Chapter 697

Eloise's phone rang. She didn't need to look to know who it was. Her face remained expressionless as she watched a woman pace nervously across the street. Then, she slowly answered the call.

The moment she pressed the button, her demeanor changed. She wailed anxiously, "Honey! My cards are gone! What should I do? What should I do?!" The other end of the line was silent.

Even Arianna, who was privy to the plan, secretly admired her mother's quick transformation. Eloise truly deserved the title of best actress. Her expression and voice perfectly conveyed anxiety and worry. No one would suspect a thing.

"How did you lose your cards? Slow down and tell me. Which cards are missing?"

"I don't know! I lost all my cards and my wallet! It's all gone! I know I had them. How did they disappear?!" Eloise's voice, though she sat motionless, conveyed panic and a hint of grievance.

Joseph, hearing her distress, held back a question he'd been about to ask.

"Don't worry, retrace your steps. You're not usually careless; I'm sure you can find them. Did they fall in the car? Where were you?"

"I don't think they're in the car. I didn't have the driver take me today. I—I don't know what's going on. Maybe they fell in the restroom, or someone stole them while I was shopping?" Her voice trembled, as if she were on the verge of tears.

"It's okay. I'm worried someone might try to use them. I'll freeze all your supplementary cards. Don't worry; even if stolen, they can't be used. It's just a hassle to report the loss and reapply."

Joseph completely fell for her deception. He sighed. "Thank goodness the loss isn't significant. How can you be so careless? Get new ones. If you lose them, just report the lost cards. Why did you freeze my supplementary cards?"

"How would I know how many cards I lost? I don't remember all the numbers! Besides, it's to protect our money. What's wrong? Need money right now?" Her rhetorical question sent him into a fluster. He stammered, unable to answer.

"N-No, I don't need money now. It's just… it's nothing. I'm not in a good mood. I don't feel like talking. I'll hang up!"

He hung up without waiting for a response.

Arianna again praised her mother's acting. Everything had gone flawlessly. Joseph hadn't questioned Eloise; he was speechless.

Looking across the street, Arianna guessed Joseph had called Elizabeth to tell her about the cards and that she couldn't buy anything. Eloise could easily have purchases sent home and paid later. But Elizabeth, a nameless mistress, couldn't. She knew better than to risk it. One never knew when these wealthy men might tire of their mistresses.

Elizabeth angrily stormed out of the store, frustrated that her cards were declined.

Watching Elizabeth's frantic retreat, Arianna felt relieved. Eloise's mood brightened. "Ari, let's get you something."

"Mom, weren't you going home?" Arianna asked knowingly.

"Not now!" Eloise grinned, basking in her victory.