Page 115 of The Professor's Possession (Crystal River Billionaire Brothers)

I smile innocently. “A friend of mine.”

“Well, maybe I can help you,” he replies. “I’m Elton. I live here. I can pass on a message if you’d like.”

I shake my head. “I think he doesn’t live here anymore. To be honest, I don’t even know what I’m doing at this door now that I am here.”

The old man straightens up with a twinkle in his eye. “Ah. I’m assuming you’re looking for Spencer Penmayne?”

So, I have come to the right place.

My research has done me well.

“You know Spencer?” I ask him.

“Of course. I was his neighbor when he lived here.”

“Right.”

“Spencer and his wife moved back to his hometown. I can’t remember the name of it now. But that was the last I heard.”

Yep.His wife. What Elton is telling me is simply reinforcing the burning anger brewing in my mind about the lying professor.

“I didn’t know him too well,” Elton continues. “The man was very private. I know he comes from a very rich family.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, you’re his friend. I don’t need to tell you all this. I’m sure there’s another way you can contact him?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Perfect.”

“Thank you for trying to help,” I tell him.

“Say hello from me, will you? He was always a gentleman. You don’t come across many of them these days. He seemed like a good husband.”

Ha. Gentleman. That’s the last word I would use to describe the deceiver.

“For sure.”

I turn and make my way down the stairs and back onto the sidewalk.

So. I have full proof now. Spencer lied to me. He’s really got a wife. He’s agood husband. That’s all I needed from Boston; why I traveled all this way for. Some kind of answer.

And now I’ve got it fully confirmed.

And now I’m even angrier than I was when I discovered the ring and wedding photo album. Spencer’s wife has been in Crystal River all this time. He was keeping her hidden from me, the secretive man.

What a stupid dark past he’s got. He’s notmysteriousat all - he’s just your average cheating man. He’s just a creepy professor out to get his dick sucked by the naïve young college student that he’ll soon throw away like the time-old story. He’s nothing but a marital cheater.

I should just cut him off. He doesn’t deserve my attention.

But I can’t leave things unresolved. This is the time to make a stand like Dad was telling me over the phone. It’s time to reassert myself.

It’s time to find my professor and confront him.

54

OLIVIA

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