"Fine! I won't talk so much next time," Erica muttered nervously into the phone before lowering her voice. "But Hayley, where have you been lately?"
"Something came up, so I left the country for a while," Hayley answered smoothly. Even through the call, her voice carried the sharp calmness of someone constantly calculating her next move. "Listen carefully. If Elliot questions you again, don't tell him anything unnecessary. And stop letting him get close to Anastasia."
Erica frowned. "I'm trying! But Anastasia keeps pulling him closer every day. She acts innocent, but she's clearly using every trick she can to keep him wrapped around her claws. I can't fight her alone, Hayley. Come back soon so we can deal with her together."
Hayley's tone immediately hardened. "I won't return for another three months. Until then, you need to stall them. And remember this carefully—if Elliot ever asks about that night again, you say nothing."
A chill crept through Erica's body.
