More Than A Favor

Chapter 96

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“Really? But who could it be?” Tessa asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity. “Your parents have been gone for years, and their old friends have long since moved on. They’ve never even mentioned your parents‘ names in ages. Why would anyone suddenly show up to pay respects?”

Her words struck a nerve.

The idea that people “move on” hit me harder than I expected. I hadn’t noticed their absence in conversations before, but Tessa’s blunt reminder left me feeling unsettled.

“Maybe someone made a mistake, Elaine?” Tessa suggested, trying to offer a logical explanation.

I glanced at the tombstone, its photo and name clear and unmistakable. How could anyone confuse this grave with another? Her words felt like something you’d tell a child to dismiss their worries.

“Maybe,” I agreed, not wanting to continue the conversation.

But I knew it wasn’t a mistake. It wasn’t the Mercer family, nor could it have been Mom and Dad’s old friends.

That bouquet of daisies was suspicious, and I intended to get to the bottom of it.

“Elaine, don’t overthink it. I’ll ask Ethan later if he knows anything or if anyone might have done this,” Tessa reassured me.

“Alright,” I replied.

Before hanging up, she reminded me again to make sure I attended Ethan’s birthday celebration.

Later, I took a photo of the bouquet and posted it on Instagram with the caption: “Whose remembrance could this be?”

Shortly after, Nora called me. I was surprised she had time to check social media in the middle of her busy day.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

After explaining the situation, I murmured, “I just can’t figure out who it could be. It’s so strange.”

Nora, however, had shifted her focus. “Are you seriously going to the Mercer estate? Isn’t that like walking straight into a trap?”

“Not going isn’t really an option,” I admitted. “But at the same time, I’m nervous about what Logan might try to pull.”

“Then you need someone with you,” she said firmly. “A man. Even if things go south, at least you’ll have someone by your side, and it might finally make Logan and the Mercer family back off.” After a pause, she asked, “Has Ashton contacted you?”

“He turned me down,” I said with a sigh.

about Ashton’s insistence on being a

Who knows–you

in the right place for that

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wasn’t someone I could take lightly. If he wanted to pursue a relationship with me, he’d want my full commitment. Playing around with him wasn’t

and didn’t push the

what are you going to do? Should I come with you? Even if it doesn’t change Logan’s

of thought, I replied, “No, I

say yes to Ashton already. It’s

other men? Set me up with someone. I’ll even pay if I have to.”

unbelievable,” Nora said, stunned by my suggestion.

option,” I argued. “No

plan seemed flawless to me.

few guys, but they’re all serious

what?” I

date,” she said. “There’s this trending matchmaker service online. You could look for someone publicly, and it might even save you the trouble of explaining it to the Mercers.”

idea sounded ridiculous, but it intrigued me. Maybe a blind date was worth

meet my blind date. I was

he wasn’t the stereotypical middle–aged man with a beer belly or a receding hairline. He was well–dressed in a crisp,

wasn’t “catfished,” his tardiness had

relationship. I just needed someone to play the part–professiona lly and

politely as he

to the point. “I’m not here for a real date.

a moment.

don’t want a real relationship right now, but I urgently need someone to play the role

I might have offended him. To ease the tension, I quickly added, “Of course, I’ll pay you for your time.”

well–off,” he remarked, his

slightly. “We can negotiate a daily

willing to pay?” he asked, his expression

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