Chapter 55: Pathetic Stray
A few snickers ran through the office, none that Matteo could hear, but one clear sweep across the desks and Amelia could spot a few who were celebrating her demise.
Matteo turned to Emmeline, a furrow between his eyebrows. "I was actually referring to you."
Emmeline whirled around, her face an expression of abject shock. However, Matteo had a faintly apologetic look on his face.
"Emmeline, you don’t work here," he clarified. "I’ll meet you there after work."
"But I don’t know where your place is," Emmeline said, pouting. "Besides, the chauffeur has already driven the car away. I have no mode of transport."
"Call a cab," Matteo flatly said, sounding every bit bored. "Ronan can call you one if you’re unwilling."
"A cab?" Emmeline repeated, scandalized. "But those are dangerous! What if they realize who I am and they kidnap me?"
From an angle Emmeline could not see, Ronan and Amelia shared a look. Even though Ronan was from a wealthy family, he depended fairly heavily on the city’s public transport. Having seen before how recklessly the Hawthorne chauffeur drove, he was willing to bet an arm and leg that it was safer taking the cab than the Hawthorne’s family car.
Maybe the Hawthorne chauffeur wanted to send the entire family to hell. That would explain his driving skills.
"In the highly unlikely event you get kidnapped, we will be able to pay the ransom," Matteo said, easily brushing off her concerns. "And Sol City boasts a robust police force that will stop at nothing to get you back."
"Matteo, you’re such a stick in the mud," Emmeline complained, stomping her foot petulantly as though she was a child, her lips forming into a pout. "But I guess I should have expected this. I’ll see you later," Emmeline said, her pout transforming into a lovely smile.