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04 A Generous Gesture and on Unsettling Dobt
64 A Generous Gesture and an Unsettling Debt
Elara stared at her phone, mind racing as she processed Beck Harper’s words.
“Someone’s been using my identity?” she repeated, shifting on the couch to better elevate her throbbing ankle.
“It appears so,” Beck replied. “The woman who brought in the car matched your description perfectly. She had your ID and insurance information.”
Elara’s stomach knotted. “What kind of car was it?”
“A silver Audi A6, license plate TRH–4389.”
Her breath caught. That was definitely her car. “That is my car. But I haven’t driven it since this morning when I arrived at work. It should be in the Thorne Industries. parking garage.”
“I see.” Beck’s tone shifted from suspicious to concerned. “Mrs. Thorne, I’ll look into this situation immediately. In the meantime, would you like me to have someone deliver your car to you?”
Elara glanced down at her bandaged ankle. She wouldn’t be driving anywhere tonight regardless.
No, thank you. I’m actually dealing with an injury at the moment. I’ll arrange to have someone pick it up tomorrow.”
After exchanging a few more details, Elara ended the call and immediately dialed
Julian.
“Everything okay?” he answered on the second ring.
“Not exactly,” Elara explained the situation quickly. “Would you mind checking if my car is still at Thorne Industries? I’d go myself, but with this ankle…”
“I’m on my way there now,” Julian said decisively.
While waiting for Julian’s call back, Elara tried to make sense of the situation. Who would take her car? And why? The throbbing in her ankle intensified as her anxiety
grew.
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64 A Generous Gesture and an Unsettling Debt
Twenty minutes later, her phone rang again.
“Your car isn’t here,” Julian confirmed. “Security footage shows Damien took your keys from your desk around three this afternoon.”
Elara closed her eyes. Of course it was Damien.
“Julian, I hate to ask for another favor, but could you possibly retrieve my car from the repair shop tomorrow?”
“Consider it done,” he replied without hesitation. “Get some rest, Elara.”
Sleep came fitfully that night, her mind cycling between her injured ankle, her missing car, and Damien’s inexplicable behavior.
The next morning, Elara’s phone rang just as she finished her coffee. Cora’s name flashed on the screen.
“Mom?” Cora’s voice was uncharacteristically concerned. “Dad said you hurt your ankle. Are you okay?”
Elara’s heart softened. Despite everything, these moments with her daughter were precious.
“I’m fine, sweetheart. Just a sprain. I need to rest it for a few days.”
“Are you at home? Can I come see you?”
Elara hesitated. “I’m staying at my apartment for now. It’s easier to manage with the injury.”
“But Dad and I could help you,” Cora protested.
“That’s sweet, but I’m managing fine,” Elara kept her tone gentle but firm. “I have Julian helping me with a few things.”
A brief silence followed. “Julian? From your work?”
“Yes, he’s been very kind.”
“Oh.” Cora’s voice cooled slightly. “Dad said you don’t work at his company anymore.”
Elara hadn’t expected Damien to inform their daughter so quickly. “That’s right. I’m working on some exciting Al projects with Julian now.”
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64 A Generous Gesture and an Unsettling Dobt
“But why did you leave Dad’s company?”
“It was time for a change,” Elara said carefully. “I’m doing work I’m really passionatel
about now.”
Cora was quiet for another moment. “Will I see you this weekend?”
“Of course. We’ll have our regular Saturday together.”
After saying goodbye to Cora, Elara hobbled to her kitchen for more coffee. Her phone rang again almost immediately.
“Elara,” Damien’s cool voice greeted her. “Cora tells me you’ve injured your ankle.
“Yes,” she replied simply, unsure why he was calling.
“When did this happen?”
“Last night at the Dubois Foundation dinner. I fell.”
A
pause. “I know. I saw it happen.”
Of course he had. And he’d done nothing.
“Why did you take my car yesterday?” Elara asked, changing the subject.
“It needed repairs. The check engine light came on. I noticed when I returned from lunch.”
His casual explanation stunned her. “You could have told me.”
“You were in meetings all afternoon.”
Elara bit back a retort about text messages existing for exactly these situations. “Well, thank you, I suppose. Julian is picking it up for me today.”
I see. Damien’s tone remained neutral. “Cora mentioned you’re no longer working for
Thorne Industries.”
“That’s right.”
“You’re with Croft now? At his AI startup?”
“Yes. Somewhere I actually like working.” She couldn’t keep the edge from her voice.
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64 A Generous Gesture and an Unsettling Dobt
Another pause. “I see. Goodbye, Elara.”
The call ended as abruptly as it had begun.
Later that evening, Julian arrived carrying a bag of takeout in one hand and her car keys in the other.
“Your chariot awaits, m’lady, he announced with a mock bow. “I parked it in your designated spot.”
“Thank you le
Elara gratefully. “How much do I owe for the repairs?”
Julian shrugged as he unpacked containers of Thai food. “They didn’t charge me anything. Said it was already taken care of.”
Elara frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Apparently the charges were paid for yesterday. The mechanic recognized your name and just handed over the keys.”
“That’s odd. Damien didn’t mention paying for repairs.”
Julian hesitated. “I got the impression it wasn’t Damien who paid.”
“Then who?”
“When I mentioned I was picking it up for Elara Thorne, the guy said, ‘Oh, Mr. Harper already settled everything. Does that name mean anything to you?”
Elara’s chopsticks froze halfway to her mouth. “Beck Harper? The man who called me last night?”
“Must be,” Julian nodded. “Anyway, your car is fixed and running perfectly. Now, before
you
dive into this assignment,” he tapped a folder he’d placed on her coffee table, “eat some noodles.”
After dinner, Julian briefed her on an academic project they were collaborating on with a local university. Despite her best efforts to focus, Elara’s mind kept returning to Beck Harper’s unexpected generosity.
“I’m going to need you to review those journal articles by next week,” Julian concluded. “Can you manage with your ankle?”
“Of course,” Elara nodded. “Reading isn’t affected by ankle injuries.”
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64 A Generous Gosture and an Unsettling Dabl
Once Julian left, Elara reached for her phone. She needed to clear this debt.
immediately. The last thing she wanted was to owe favors to strangers, especially ones. connected to Thorne Industries.
She dialed the number from last night. Beck Harper answered on the third ring.
“Mrs. Thorne,” he greeted her. “I’m glad you called. I wanted to check how you’re doing.”
“Mr. Harper,” Elara replied firmly. “Did you cover the repair cost for my car? If so, how much was it? I’ll transfer the money to you right away”
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