When Ellinor was in the shower, her phone started ringing Her phone hadnât been charged all day, and after ringing for a while, it automatically powered off.
After her shower and drying her hair, she plugged her phone in to charge but didnât bother turning it on to check it. She just hit the sack.
The next morning after breakfast, Ellinor concocted a reassuring excuse for her family and hit the road.
Marissa was a bit on pins and needles about letting her go out alone, but knowing Collin was picking her up eased her mind. She figured that Theo must have arranged for Ellinorâs protection.
Since it was the weekend, Moran would be coming over during the day to tutor Veronica. Veronica was up at the crack of dawn, getting herself ready to see him. She was also concerned about what Ellinor might be up to and wanted to tag along, but she didnât want to miss her date with Moran. After mulling it over and seeing Collin pick Ellinor up, she figured sheâd be in good hands with him and decided to stay put and wait for Moran.
Collin rode shotgun, accompanying Ellinor to Howard Mountain Villa in the sticks.
The Howards had given them a headsâup that they would be greeted upon arrival.
The Howards and the Blanchets had some beef, but they respected Ellinor nonetheless.
They were cruising along the country roads.
After wrapping up some work, Collin closed his laptop, turned around, and took a gander at Ellinor, who was catching some Zâs.
âDid you hit the hay early last night?â Collin asked.
Upon hearing his question, Ellinor didnât open her eyes, âMaybe I didnât check the time before I crashed. Whatâs up?â
âNothing major, your phone was off when Mr. Blanchet tried calling you last night. He was worried sick about you and called me. I reassured him you were okay, then he chilled out.â
âMy phone conked out last night.â Ellinor answered Collin.
Actually, she saw Theoâs missed call as soon as she turned on her phone in the morning. She called him back, but his phone was off.
Since there was a time difference, he might have been getting some shutâeye.
So she didnât bother making a second call.
For the past few days, she had been waiting for his call. He was supposed to have called her right after landing to check in, but it didnât come until last night.
Plus, it was probably triggered by the call Veronica made to him yesterday. He might have wanted to explain something.
She was not exactly sure what was happening between those two, feeling like it was getting more and more like watching paint dry.
She didnât even want to think about who the woman answering Theoâs phone yesterday might be.
Ellinor thought for a moment, opened her eyes lazily, and asked Collin, âHas the Blanchet Corporation been running any new projects in M State recently thatâs been eating up Theoâs time?â
Confronted with the question, Collin averted his gaze, âUmâ¦â
Seeing that Collin was struggling to spit it out, Ellinor raised an eyebrow, âTrade secrets?â
Collin fell silent.
Ellinor found it utterly mindânumbing. Exhausted, she closed her eyes again, âNever mind, forget I asked.â
Collin was worried that she might be ticked off, so he explained, âItâs not a trade secret. Even if it was, Mr. Blanchet wouldnât keep it from you. Iâm just an employee;
itâs not my place to discuss important matters with you. You can call Mr. Blanchet directly; heâll explain it to you himself.â
Ellinor smirked sarcastically. If he wanted to tell her, he wouldâve done so before he left on his trip. He wouldnât have waited for her to ask.