Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 297

9:10 am Pp

Alpha’s Private Plaything

Chapter 297-

Elsa

I eyed the bag suspiciously, physically recolting. “I don’t want any gifts from you.”

“It’s not a gift, it’s information, Bruce replied, pushing the Dag toward me. “About your father.”

My breath caught, a cold weight settling in my stomach. “What about my father?”

“I did some digging. That gambling problem that ruined your family? It wasn’t an accident. Clark lured your father into those games, made sure he lost everything. But Samuel was just following orders.”

I felt like I’d been punched in the gut, the air rushing from my lungs as I struggled to breathe. “Whose orders?” I managed to choke out.

Bruce shrugged. “That’s the part I’m still working on.”

I stared at the small gift bag, knowing it probably contained evidence of what Bruce was claiming. My father’s gambling addiction had destroyed our family, forced my mother to work three jobs until she got sick. It was the reason I’d accepted Drake’s offer ten years ago-we’d needed the money for my mother’s treatments.

And now Bruce was telling me it had all been orchestrated? That someone had deliberately targeted my family?

“Why would you look into this?” I asked, my voice barely audible, a tremor running through my entire body.

Bruce’s smile was slow and predatory. “Because I want you to know I can be useful, Elsa. Consider it part of my courtship strategy.”

I stood abruptly, nearly knocking over my water glass, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. “I need to go. Now.”

“But we haven’t had our main course,” Bruce protested, though he didn’t look surprised by my reaction.

“I’ve lost my fucking appetite,” I said flatly, grabbing my purse and slinging it over my shoulder with enough force to make the strap dig into my skin.

Bruce sighed dramatically but stood as well. “At least let me drive you home.”

Tll take a taxi,” I said firmly, already taking steps toward the exit.

“Don’t be stubborn, Elsa. It’s getting late.”

I knew arguing would just prolong this nightmare of an evening. Fine,” I spat, my jaw clenched so tight it ached, but I want to go now.

Bruce left money on the table and guided me toward the exit, the gift bag dangling from his linges Dep’t forget your Blowers, he sash, gestuct bosquet on & side table that I hadn’t noticed before pais pink roses, nothing like the silver ones Drake hus seat.

They ie tot coming with for, said firmly, practically starting the words.

9:10 am P P

Chapter 297

Islammed my ear door shut with enough force to make the chassis shake, a string of curses escaping through my clenched teeth as I checked my watch. The fucking board meeting had dragged on forever, and now I was late for my appointment with a potential investor. My temples throbbed with the beginning of a headache as I stalked toward my car, my fingers loosening my tie with an aggressive tug.

The hospital entrance caught my eye-the same hospital where Elsa’s mother was being treated for silver poisoning. The sight of it made something in my chest tighten uncomfortably.

I shouldn’t give a shit. I had no goddamn reason to be thinking about her, especially after our last encounter. Yet I found myself slowing down, my gaze lingering on the entrance like a fucking lovesick teenager. Just as I was about to force myself to look away, I spotted a familiar figure exiting the building.

Elsa.

Even from a distance, I could tell something was wrong. Her normally confident stride was unsteady, her shoulders slumped in a way that set off every protective instinct I’d been trying to suppress. She looked completely drained, her face alarmingly pale as she fumbled with her phone, fingers trembling

visibly.

I watched as she collided with a man carrying a suitcase, the impact nearly sending her sprawling. She stumbled backward, eyes closing as if bracing for the

fall, her entire body swaying dangerously.

Without thinking, I moved. In three long strides, I was behind her, catching her before she hit the ground. My arms wrapped around her waist possessively, pulling her against my chest. Her body felt alarmingly warm against mine, and I could feel the slight tremor running through her, the heat of her fever radiating through her thin blouse.

Her eyes fluttered open, surprise and relief washing over her face as she recognized me. The relief in her expression sent an unexpected jolt straight to my gut, followed immediately by a surge of anger at how poorly she’d been taking care of herself.

“What the fuck, Elsa?” I growled, my concern manifesting as fury as I tightened my grip on her. “Why didn’t you tell me you were sick? You look like death

warmed over.”

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