Eryx shoved the stack of docunts aside with a tired sigh, the papers sliding across his desk in a ssy heap. Pressing the intercom button, he pinched his nose bridge, "dina, get Callum on the line. Tell him to see the mont he steps into the office." Without waiting for a response, he ended the conversation.
Leaning back in his chair, another sigh slipped from his lips. No matter how much work piled up, his mind kept drifting back to the woman he'd t at the hotel three days ago. "Who the hell was she?"
A knock on the door finally pulled him back to the present. "Co in," he called.
Callum walked in with a folder in hand, his expression serious. "Sir..." He stopped just in front of the desk. "I still couldn't track down the woman from that night. It's like she vanished with no records, no sightings. It's as if she never existed."
Eryx's frown deepened. "And the old man?"
Callum shook his head. "He doesn't seem to be behind this. In fact, he's still trying to find her through her father. The deal between her father and Old Man Vaughn is still ongoing."
Eryx gazed down, his fingers tapping restlessly against the desk. "Have you contacted her father?"
"Yes, sir." Callum nodded. "I've arranged for him to et you in your office at two."
"Good." Eryx gave a slight nod, glancing at his watch. "In one hour, have all the information and the money ready."
"Understood, sir." Callum took a step back. "If there's nothing more, I'll take my leave to settle the preparations."
"Wait..." Eryx's voice stopped him. "What about the girl?"
"Girl?" Callum's brow furrowed. "Which girl, sir?"
"My..." Eryx's lips pressed into a thin line. "Wife."
"Oh!" Callum straightened imdiately. "That's the thing, sir. I was inford that the morning after the fire destroyed the flower shop, she stopped by and pretty shaken up, from what they said. After that, she disappeared. Even the police couldn't reach her."
"Everyone seems to be vanishing these days..." Eryx's eyes sharpened on Callum, his voice laced with sarcasm.
A chill ran down Callum's spine at his boss's tone. "I-I'll do my best to find her and report back to you as soon as possible, sir," he said quickly.
"Then..." Eryx leaned back in his chair, his eyes still fixed on Callum. "I expect to hear from you soon. Dismissed."
Callum closed the door slowly behind him and sighed as he approached dina's desk. "He's in a mood today. Hope you survive."
dina chuckled, spinning her pen between her fingers. "I've been avoiding him since morning, haven't knocked once without an ergency."
He nodded in agreent and turned back to his work, but his eyes widened in surprise when the man scheduled to et his boss at two in the afternoon stepped out of the elevator, grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm sorry, you must be Mr. Callum, right?" Gideon quickened his pace, approaching him. "I know my appointnt is at two, but sothing urgent ca up later, and I was hoping to et Mr. Grantham early. Could you check with him about this?"
Callum's expression tightened, his eyes narrowing. In his mind, he was already cursing the man standing in front of him. "You can't just barge in like this. Mr. Grantham is a busy man, and just because sothing ca up for you doesn't an he has to rearrange his schedule."
"Ah, I understand." Gideon's eyes flickered with sothing sly, as if he were already scheming. "In that case, let's just cancel the eting for this evening."
Callum's eyes narrowed sharply. "It sounds like you're trying to threaten ."
Gideon quickly raised his hands in denial, his smile never quite slipping. "Threaten you? Of course not, Mr. Callum. It's just... I happened to learn that Mr. Grantham's interest in eting has sothing to do with my daughter. So I'm sure you can understand my position here..."
Callum snickered. After digging into Gideon's background, he'd uncovered more than enough dirt — and just standing here, looking at the man's smug face, made his stomach turn. "Wait here," he said curtly, turning away.
But the mont his eyes landed on Eryx's office door, his breath hitched. His boss was already there, standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression.
"Let him in," Eryx ordered coolly before disappearing back into his office.
Gideon froze, his eyes widening in shock. The man who had just given the order — that was the sa man he'd t at the hospital the other day. 'So... he's Mr. Grantham?' The realization hit him hard, and for the first ti, a flicker of panic stirred in his chest.
"Follow ," Callum said, his tone sharp and all business. He led Gideon toward the office and gestured to the chair in front of the desk. "Have a seat."
Eryx walked over, settling into the chair opposite Gideon with a calm, asured ease. Crossing one leg over the other, he got straight to the point. "I'll make this simple," he said, his eyes locked onto Gideon's. "I'll settle your debt with Old Man Vaugh. In return, you stop using your daughter for your own gain."
"Why?"
Eryx's brow lifted in surprise. He hadn't expected that response. "You're asking why?" His voice cooled. "Do you feel no guilt for selling off your own daughter?"
Gideon didn't flinch. "So you called here to settle my debt with Old Man Vaugh... not because you're interested in my daughter, Eloise?"
Eryx's eyes darkened. "If I were interested in your daughter... would you sell her to then?" His voice was low, dangerous.
Gideon swallowed hard, clearly struggling to maintain his composure. "That's a harsh accusation, Mr. Grantham," he said, his tone carefully controlled. "My daughter ntioned that you've shown interest in her. Our family only wants the best for Eloise — the best man in the world. But I didn't expect that man to be so... rude."
The words made Eryx's frown deepen, "I am interested in your daughter? She said so? What else did she tell you?"
Gideon suddenly stood up, attempting to assert control. "Never mind, Mr. Grantham. I didn't expect this eting to go this way. Thank you for your ti — I'll take my leave."
Eryx didn't move, his arms crossing casually as he leaned back in his chair. "It seems Mr. Winfield loves his daughter very much," he said, his voice cool and pointed. "So tell ... where are you hiding her?"
"Hiding her?" Gideon scoffed, though there was a flicker of unease in his eyes. "She's with right now... waiting in the car." The words slipped out too easily, his attempt at nonchalance falling flat.
Eryx's eyes sharpened, and for the first ti, he leaned forward. "Is that so?" His voice dropped, steady and dangerous. "Then... ask her to co up."
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