Chapter 92 Playing Along
Chapter 92 Playing Along
Logan was left dumbfounded by the slap. “Why’d you hit me? I said I’d take responsibility.”
Vera’s cheeks flushed. “Who wants that? It’s not like we’re living in the Dark Ages. I’ll just call it a one–night stand and move on. Our partnership is over.”
“I told you, I wasn’t involved,” Logan said anxiously. “But for your reputation, I’ll go propose to your family tomorrow.”
After Logan rushed off, Vera grabbed Eleanor’s hand, looking wronged. “My first time, just gone like that. Didn’t even get to enjoy it.”
Eleanor looked a little guilty. “Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Vera said.. “But didn’t the reporters mention the tipster would show up? How come we never saw them?”
Eleanor lowered her eyes and let out a cold laugh. “Who knows?”
Vera felt Tyler’s scrutinizing gaze on her and blurted out, “Mr. Langford, me and Eleanor? We’re real friends. Like, real friends. Don’t look at me like that.”
“Since she’s already set things up this way, we might as well go along with her plan,” Eleanor said. “Vera, here’s what we’re going to do next…”
*****
Eleanor and Tyler got home just before ten that night. They had barely stepped into the house when they heard a flurry of hurried footsteps–Serena came rushing over, looking flustered and anxious.
“Where are you going this late?” Tyler asked, his voice cold and sharp.
Serena honestly had no idea why she’d suddenly gotten so sleepy. She’d woken up to realize she’d missed the time she’d planned for, slipped out without waking Chris, and never expected to run right into Eleanor and Tyler at the door.
“I…” Serena stammered, her face showing her panic. “I just wanted to get some fresh air.”
Eleanor shot her a look. “It’s the middle of the night. Aren’t you worried something might happen? Who goes out for fresh air at this hour, anyway?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Serena said. “I don’t know what’s up with me today, I’ve just been so sleepy. I slept from dusk until now, and my head still feels foggy, so I thought some air might help.”
Successfully unlocked!
“You sure can sleep,” Eleanor said, giving Serenas belly a sideways glance. There was
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a pause. Then she asked, “You’re not pregnant or something, are you?”
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Serena looked startled. “No! What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Good thing you’re not pregnant, or that would be a real headache,” Eleanor said, giving Serena a meaningful look. “You say you’re so sleepy–think about it, did you eat or drink anything unusual? Maybe it’s just a food allergy making you drowsy.”
Serena didn’t want to think about what Eleanor was implying, nor did she know how her own plan was going. All she wanted now was to hurry up and check on things.
“What do you mean by food allergy?” Tyler asked.
“Oh, nothing. Someone probably slipped her something–like a hallucinogen. Not exactly something one wants to say out loud, right?” said Eleanor.
Tyler took Eleanor’s hand and led her away. Their voices weren’t loud, but Serena could still hear every word.
Serena froze mid–step. She thought, ‘What did Eleanor mean by that?‘ Thinking back, she realized she’d started feeling sleepy right after drinking the lemonade Chris gave her.
Serena’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the friend request notification, her face lighting up with surprise and delight–completely missing the cold look Eleanor shot her over her shoulder.
After accepting the request, Serena’s face broke into a happy smile as she hurried back inside.
Right then, Eleanor’s phone buzzed with a message. She glanced down and said, ” Hooked.” A cold smile curled on Eleanor’s lips. If Serena wanted to play games, she’d play along–until the very end.
But there was one thing she still couldn’t help wondering. She asked, “Who drugged her?” Serena only missed everything because she passed out.
“Does it matter who?” Tyler said coolly. He’d actually seen Chris slip some unknown powder into the lemonade earlier.
*****
Serena went back to her room, sent off the so–called evidence, then lay down beside Chris.
“Where did you go?” Chris’s voice broke the silence.
“Nowhere. You’re still up?” Serena replied, feeling a little guilty.
“Serena, we need to talk,” Chris said.
“If this is about Eleanor, then forget it,” Serena muttered under her breath. “If you can’t get over her, why did you even marry me?”
“Don’t do anything reckless. She’s got someone backing her now. I just don’t want you
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Chapter 92 Playing Along
to get hurt.” Chris was still thinking about those messages, debating whether he should ask and clear up any misunderstandings.
“Serena, I looked at your other phone,” Chris said. Serena’s breath hitched for a second
-Chris could feel it.
Serena quickly sat up and snapped, “Chris, what are you trying to say? You think I’m lying? She added me first. All I did was say what I knew–how is that my fault?”
As she spoke, Serena got out of bed and stood barefoot on the floor. “If you’re that mad, then let’s just get divorced.”
Chris felt a headache coming on. For the first time, he actually missed how Eleanor never made a scene. When she was upset, she never nagged him like this.
Chris couldn’t sleep anymore. He sat up, grabbed a cigarette, and lit it–the red tip flaring with every drag.
“Chris.” Serena hugged him from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry. I just care about you too much.”
Chris tried to pry her hands off, but Serena only got bolder, her hands teasing him more and more. In the end, Chris couldn’t hold back. He rolled over and pinned Serena
beneath him.
Serena smiled–she knew Chris always fell for this. Part of the reason she could beat Eleanor was because Eleanor was just too stubborn.
A little sweetness, a few soft words, and any guy’s anger would melt away. But Eleanor? She was so stubborn she’d rather suffer in silence than ever say sorry.
*****
Afterwards, Chris lay there, breathing hard, holding Serena’s hand.
“Chris, are you still mad that I told Tyler about Eleanor’s college days? Honestly, I only told him about her past to warn them,” said Serena.
Serena’s “confession” finally put Chris at ease. He always figured Serena had her reasons for everything she did.
He thought, ‘Makes sense. If Tyler found out on his own, he’d be even more pissed. At least hearing it from Serena first might soften the blow a little–maybe even help him forgive Eleanor.’
If they were going to get divorced, now was as good a time as any. Chris couldn’t help but feel guilty–Serena was trying to help Eleanor, but Eleanor just didn’t appreciate it.
“Chris, you know what? Vera just added me on WhatsApp, asking if something happened to Eleanor before. Eleanor can’t just suffer alone–she has to drag everyone else down with her. She can’t go after me, so she hurts her friend instead.”
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Chapter 92 Playing Along
Chris’s eyes widened. “What did you just say?”
The next morning, Eleanor wandered into the dining room, stifling a yawn. She’d been up late the night before on a video call, hashing out a last–minute overseas order thanks to the time difference. Still half–asleep, she pulled out her chair and sat down.
“Eleanor, you look exhausted,” Martha said, her voice full of concern.
“That’s my fault,” Tyler said as he walked over.to Eleanor’s side. For a moment, the air was thick with a teasing, flirty tension.
