"Do you really want to drag this to a divorce and make yourself a laughingstock?"
I jerked my head sideways, shaking off her hand.
Chester seized my jaw in a vise grip.
"Apologize to Florence. Now."
"I didn't do anything wrong." Each word dropped like a stone. "I have nothing to apologize for."
"Because you don't know what's good for you!"
The words had barely left his mouth when his phone erupted with vibrations.
The caller ID flashing across the screen was the same number the kidnappers had used.
Chester let out a derisive snort and answered with obvious irritation, putting it on speaker.
"Where's the money? You've got thirty minutes! If we don't get the transfer, we kill the hostage!"
Then a weak, desperate wail tore through the speaker.
"Chester... Chester, save me... they're going to kill me... save your mother..."
It was his mother's voice.
My entire body went rigid. I lifted my eyes to Chester.
But there wasn't a trace of panic on his face. If anything, he looked amused, like he'd just heard a joke.
He tilted his head down and stared at me.
"Well, well, Ella."