She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Chapter 73

At the Supper Club.

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The dinner was held at a more secluded Supper Club near Cloudscape. The place was silent, and their room was peaceful.

Frederick was the kind of guy who paid attention to details and knew how to create the right atmosphere.

The dishes he ordered were beautifully prepared and tasty, including two that Haley had mentioned she liked when they’d met the other day.

He even brought a bottle of white wine that was smooth and bursting with fruity notes.

“Try this. I remember you said you liked this the other day,” Frederick said, naturally placing a piece of tender fish onto Haley’s plate.

Haley felt a warm rush and a subtle thrill in her chest. “You really do have a good memory,” she murmured, lowering her head to taste it. The flavor was perfect, as she expected.

As they ate, they swapped stories, from funny memories in law school to the ups and downs of their careers.

Frederick was charming and insightful, sometimes mentioning famous cases he’d handled, which left Haley captivated and deeply impressed.

He listened closely as Haley talked about her own challenges and achievements at work, always offering encouragement or advice right when she needed it.

The gentle, attentive way he looked at her made Haley feel genuinely valued.

Before they knew it, they’d already finished more than half the bottle. Frederick’s cheeks were tinged with a faint blush, his eyes softer than usual.

He took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, showing a touch of laziness and an unexpected

sexiness.

Haley could usually hold her liquor, but with the atmosphere and the way he was looking at her, she was starting to feel a little tipsy, her cheeks warm and her eyes shining bright.

Time slipped by, and by the time they settled the bill and stepped outside, night had deepened, the city lights twinkling in the distance.

“I’ll call a Cab,” Frederick said, pulling out his phone. His fingers moved a bit sluggishly across the screen, his brow slightly furrowed, the alcohol making him slower than usual.

“Which side of town are you on?” Haley asked, concern in her voice. The cool night breeze helped clear her head a little.

“Ginkgo Residences, Southside,” Frederick replied, naming a high-end, private apartment complex.

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Chapter 73

“Hey, I live pretty close to there. It’s right on my way!” Haley’s eyes lit up as she blurted it out.

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Realizing she might’ve sounded a bit too eager, she quickly added, “I mean, since I’m heading home anyway, why don’t I drive you? I didn’t drink much tonight, so it’s fine.”

She waved her car keys, trying to sound like she was being a thoughtful old classmate and new partner, but she couldn’t quite hide the anticipation in her eyes.

Frederick looked up at her, his gaze behind the glasses a little hazy in the warm glow of the restaurant

entrance.

He let out a soft sigh, his smile tinged with helplessness and indulgence. “That’s really too much trouble for you. But I guess I can’t win this one.

“Alright then, thanks for the lift, Haley. Next time, I’ll be your driver.”

“It’s no trouble at all!” Haley’s heart leapt, her smile radiant. “Let’s go, Frederick. The car’s up ahead.”

The car was filled with Haley’s signature light citrus scent. Frederick slid into the passenger seat. He really seemed to be feeling the buzz.

He leaned back, closed his eyes to rest, his tie loosened and the top button of his shirt undone, giving a glimpse of his collarbone.

In the dim light, there was a kind of quiet, unexpected sexiness about him.

Haley started the car with a steady hand, blending into the flow of nighttime traffic. Soft music drifted through the cabin.

After they’d been on the road for a while, Frederick finally broke the silence at a red light, his voice a little rough and magnetic.

“Haley, I really put you through a lot tonight. We were supposed to catch up and talk business, and now you’re stuck playing chauffeur for me.”

“Oh, come on, Frederick, don’t be so formal,” Haley said, smiling as she kept her eyes on the road.

“Honestly, I’m glad I could help. And hey, the Walsh & Associates is going to need your expert guidance in the future.”

Frederick let out a low chuckle, his voice echoing clearly in the enclosed car.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze resting on Haley’s focused profile as she drove, his tone turning more casual, with that familiar senior’s concern.

“By the way, I saw the news today. Beckham and Ms. Stein are causing a stir everywhere. Have keeping up? The internet’s blowing up with gossip.”

you

been

Haley’s heart tightened, her fingers gripping the steering wheel a little harder. Her smile faded a bit, but she kept her tone casual. “Yeah. I scrolled past some posts. It’s pretty crazy online.”

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Chapter 73

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“I remember,” Frederick said, taking his time as if he was digging up an old memory, his voice laced with genuine concern.

“You’ve got a best friend, right? Isn’t she Beckham’s ex-wife, Celia?” He paused, worry flickering in his eyes behind the glasses.

“This whole drama must be rough on her. Some of the stuff online has gone way past normal gossip. People are getting nasty, even leaking her private info.

“If things get out of hand and she needs legal backup, like suing for defamation or invasion of privacy, reach

out to me.

“My firm mostly does non-litigation, but our litigation team is top-tier, and we’ve got all the connections you’d need. Seriously, don’t be shy about asking.”

He didn’t miss a beat, coming across as the kind of dependable guy who’d step up for his friends, no questions asked.

But Haley’s heart was on edge. She used the excuse of adjusting the rearview mirror to steal a quick glance at Frederick.

He was still leaning back in his seat, looking calm and genuinely concerned.

“Celia…” Haley hesitated, carefully choosing her words, remembering Celia’s warning. “She’s doing okay, keeping her cool.

“Actually, she’s not even in the country right now. She went abroad to clear her head, so I doubt she’s paying much attention to all this mess.” She tried to play it down.

“She went abroad?” Frederick raised an eyebrow, looking a bit surprised, then nodded in understanding.

“Honestly, getting away at a time like this is probably for the best. Out of sight, out of mind. Where did she go?

“If it’s one of the major countries, I might be able to ask some friends at local law firms to help her out if needed. It’s always good to have someone looking out for you when you’re in a foreign country.”

“I think she went to see the Great Migration,” Haley said, giving a general idea, reminding herself to stay alert.

“The Great Migration?” Frederick’s eyes lit up, his tone turning lighter. “This is the perfect season for that.

“My cousin and a few friends who make documentaries flew out there a few days ago. Young people love chasing after these kinds of natural wonders.”

He smiled, sounding like he was making small talk. “Is your friend with a research team or on a private tour? Do you know which reserve or camp she’s staying at?

“If she’s close to my cousin’s group, maybe they could look out for each other. Those documentary kids really know their way around out there.”

His question seemed innocent, but it was actually probing for something important. Haley’s internal alarm

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Chapter 73

bells started ringing.

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His concern sounded reasonable and caring, but she genuinely didn’t know the specifics of Celia’s trip to Eastetille.

And more importantly, Celia had made her promise not to share any details about her whereabouts.

“Honestly, I didn’t really ask for specifics,” Haley replied with a smile, doing her best to look casual, with a touch of exasperation at her friend’s unpredictability.

“She said she was going to see the animals and relax. She never tells me her exact plans. You know how she is. She’s got a mind of her own.

“Maybe I’ll text her later and ask?” She offered a reply that sounded helpful, but was really buying time.

Frederick was nothing if not perceptive. He instantly picked up on the subtle hesitation and gentle brush-off in her tone.

For a split second, a fleeting, hard-to-read emotion flashed in his eyes, but he quickly slipped back into his usual gentle, understanding demeanor, even offering a touch of apology.

“No need, really. I was asking offhand. Don’t trouble yourself to check with her or anything.

“Your friend went away to escape all this mess, so let’s not disturb her,” he said considerately, then effortlessly shifted the conversation to some amusing stories from the legal world.

The car glided smoothly into the quiet street where Ginkgo Residences stood. Frederick thanked Haley and stepped out, pausing at the entrance of the upscale apartment building.

He waved at her from the doorway, standing tall, his smile warm and genuine in the night. “Drive safe, Haley. Let me know when you get home. If you want to talk business, hit me up anytime.”

“Will do, Frederick. Get some rest, okay? Goodnight.” Haley smiled and waved back, watching as he opened the door and headed inside, then slowly pulled away into the night.

It wasn’t until Haley’s taillights disappeared around the corner that Frederick’s flawless, gentle smile faded instantly, as if he’d taken off a mask.

He didn’t head into the apartment building. Instead, he turned and walked straight toward the shadows behind a cluster of tall, lush ornamental plants nearby.

A figure stepped out, a floss dangling from his mouth. It was the same mysterious man who’d met Laylah at Cloudscape.

He leaned against the wall, gave Frederick a quick whistle, his tone as teasing as ever.

“Well, well, Frederick, you really do have some charm, huh? Two days after reconnecting, you’ve already got Haley playing chauffeur for you.

“So, did you manage to get anything out of her? Any idea where Ms. Ross is hiding out in Eastetille?”

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