“What’s going on, Sierra? You’re definitely hiding something.” I cut her off. “Is Arthur threatening you? Or is there something else that you had to leave your job? Tell me, Sierra. Trust me, if there’s anything like that, I can help you. I’ll talk to Ace myself.” Placing a hand on her shoulder, I tried to assure her.

Shaking her head, she gulped. “You’re mistaken. He didn’t do anything. I left the job because of my personal reasons, which I already told you.”

“Don’t lie to me, Sierra. It’s in your eyes. I can see it. He’s done something that you had to take this step. I saw you with him. You were crying. Please tell me the truth. I can help you,” I probed, my voice was desperate.

I had been suspicious about this man from the start. At Tess’s engagement party he denied before everyone he hadn’t met me before. Which was a complete lie. And at our first meeting, the words he said, no sane person would say those things to a stranger just like that. So, assuming he may have forgotten wouldn’t be right either.

He’s always given me a negative vibe. And now that I was close to discovering the real face behind his polite mask, I didn’t want to lose the chance.

Taking a step back from me, she wrapped her arms around herself. “You can’t help me, Emerald. No one can. Don’t think too much of what you saw. It was nothing. Just forget it.”

“Of course I can. If I talk to Ace, he’ll definitely hear me out and believe me.” I knew he would. But… against his own uncle? Would he go to the extent of me to distrust his uncle who had always supported him in every phase of life?

Shaking her head, she took a glance at the door. “You shouldn’t have come here, Emerald. I think you should go now.”

“But—”

“Please, I’m begging you. I can’t tell you anything! Don’t drag us both into danger by digging something that isn’t related to you.” Though her voice was stern, there was moisture in her eyes.

Danger? Something churned in my stomach.

“What danger?”

“Emerald, please. Just leave. I’m telling this for your own good.”

I sighed. “At least tell me why you quit.”

She stayed silent for a moment, and then said, “I had to. I didn’t want to do things against my morals.”

Taking a sip on my tea, I watched the steam vanishing into the thin air slowly.

Why did she mean by that? She didn’t want to do things against her morals?