After ten grueling floors, Troy was gasping for air, his shirt soaked with sweat.
It had taken him nearly half an hour to reach the top, and he immediately collapsed next to the wheelchair, panting heavily.
Mavis and Dylan waited patiently at the apartment door on the tenth floor.
Dylan clicked his tongue, shaking his head.
"Nathaniel, you're so cruel even to your own men. Couldn't you have walked a bit or let Troy support you?"
He turned to Troy and asked, "I remember last time we came back, you and Nathaniel were already at the door. Why weren't you this sweaty back then?"
Troy lied, "Maybe… I'm just a bit out of shape lately. I need to build up my strength."
Mavis felt sorry for Troy and handed him a glass of water.
"Here, drink this. I've put Dylan in the next apartment. You can shower there later. Stay for dinner if you'd like. Thank you."
She had hoped Nathaniel would give up the act and walk, but he was committed to the charade.
If she had not learned the truth at the National Investigation Bureau, she might have continued to be fooled by his performance.
Troy gulped down the water gratefully and chimed in, "Thank you, Mrs. Nicholls. You're so kind."
Mavis smiled and nodded before heading inside.
Left alone, Troy pleaded with Nathaniel, "Mr. Nicholls, please have mercy. Can we install an elevator soon? I can't keep carrying you up and down every day."
Nathaniel handed him a wet wipe. "Alright."
Troy was relieved to hear that promise, wiping his sweat with the wet wipe.
Dinner was a quiet affair, with only the sound of cutlery breaking the silence.
Troy wolfed down his food, while the others seemed lost in thought, eating absent-mindedly.
After dinner, Troy went with Dylan to the unit next door.
Once Mavis cleared the table, Nathaniel wheeled over to help clean the surface.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Wait, She’s a Billionaire (Sheena Lawson)
The novel is too abusive it spoils the joy of reading it. I hate the punishment part between sheena and Eliot....