#Chapter 70: The Stain

Agnes The door to Elijah’s office swung open with a quiet creak, and I stepped inside, clutching my notepad to my chest. He was seated at his desk, his suit jacket draped over the back of his chair, the sleeves of his crisp white button down rolled up to his elbows. He looked up as I entered, his sharp gaze softening just a fraction when it landed on me. “Agnes,” he said, leaning back slightly. “Perfect timing.” I blinked, a little thrown off by his tone. It wasn’t the brusque, businesslike cadence he usually adopted during the workday. Instead, it was almost something closer to relief. “What’s going on?” I asked, shutting the door behind me and stepping closer to his desk. He gestured toward his phone, which was lit up with a string of emails on the screen. “My assistant is out sick. I’ve got a business lunch with some business partners in a little under an hour, and I need someone to accompany me.” I raised an eyebrow. “You want me to accompany you