Chapter 253
Chapter 253:
Eliza crossed to it and pressed the button. “Yes p>
“Mrs. Koch.” The concierge’s voice was polite but strained. “There is a visitor for you. A Mr. Hemmings p>
Eliza frowned. The name sounded formal, unfamiliar. “I don’t know a Mr. Hemmings p>
“He presented a card, ma’am. With the Chapman family crest p>
Eliza froze. Chapman. Claudine’s family. The name brought a rush of cold memories — the mango cake, the hospital bed, the sneer on Claudine’s face.
“What does he want?” she asked, her grip tightening on the receiver.
“He says he has a delivery. And a message p>
“Send him up p>
“Are you crazy?” Azalea spun around on her stool. “Chapman? Claudine? Why are you letting them up? Do you want to get poisoned again p>
“It’s a butler, Azalea. Not a hitman,” Eliza said, though her heart was racing.
A few minutes later, the elevator doors slid open. An elderly man stepped out, dressed in a suit that had seen better days, his posture slightly stooped. He looked tired, worn down by the collapse of the family he served. He held a small envelope in both hands.
𝘋𝗂scоve𝗿 𝘯e𝘄 𝘴𝘁о𝗿і𝘦ѕ 𝗈𝗇
“Mrs. Koch. Miss Koch.” He bowed deeply.
“What does Claudine want? More trouble?” Azalea rose from her stool and moved to stand beside Eliza, her posture instinctively defensive.
“Miss Claudine is leaving,” the butler said, his voice raspy. “She is moving to Switzerland. The family estate has been seized. She is going to a facility in Zurich p>
“Good riddance,” Azalea muttered.
“She requests a brief audience with you, Mrs. Koch. To return something.” His eyes met Eliza’s — and they were sad. “Before she goes p>
“Tell her to mail it,” Azalea snapped. “We don’t do audiences with psychos p>
“She wishes to apologize. In person.” The butler paused. “She is not well. She has been humbled. She leaves tonight p>
Eliza looked at the old man. She saw the genuine concern in his eyes, the quiet loyalty he still carried for a mistress who had not earned it.
“I’ll go,” Eliza decided.
“Eliza — no! It’s a trap!” Azalea grabbed her arm. “She’s going to push you off a balcony or something p>
“It’s closure, Azalea. I need to close this book.” Eliza gently removed Azalea’s hand. “I need to see her defeated. For myself.” She held Azalea’s gaze. “I’ll take security. I won’t be alone p>
“Fine,” Azalea huffed, crossing her arms. “But if she tries anything — literally anything — I’m calling Dad. And he will level the entire city block p>
The butler bowed again. “Thank you, Madam. She is at the Plaza. Suite 402 p>
Eliza went to her room to change. She chose a white suit — sharp tailoring, pristine fabric. It was the color of surrender, but on her, it looked like victory. Pure. Untouchable.
She took out her phone and texted Dallas.
Meeting Claudine. Don’t worry. Taking guards. Need to finish this.
The reply came instantly.
I’m tracking you. You have 40 minutes. Then I come in.