Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Elara was surprised. She thought, 'That's weird. Aren't you busy with the massage? What do you need your phone for? Besides, I got my work to do, okay?'
Elara declined politely. "Sorry, Ms. Scott. I can't leave the office during work hours. You can get your phone yourself after the massage."
Seeing that Elara wasn't so easy to fool, Jenna came up with another excuse. "Mr. Hartley asked you to stand by just in case I needed anything. Don't you think so?
"Besides, I have a treatment plan for Mr. Hartley on my phone, and after I finish this, I'll need to discuss it with him. This is all about him, so could you go to the garage and get it for me? It won't take long."
Elara was reluctant but remained polite. She said, "Okay then, I'll go after the massage is finished and Mr. Hartley wakes up."
Jenna's expression darkened as she said, "Elara, I'm the massage therapist arranged by Susan. You don't have to be so wary of me. You can see Mr. Hartley is exhausted and in pain. Are you sure you want to keep him waiting that long?"
Elara was speechless.
"Susan hired me. Are you questioning her judgment?" Jenna challenged.
Although Elara was irritated by her attitude, she felt that it wasn't worth arguing with her. She thought, 'Fine, she can't possibly do anything to Adrian. I'll make this as quick as possible.'
She said, "Tell me the parking spot number and give me your car keys."
"Spot 9901. The keys are in my bag," Jenna replied.
Elara got the keys while rummaging through Jenna's bag. Out of the corner of her eye, she also spotted a small bottle of pink essential oil inside, which looked just like the sedative oil she saw many years ago abroad.
However, Elara quickly brushed it off, thinking that these essential oils just looked alike anyway. She took the keys, left the office, and headed straight for the underground garage.
Elara wobbled around the underground garage in her heels, searching everywhere for Spot 9901. She thought, 'Aren't the parking spots supposed to be in order? Why can't I find it?'
Elara had been searching for so long that her head started to spin.
Just then, someone said in a familiar voice from behind, "What are you looking for?"
Elara was stunned. Turning around, she saw Alex standing there in a black suit, briefcase in hand. She lowered her gaze, saying indifferently, "I'm looking for Spot 9901."
Alex nodded. "Haven't you found it yet?"
"Yeah. I looked all over but still couldn't find it," Elara replied.
"Let me help you," he said.
Elara quickly waved him off. "No need."
"This garage has nearly a thousand spots on B1 and B2, divided into east, west, south, and north sections. Are you seriously going to wander around aimlessly in those high heels?" Alex knew exactly how to get through to her.
"Which section are you going to? Which level?" he asked.
Elara froze because she forgot to ask Jenna about that.
Alex could tell that Elara was completely lost. He said, "Come on, that's the east section. I'll take you there." Without waiting for her response, he started walking off, leaving Elara no choice but to follow.
Alex said, "Julian told me that you've become Adrian's secretary at Anchor Law Firm. Guess it's true, isn't it?"
Elara frowned and said, "Alex, don't tell me you came all the way here just to confirm this."
Alex shook his head. "I arranged with Mr. Collins last week to meet this Monday and discuss the latest updates on the case. I didn't expect to run into you."
Elara gave a slight nod, saying nothing.
Alex stopped and said, "Here's the east section, Spot 9901. Is this the car you're looking for?"
Elara pressed the key fob, but nothing happened.
"No," she said flatly.
"Alright, I'll take you to the west section," he said, continuing forward but deliberately slowing his pace, mindful of Elara's discomfort in heels. "Are you here about my father's case?"
Elara didn't admit it. "Don't you suspect I came here just to chase after Adrian?" After all, she had once chased Alex all the way abroad.
Alex said, "Elara, I've already given up my future for Dad's case. Please, don't get involved in this mess."
"Like I said, I'm after Adrian," Elara said.
Alex stopped in his tracks and looked at her seriously. "Elara, do you really know him? Do you honestly believe someone like him could ever get serious about a relationship?
"I did some research. He's been engaged since he was eighteen, and even though they didn't get married, they never called off the engagement. You won't end well if you stay with him."
Elara shot back. "I never thought of marrying him. What's wrong with having a little fun with him? I've never even been in a relationship, and I just want to date someone good. Besides, he clearly likes me."
Alex was angered by her words. He said, "You gave me all that sensible advice. Why can't you take your own?"
Elara chuckled. "Well, it's always easier said than done."
Elara said that on purpose because it was the only way she could help ease Alex's guilt.
Alex walked forward and said, "Here's the west section, Spot 9901."
Elara pressed the key fob again, but still, nothing happened. Then they headed to the south section.
"Elara," Alex suddenly said.
"What?" Elara looked at him.
Alex said, "I'm getting engaged."
Elara suddenly stopped in her tracks. For a few seconds, her mind went completely blank, and she didn't know how she should react.
Alex stopped to look at her, saying, "Next Saturday. It's also Nancy's birthday. Come with Julian and Ruby."
"I'm not going." Elara turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes.
Alex pulled the invitation letter from his bag. "Nancy insisted I deliver this to you personally. She wants you guys to come."
Elara shot him a wounded glance. "Do you want me there?"
Alex nodded helplessly. "It's not my choice. Sadie insisted."
Elara sneered. "Oh, come on. Alex, I'm so disappointed in you." She shoved Alex aside with violent force and stormed straight toward the south section without looking back, and Alex immediately followed her.
Never before had she felt such deep shame for crying, and her tears were falling freely and beyond her control. She yelled, "Stop following me!"
"Elara," Alex said, grabbing her arm and dragging her to a quiet stairwell entrance. He closed the door and reached out to wipe away her tears, but she flinched away.
"Elara, I know you're upset. Just give me some time. After the engagement, Sadie will settle my father's case with the Heaton family privately. Once everything's resolved, I'll finish all this and we'll go abroad together, okay?" said Alex.
Elara wouldn't listen, and her face was drenched in tears. She just wanted to figure one thing out. "Did you sleep with her?"
Alex froze, stunned. He hadn't expected her to say that.
Elara knew the answer when she saw his expression, but she still pressed him for a response, refusing to let it go. "Answer me."
After a long silence, Alex finally said in a low voice, "I did."
Elara slumped against the wall, a hopeless laugh escaping her lips.
Alex stepped forward. "Elara—"
Elara said, "Stay away from me."
Alex's lips trembled, his chest tight with emotion, but no words came out. He shoved the invitation letter into Elara's hand, opened the door, and walked out without another word.
The door slammed shut behind Elara, plunging the stairwell into darkness. Leaning heavily against the wall, she collapsed onto the steps, letting her tears stream freely down her face.
She couldn't help but feel like she had poured her heart into the wrong person all those years.
Before Elara could finish crying, the shrill ringtone cut through her sobs. She wiped her tears with her sleeve and answered the call. "Hello?"
"Where the hell are you?" Adrian snapped angrily.
"I came down to get Jenna's phone for her," she replied.
"Her phone is right here. What are you doing?" Adrian said.
"I—" Elara was stunned.
"You've got some nerve, Elara. It's still work hours and you should stay in the office. Get your ass back here!" said he.