63 Amidst Cold Shoulders, A Helping Hand Calls
Elara winced as she attempted to stand from her chair, a sharp pain shooting through her ankle. The fall had been more severe than she initially thought.
Julian noticed her distress immediately. “Don’t put weight on it,” he instructed, moving
to her side.
Several eyes turned toward them, including Damien’s. His expression remained impassive, his attention quickly returning to his conversation with Bradley Newman.
“I’m fine,” Elara insisted quietly, embarrassed by the attention.
Julian ignored her protest. “You’re clearly not fine. Let me see.”
He knelt beside her chair, gently lifting her ankle to examine it. The area was already swelling visibly.
“That needs ice and elevation,” he said firmly. “I’m going to find the event coordinator and get some medical attention.”
Before she could object further, Julian stood and addressed those at the table. “Please excuse us. Elara needs medical attention for her ankle.”
Vivienne’s lips curved in a small smile as she leaned toward Damien. “How
unfortunate,” she murmured, loud enough for Elara to hear. “Perhaps she should be
more careful.”
Julian’s jaw tightened slightly, but he maintained his professional demeanor. Without waiting for further commentary, he carefully helped Elara to her feet, supporting her weight.
“You don’t have to- Elara began.
“I do,” Julian interrupted softly. “Lean on me.”
Η
As Julian guided her away from the table, Elara caught sight of Damien watching them, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Vivienne whispered something that made him.
turn back to her.
“I can walk with assistance, Elara said to Julian. “You don’t need to make a scene.”
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03 Amidst Cold Shoulders, A Helping Hand Calls
“This isn’t about making a scene,” Julian replied, his voice low and firm. “This is about getting you proper care.”
Several people watched as they made their way across the banquet hall. Elara could feel the weight of their stares, the quiet murmurs that followed them.
Julian found the event coordinator quickly and explained the situation. Within minutes, a small meeting room was cleared for their use, and a call was placed for a doctor.
“You should return to the dinner,” Elara told Julian once she was seated comfortably with her leg elevated on another chair. “It’s an important networking opportunity.”
Julian shook his head. “The most important partnerships are already in motion. I’m staying until the doctor arrives at minimum.”
“People will talk,” she warned.
“People always talk,” he replied with a shrug. “I care more about your wellbeing than their gossip.
The event coordinator returned with ice wrapped in a cloth. “The doctor will be here. in fifteen minutes,” she informed them. “Is there anything else you need?”
“This is perfect, thank you,” Julian said, taking the ice pack.
Once they were alone again, Julian carefully placed the ice on Elara’s swollen ankle.
She winced at the cold.
“Sorry” he murmured. “But it will help with the swelling.”
Elara sighed. “This is embarrassing. I shouldn’t have worn these heels.”
“It wasn’t the heels,” Julian said flatly. “Someone bumped into you rather forcefully.”
Elara frowned. “You noticed that?”
“I was returning to the table when it happened,” he confirmed. “That wasn’t an accident, Elara. That woman deliberately pushed past you.”
Elara thought back to the moment before her fall. She had felt someone brush against her back with unusual force, but she’d been too focused on regaining her balance to see who it was.
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69 Amidst Cold Shoulders, A Holping Hand Calls
“Are you sure?” she asked.
Julian nodded grimly. “Quite sure. One of Vivienne’s friends–the brunette who’s been hovering near her all evening.”
“Lennox,” Elara supplied, suddenly understanding. “She and Vivienne have been friends. since college.”
Julian’s expression darkened. “Well, she should be more careful about assaulting people in public.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Elara said wearily. “Let it go.”
They sat in companionable silence until the doctor arrived. After a thorough examination, he confirmed what they suspected–a moderate sprain that required rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
“No weight on it for at least twenty–four hours, the doctor instructed as he wrapped her ankle with a compression bandage. “And minimal weight for several days after that. I’ll write you a prescription for the pain.”
Once the doctor departed, Julian helped Elara to her feet–or rather, her one good. foot.
“I’m taking you home,” he said firmly.
“But the dinner-
“Is practically over,” he finished for her, “Most of the important conversations have already happened. Besides, I’ve seen enough of Vivienne Dubois’s smug expressions for one evening.
Julian supported her as they made their slow progress through the now–thinning crowd. Several people offered sympathetic glances or inquiries about her condition. Elara responded with gracious smiles and brief reassurances.
Near the exit, they passed Alistair Dubois, who watched them with calculating eyes.
“What a devoted business partner you have, Mrs. Thorne,” he remarked, his tone implying something more. “Most executives wouldn’t be so… hands–on.”
Julian met his gaze evenly. “Most executives understand that taking care of your team is good business, Mr. Dubois. Something worth remembering.”
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63 Amidst Cold Shoulders, A Helping Hand Calls
Without waiting for a response, Julian guided Elara past him and out to the waiting area where he had already arranged for his car.
The ride to Elara’s apartment was quiet. She leaned her head against the window, exhaustion washing over her.
“Thank you,” she said finally, “For everything tonight.”
Julian glanced at her. “No thanks necessary. That’s what friends do.”
When they arrived at her building, Julian insisted on helping her to her door despite. her protests.
“I have some errands to run tonight, but I can cancel them if you need me to stay,” he offered as she unlocked her apartment..
“No, please go,” she insisted. “I’ll be fine. I’ll take some pain medication and rest.”
Julian hesitated. “Call me if you need anything. I mean it, Elara. Anything at all.”
After he left, Elara changed into comfortable clothes and settled onto her couch with her ankle elevated on pillows. The quiet of her apartment enveloped her, a stark contrast to the noise and tension of the evening.
She was just beginning to drift into a light sleep when her phone rang. Groggily, she reached for it, expecting Julian checking on her.
Instead, an unfamiliar male voice greeted her. “Mrs. Thorne? This is Beck Harper.”
Elara frowned, trying to place the name. “Yes?”
“I’m calling about your car,” he explained. “The damage has been taken care of, and it’s ready whenever you’d like to pick it up. Or if you’re busy, I can have someone drive it back to you.”
Elara blinked in confusion. “My car? What damage?”
There was a pause on the other end. “From the incident earlier today. At the intersection of Pine and 5th?”
Elara sat up straighter, wincing as she accidentally jostled her injured ankle. “I’m sorry, but I think there’s been some mistake. My car is in the parking garage at my apartment building. It hasn’t been in any incident.”
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63 Amidst Cold Shoulders, A Helping Hand Calls
Silence greeted her statement, then Beck Harper’s voice returned, now cautious. “This Isn’t Elara Thome’s phone number?”
“It is,” she confirmed. “But my car is fine. At least, it was this morning when I drove to work.”
“I see, Harper replied slowly. “In that case, I think we need to discuss this further, Mrs. Thorne. Someone’s been using your identity.”
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