In order not to arouse suspicion and ruin tonight’s plan, I got dressed and reported to work as usual.
However, just as I was entering the office, an anxious-looking Sally happened to be on her way out.
“Debra, thank God you’re here!”
Seeing me, Sally’s eyes lit up as though she had seen her savior.
“Riley just arrived!”
“Really? What’s she doing here?”
I cocked my head to the side, finding the news a little strange.
Since the day I started working here, Riley had never gone to the mayor’s office. She only ever stayed at home to take care of Luca.
“I don’t know, but that’s not the point. Adam and Janiya are in his office. What if Riley bumps into them? Oh, God! It’ll be so awkward!
Then Adam will vent his anger on us for sure!”
Sally was so anxious that she wrung her hands listlessly. “You’re close to Riley, right? Why don’t you stop her?”
I nodded seriously.
Sally was right. If an argument broke out between Janiya and Riley,
Adam would definitely fight with Riley as soon as he got back home— maybe he’d even go so far as to beat her up again.
“Okay, I’ll talk to her now.”
After getting directions from Sally, I ran to see Riley.
“Good morning, Debra.” Riley stood at the door of the meeting room and greeted me with a bright smile.
She was dressed simply today, wearing just a plain shirt over a pair of jeans. Contrary to her usual getup, she wasn’t wearing any jewelry. At first glance, she looked like a different person.
But she seemed energetic and in good spirits, beaming at me happily.
“Good morning, Riley,” I responded cautiously.
“Are you here to see
Adam?”
Riley nodded. “Yes, I need to talk to him.”
She looked very calm, and there was fierce determination in her beautiful eyes, as though she had made up her mind about something big.
After weighing the situation for a moment, I decided against telling
