Chapter 75

At breakfast the next morning, Avery and Elliot sat at the dining table in silence. She was having eggs
and toast, while he was eating cereal. “Thanks for getting my phone back last night,” Avery said,
shattering the silence between them. “I’m sorry about my mother,” Elliot said, finally expressing the
apology that had been bothering him. Avery’s cheeks flushed as she said, “You weren’t the one who hit
me. Why are you apologizing?”
“She shouldn’t have slapped your face,” Elliot said in a stiff voice. “If anyone touched my face, I would,”
Before he could finish his sentence, Avery lifted her hand and gently caressed his cheek.
His skin was surprisingly smooth and felt good against her fingers. Elliot’s eyes were smoldering as his
Adam’s apple rolled in his throat, while his hand trembled slightly around his glass of milk.
“Okay, we’re even,” Avery said as she withdrew her hand and lowered her head to have a sip of her
tea. Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest, and the skin on the fingers that touched his cheek felt
like they were on fire.
She hurriedly finished her breakfast and returned to her room.
The bruise on her face was lighter than the day before, and it did not hurt as much.
Avery put on a light layer of makeup to cover up the bruise.

She could no longer stay cooped up in the house.
The office had called her multiple times throughout the week, and Trust Capital was sending inquiries
every other day.
She emerged from the room after she got dressed. Elliot had already left.
“Are you going to the office, Madam? Let me get the driver,” Mrs. Cooper said then went off to call for
the driver.
Avery was waiting at the front door when her phone rang.
“Do you have time to spare today, Miss Tate?” Ben’s voice came through the phone speaker. “I have a
favor to ask.”
“What is it?” Avery asked sounding puzzled. “Are you sure I could help?”



“I’m sure,” Ben answered assuredly. “Are you at home? I’ll come pick you up. We can talk more when
we meet.”
“Okay,” Avery responded hesitantly. Ben arrived at the gates of the mansion half an hour later.
Apart from the color, which was white instead of black, he had the exact same car model as Elliot.
“Aren’t you going to the office today, Mr. Schaffer?” Avery asked as she hopped into the passenger
seat and fastened her seat belt.
“I don’t need to clock in at the office,” Ben grinned. “We need your help picking out a present.”
“What do you mean by “we”? Who else are we talking about?”
“The other managers at the office. Elliot’s birthday is coming up. We need to get him something, but
we’re not sure what to buy. That’s where you come in.”
“When’s his birthday?” Avery asked bashfully.
“Do you not care about your husband at all?” Ben chuckled as he felt some pity for Elliot.
Chelsea worshiped him like a god while Avery treated him like garbage.
Even so, he willingly chose to be garbage.
Avery’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment. She simply came up with an excuse and said, “I’m
pretty busy.”
“Of course, you are. Your company’s going through a rough patch, and you’re working on your thesis.
I’m sure you’re even busier than Elliot,” Ben said. “You’re making fun of me,” Avery said as she noticed
the teasing tone in his voice, but she was not angered by it. “I don’t know what he likes. I’m afraid I
won’t be of much help.”
“Of course, you can help,” Ben said as he drove the car onto the freeway. “Let’s head to the mall.” It
was not long before the car came to a halt in front of the city’s largest shopping mall.
There was not much of a crowd on a weekday morning.
Avery and Ben walked into the department store and went straight to the jewelry section on the first
floor.
Avery raised her brows in confusion and asked, “Does he like jewelry? I’ve never seen him wear any…”
Was jewelry not a more suitable gift for women?



Ben had no choice but to be honest with her.
“Elliot has never accepted any gifts from us,” he said. “But now that he has you, you can accept a gift
from us on his behalf.”


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