Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 250

Chapter 250

I’m sorry, Ms. Hale, but Mr. Stone is in a meeting and cannot be disturbed.”

“Tell him it’s urgent,” I insisted, pacing back and forth, the phone gripped so tightly my knuckles were white.

“I’ll pass along the message, but he specifically instructed-”

I hung up, cursing under my breath. “Bastard,” I muttered, running my hands through my hair. So much for that plan.

I was about to call my mother’s medical team to check on her progress when my phone rang. Oliver’s name flashed on the screen.

“Oliver?” I answered, immediately concerned. “Are you okay?”

“Cousin!” His voice sounded stronger than when I’d last seen him in the hospital. “I’m fine! Better than fine, actually. The law enforcement officers just left. They said it was only a warning this time, and nothing’s going on my record!”

Relief flooded through me, and I sank onto the couch, my knees suddenly weak. “That’s wonderful news,” I said, a genuine smile spreading across my face. “What about your leg?”

“The doctor says I can leave in a couple more days. The break wasn’t as bad as they thought, and the surgery went perfectly.”

“I’m so glad, Oliver. I was worried sick about you.” My voice cracked slightly as the emotional weight of the past few days caught up with

1. me.

“You don’t need to worry about me anymore,” he assured me. “I’m going to be fine.”

After we hung up, I realized I should thank Miranda for her help with Oliver’s case. Despite my misgivings about her motives, she had come through as promised. I twisted a strand of hair nervously around my finger as I considered the call.

I dialed her number, mentally rehearsing a brief, polite expression of gratitude while my free hand drummed anxiously against my thigh.

“Elsa, darling,” Miranda answered warmly. “I was just thinking about you.”

“I wanted to thank you for helping with Oliver’s situation,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. “I just spoke with him, and it seems everything has been resolved.”

“It was nothing, dear. That’s what family is for.”

I bit back a retort about not actually being family, my teeth grinding together. In Miranda’s world, I was already Drake’s wife in all but

name.

“Speaking of family,” she continued, “we’re having a gathering at the Stone family territory next weekend. You must come. Marcus has

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10:49 Tue, Apr 28

Chapter 250

been asking about you.”

“I appreciate the invitation,” I said carefully, my foot tapping rapidly against the floor, betraying my anxiety. “But I’m not sure my

schedule will allow it. Perhaps we could meet for lunch at Peak instead?”

‘Of course, dear. Whatever works best for you. We’ll arrange something soon. There was a pause. “How are you settling back in? Drake

mentioned you’re taking some time to recover.”

Of course he had. I forced a pleasant tone while my nails dug crescents into my palm. “I’m fine, thank you. Just catching up on rest.

“Wonderful. Well, I won’t keep you. Do take care of yourself, Elsa.”

After ending the call, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I exhaled a long breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and slumped back against the couch cushions. At least that social obligation was handled without incident. I wandered back to the study, intending to take another look at the Wayne contract, but exhaustion suddenly hit me like a physical blow.

I sank onto the plush leather couch in the corner of the study, telling myself I would rest just for a moment. My limbs felt like lead, and my eyelids drooped despite my efforts to keep them open. The events of the past few days–my mother’s surgery, returning to Drake, the

emotional roller coaster of it all–ha

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