shift in attitude left me speechless.

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Ten minutes ago, he had been confessing his feelings and insisting on pursuing me. Now, after a single phone call, he was dismissing me entirely.

But on the bright side, I didn't have to worry about him bothering me anymore.

As Jeremy's car disappeared from view, I turned my gaze back to the closed gate

of the sanatorium. My thoughts drifted to Alfred's "important guests." Could it be Ethan?

The possibility gnawed at me.

I hesitated for a moment before pulling out my phone and dialing Tessa's number. “Elaine, I was just about to call you," Tessa's voice came through immediately, cheerful and lively. She didn't even give me a chance to speak first.

I sighed and asked, "Tessa, did you need something from me?”

"I'm inviting you to lunch," Tessa said briskly. "It's at the same restaurant we used

to frequent-Elegant Restaurant. Be there by 11:00 a.m."

She didn't give me a chance to refuse, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

I hesitated, then asked, "Will Mr. Mercer be joining us?"

"No, he's out for the day. He'll probably be back in the afternoon," Tessa replied casually, completely unguarded.

Her words piqued my curiosity. "He's out for the whole day?"

Ever since Ethan handed the Mercer Corporation over to Logan, he hadn't been one for socializing.

"Not far. He's just visiting an old friend. Every time they meet, they have coffee and play chess," Tessa continued, her tone light.

My grip on the phone tightened.

It seemed my suspicion was correct. Ethan was likely the "important guest" Alfred

had mentioned.

Their relationship was clearly closer than I had realized.

I didn't want to overthink things, but the contract left by my father made it

impossible not to.

Had my parents' deaths been connected to Ethan? And if so, what role did Alfred

play in all of this?

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