Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 157: Chapter 157

Cecilia said, "So, this guy called me. He said he was a policeman. He claimed someone was copying the murder methods from my novels to commit real crimes, and that I was going to be arrested.
"Then he sent me a link, told me to fill out my info online, and even asked for my phone number. I gave him a verification code, and just like that, all the money in my account vanished."
As she kept talking, Cecilia got even more worked up. "Seriously, they actually managed to scam me, of all people.
"Good thing my dad had someone track down that scam company right away, or all my money would've been gone for nothing."
Elara couldn't help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh. It was just hilarious, especially coming from someone in her forties talking like that.
Adrian shot her a look, silently telling her to be serious. Elara quickly straightened her face, trying hard to keep her laughter in check.
Cecilia looked a bit desperate. "But they transferred the money overseas. It's going to be really hard to get it back."
For Adrian, this wasn't a big deal. The law firm had handled plenty of cases like this over the years, where funds were transferred overseas, and they'd always managed to get the money back.
"Adrian, did you pick up on any new leads from what I said?" Cecilia asked.
Adrian replied calmly, "Just leave it to Eric, the guy who handles the criminal cases. He's even better at this stuff than I am."
Cecilia looked a bit unsure. "Is he discreet? Can he keep his mouth shut?"
'Just don't go tell everyone about this. I've got my pride, after all,' Cecilia reminded herself.
"Of course. We'll sign a confidentiality agreement," Adrian assured her.
Cecilia pouted. "Adrian, are you really not going to represent me?"
Adrian smiled. "This is Eric's specialty, Mrs. Thorne. It's best to let the expert handle it."
Cecilia had no choice but to nod. Then she glanced at Elara. "Well, then have your secretary coordinate with me."
Elara was taken aback. "Me? I'm not in charge of case coordination."
"I don't care. That's your problem," Cecilia said, refusing to back down.
Adrian noticed the way Cecilia was eyeing Elara and immediately grew wary. "What, just because you're Mr. Jackson Kalmien's daughter, you think you can throw your weight around? Mrs. Thorne, she is my girlfriend."
Cecilia frowned. "Your girlfriend? Aren't you engaged to the Heaton family?"
"Being engaged doesn't mean I can't have a girlfriend," Adrian said, completely unfazed.
Cecilia pointed at Adrian, her finger trembling. "You... How could you be like this?"
Chandler hurriedly tugged at her. "Cecilia, calm down." Seeing Chandler's meaningful look, Cecilia finally lowered her hand.
"Mrs. Thorne, if there's nothing else, my assistant will take you out to sign the contract," Adrian said.
Cecilia sat there for a while without moving, then huffed, "Fine, then make me another cup of coffee." She pointed at Elara as she spoke.
Elara found her request a bit strange, but she still did as she was told. She walked over to the coffee station, grabbed a clean cup, made another cappuccino, and brought it over to Cecilia.
Cecilia lifted her chin slightly, signaling for Elara to put the coffee on the coffee table. Elara had no choice but to bend down and place the coffee on the table.
"Ouch!" Elara winced, clutching her head. "Mrs. Thorne, why did you pull my hair?"
Cecilia pretended to be clueless. "I didn't."
Elara frowned, watching as Cecilia calmly picked up the coffee and took a few leisurely sips. "Yeah, that'll do," Cecilia said with a casual shrug. After that, she got up and sauntered out.
'Seriously? What was that all about?' Elara thought, utterly speechless.
Once they stepped out of the office, Chandler nudged Cecilia's arm. "Wasn't that a little too obvious?"
Cecilia slipped the two strands of hair she'd just pulled into a clear plastic bag. "Who cares? This is the secret weapon that'll finally get Nathan and Jackson to bury the hatchet."
Just then, Justin came out of the office to lead them to sign the contract.
Cecilia turned to him and asked, "Isn't your secretary, Elara, a top graduate from Westbridge University? How come she's working as a secretary here at your law firm?"
Justin smiled. "She's just here to help out a friend on a temporary basis."
"That's such a waste of talent," Cecilia said, shaking her head.
Justin replied, "Yeah. This way, Mrs. Thorne."
Back in the office, Elara was busy cleaning up a few coffee cups and carrying them over to the coffee station.
"Did Cecilia just pull your hair?" Adrian asked. From where he was sitting earlier, Adrian hadn't been able to see what Cecilia did.
"Yeah, but it was probably just an accident," Elara replied casually. She didn't really think much of it. It barely hurt, just felt like a tiny little tug.
She leaned over the sink, carefully washing the cups, when Adrian came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. He planted a kiss on the back of her neck. "How about I give you the afternoon off?"
"What's this? Is my heartless boss actually letting me take a break?" Elara teased.
"Go home this afternoon, pack your things, and move into Veritasiton Hills tonight," Adrian said.
He couldn't wait any longer. She had to move in as soon as possible. Adrian wasn't about to wait and risk anything getting in the way.
Elara let out an exasperated laugh. "I knew it. Adrian, you really are a heartless boss."
"Why don't I let you take the whole day off at home tomorrow?" Adrian suggested.
"Is that really just a day off, or do you have some ulterior motive?" Elara teased, raising an eyebrow.
Adrian couldn't help but suspect she could read his mind. Because honestly, he did have something planned.
"Tomorrow, you will be working from home, having a video conference with SmartWin in Landblic all afternoon. I'm just switching up my office," Elara said.
Caught in the act, Adrian sighed. "Why are you so hard to fool, Elara?"
"Hard to fool? Then how did you manage to talk me into living right downstairs from you?" Elara shot back.
"You call that tricking you?" Adrian asked, pretending to be innocent.
"Sure, whatever you say, Mr. Hartley. As long as you're happy," Elara teased.
Anyway, she was in a good mood today, so she just let him have the upper hand in their banter. After all, she was supposed to be a gentle and understanding woman.
"Adrian, your birthday's coming up in a couple of days. Is there anything you want as a gift?" Elara asked. Honestly, she really didn't know what to get him. He didn't lack for anything.
"Doesn't matter. Just having you with me is enough," Adrian replied.
Adrian had never really celebrated his birthday in the 28 years he'd been alive. He'd never had any particular wishes before, but at that moment, he had one small desire. He just wanted Elara to be by his side.
"Alright then, we'll be together at work on the sixth anyway, so it doesn't really matter," Elara said.
Elara finished cleaning up the coffee station and wiped her hands with a tissue. "So, are you coming back with me this afternoon, or do you have other things to do?"
"You go ahead. I've got to drop someone off this afternoon," Adrian replied.
Back then, Elara never really cared who he was giving a ride to. At that moment, though, she asked warily, "Who are you dropping off?"
"Victor," Adrian replied.
"Where's he going?" Elara pressed.
"He's moving to Marisiton for work," Adrian said.
"He's not coming back?" Elara asked, sounding worried.
"Yeah," Adrian replied.
Elara glanced at Adrian with concern for Ruby in her eyes. "Does Ruby know?"
"Victor wanted you to know so you could tell her. That's his request. His flight's at 3:20 this afternoon," Adrian explained.
Elara nodded. "Alright, I'll send her a WhatsApp message."
With that, she turned to leave. But Adrian pulled her back into his arms. "What now?" Elara asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Come here, give me a kiss," Adrian said, his tone playful.
Elara's weak protest was muffled as he pulled her close again.
By lunchtime, Elara clocked out and headed straight home. She drove back to Flowery Apartments and parked in the underground garage, then gave Ruby a call.
"Hey, Ruby, did you hear? Victor's leaving Veritasiton," Elara said.
Ruby replied, "Well, I do now."
Elara walked into the elevator and hit her floor. "So, are you going to see him off? His flight to Marisiton is at 3:20 this afternoon."
Ruby shook her head. "No."
As the elevator went up, Elara added honestly, "He's not planning to come back to Veritasiton anytime soon. I heard he's completely cut ties with the Montgomery family."
"Not my problem," Ruby replied coolly.
The elevator doors opened, and Elara stepped out. "Alright, just don't regret it later."
"Won't happen," Ruby shot back.
Elara entered the code on the fingerprint lock. "Alright, I passed on the message. That's all I needed to do."
"I've already cut things off with him. Whatever happens to him has nothing to do with me anymore," Ruby said firmly.
Elara pushed open the door, took off her high heels in the entryway, and was about to say something else when she turned and spotted a figure in the living room. Startled, her phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor.
Elara's voice trembled slightly. "Mom... Mom?"