Page 21 of The Next Door Billionaire's Deception

“Richard, do you know what time it is?” she speaks first. “Some of us have lives outside work.”

“Listen, Anna. This is urgent. She invited me to her apartment again.”

She exhales. ‘Richard, I’m not your gossip partner, and this is outside of work hours. I don’t want to hear about your sex life.”

My lips curve. “What if I’m offering a bonus?”

“That’s a weird reason to offer a bonus. So, do you want to go to her apartment again? I doubt that you’d get the chance to search her apartment.”

I chuckle. Typical Anna.

“Anything can happen.”

“After she caught you snooping around that first time? Don’t be delusional. I suggest you deny the invitation. It’s a trap.”

“Is it, though? It could be an opportunity.”

She huffs. “If you were already planning on going, why did you call me?”

“In case I get murdered. You’re the only other person I can talk to casually about this matter. If your boss gets murdered, you can be a witness.”

“Or my boss can mind his business and leave me out of it. I already told you, Richard. Leave this issue to the professionals. It’s not worth it.”

“I’m going.”

“Don’t waste my time anymore, then. Good night.”

I stare at the phone for a few seconds after the call ends. Why’s she so pissed?

It doesn’t matter. I made the right call. Even if I don’t get to search her apartment, it’s enough to get a statement from the CEO of Emerald Inc. A few glasses of wine can relax her and loosen her tongue. Maybe she’ll admit to the shady business happening underground. Nothing could be more incriminating. I just want a swift closure to the case.

The microwave rings. Using my oven mittens, I pull my dinner out of the microwave and pour it on the China. As I eat, my mind is abuzz with thoughts of ways to get Melissa to open up.

After I'm done, I load my dish into the dishwater and head straight to my room for a shower. I’m halfway through the whole routine before it dawns on me that it just looks like I’m preparing for a date. No wonder Anna sounded annoyed.

Date Melissa Durham?I scoff.No way.

Minutes later, I’m out of the apartment. Even though she invites me to drink wine, leaving my home to someone else’s without a gift doesn't feel good, so I take a bottle of wine as well.

She answers the door after the first knock.

“I didn’t think you’d make it. Come in, Richard.”

It takes a lot of effort to keep my jaw from dropping. She has changed into a see-through pink robe with a low-cut neck. Her hair flows freely down her neck, and her face is free of make-up, giving her a youthful, fresh glow.

“Oh, don’t mind my attire. I like to be comfortable at home. You didn’t have to bring me a gift though,” she says, but still takes the bottle from my hands.

“Pinot noir? That’s so kind of you. I know exactly where to put this!”

She sounds excited. Her skin’s flushed pink, like she just got out of the bath.

“Have a seat while I set everything up.” She steps aside to let me in. “I put the wine in an ice bucket to cool after inviting you. If you didn’t come, I would’ve finished it myself.”

I enter her apartment. It feels warmer, somehow. More soothing. Melissa gestures to a couch.

“Please, make yourself comfortable.”

She bends to retrieve the remote from the couch. I avert my gaze from her cleavage, swallowing. My breathing turns a little shallow.

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