Chapter 13
After days of lazing around at home, Lynne finally managed to adjust to the new time zone.
That moming, Martha was surprised to find her rummaging through the boxes she’d shipped from overseas.&
“You’re back among the living?” Martha teased.R
Lynne wiped dust from the lid of her suitcase, frowning at the scratches and dents it had suffered during delivery. At least nothing inside was broken–her treasures had survived the journey.
She kept busy, nodding to Martha by way of answer.
Martha pressed her lips together. “All those photos and videos? The originals have been wiped clean. Looks like Balfour’s handiwork.”
Lynne blinked in surprise, then let out a bitter laugh.&
“He probably thinks I’m gone for good. That we’re even now.”
“Even? If only it were that simple,” Martha scoffed, half–closing her eyes as she gazed out the window.N
Lynne unpacked her things onto the desk, her expression unreadable.&
After a long pause, she spoke softly. “You don’t need to do anything for me. I’ll handle it myself.”
Martha looked at her, a little taken aback, then smiled. “I never said I would. But there is someone you should meet.“N
Sunlight poured into the room, turning every bright comer to gold.
When Lynne came downstairs, she immediately spotted the man on the sofa, sipping tea with effortless grace.N
“It’s your she blurted, genuinely surprised to see him here.
The man’s eyes flickered with a brief, almost hidden delight when he saw her.
“It’s been a while,” he said smoothly. “But tell me, how should I address you now? Mrs. Tobin? Or Miss Simpson?“N
Lynne snorted at her own expense. “Whitfield Tobin. No wonder Balfour couldn’t find you–you’ve been hiding abroad all this time.”
Technically, Whitfield was Balfour’s uncle, though only two years older. As the Tobin family’s illegitimate son, his status wasn’t much different from Balfour, who was adopted.
But blood was blood, and for all these years, if there was anyone Balfour ever kept an eye on, it was Whitfield.N
Lynne had always known Balfour was investigating Whitfield, but after years of searching, he’d come up empty.
At the mention of Balfour, Whitfield’s mouth curled in disdain.
“My dear nephew does flatter me with all that attention,” he said dryly. “But honestly, he’s an idiot.“N
Lynne glanced away. The tangled affairs of the Tobin family were no longer her concern–she had no interest in getting caught up in the feud between uncle and nephew.!!
*So, why are you here?” she asked coolly.
Whitfield arched an eyebrow, amused by her indifference. “I have a business proposition for you.“N
Lynne looked at him, genuinely surprised. “What kind of business could we possibly do together? If it’s anything to do with the Tobin family, you’re barking up the wrong tree.“%
“It has nothing to do with them,” he said. “I know you’ve been working on heritage projects. I have a gallery–great location, perfect atmosphere. Might be just what you need. Want to check it out?”
Lynne was caught off guard. How did Whitfield, all the way out here, know what she’d been doing? Even Balfour hadn’t figured it out.
She lowered her eyes, considering. She did need a space to display her collection.
“Are you worned f’ll scam you, Miss Simpson?” Whitfield teased, deliberately trying to get a rise out of her.N
Lynne shook her head, then looked up at him. “Let’s go.“%
She grabbed her coat and headed for the door!
Behind her, Martha flashed Whitfield a quick hand signal–three fingers held up. Whitfield just grinned, pulled out his phone, and with a few taps, transferred a hefty sum straight into Martha’s account.
Chapter 14
