The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 361

Southwood Estate.

Silas Sterling returned home after a long day at work to a rare sight—the house was completely dark.

Pulling out his phone, he noticed a text from Martha Gable sent earlier. She mentioned a family emergency and had to rush off, adding that Miss Fairchild wasn't eating at home tonight because she was out with a friend.

A friend?

He frowned, opening iMessage.

The chat, usually cluttered with a string of unread messages from her, was dead silent today. It was eerily quiet.

He ran his tongue over his teeth and dialed Simon Young.

"Find out where she went."

"Mr. Sterling, who?"

Simon froze for a second before his breath hitched. "Miss Fairchild? Right away, I'll check immediately!"

Twenty minutes later, Silas received the report. Vivian had gone to the hospital to see Jonah Granger today, and then hit a bar to drink with Scarlett Sinclair.

"Boss, I think she was just bored. Besides, she's with Ms. Sinclair, so you don't need to worry."

Silas didn't say a word. Worry about her?

He certainly didn't need to do that.

He let out a heavy breath and pushed the car door open to step out.

By the time he finished his shower, it was nearly ten o'clock, and the woman still hadn't returned.

Silas wasn't a man who relied heavily on smoking or drinking, but today, he uncharacteristically poured himself a glass of wine. He stood by the window, his somber gaze fixed on the distant scenery, completely unreadable.

Half an hour passed.

Then another half an hour.

Finally, the sound of tires rolling against the pavement echoed from the entrance. A designated driver pulled the car into the courtyard. Vivian looked like she was in high spirits, even handing the driver a generous twenty-dollar tip.

Grabbing her purse, she walked through the door and headed upstairs.

"Silas?"

She tilted her head, peering toward the dim window, but there wasn't a soul in sight.

Strange. She could have sworn she just saw him standing there.

Vivian shrugged off her coat and turned toward the study.

Pushing the door open, she found the man's tall, relaxed figure seated at his desk, looking as though he were deeply engrossed in his work.

She let out a soft sound of surprise, glancing back toward the master bedroom before looking at him again. "Weren't you just in your room? Why are you in the study now?"

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