At this point, Patriciaâs face was kinda frozen and her expression was a bit off. She never expected Ellinor to spot a hole in her conversation with the waiter, Gavin. âMr. Howard, just take another look.
When your sister was chatting with Gavin, they clearly had some hand to hand contact.â
Ellinor rewound the video by a good ten seconds and played it back in slow motion.
âLook, their hand movements are pretty telling Ms. Howard took something out of her pocket and slipped it into Gavinâs hand on the sly Mr. Howard, do you reckon two total strangers would need to exchange items in secret after a few words of small talk?â
At this point, Ellinorâs tone was laced with sarcasm, but she wasnât over the top. She was simply giving Balfour a taste of his own medicine for his previous coldness towards her Balfour didnât say a word. After watching the two videos Ellinor had pulled up, his expression gradually turned serious.
Then he stood up, looking deeply at his beloved sister, his eyes growing complex.
âPatri, did you know this waiter before?â
Although Patricia was feeling a bit guilty, she put on her best innocent face, fluttering her bright eyes and shaking her head, âIâ¦I didnât know him beforeâ
Balfour asked sternly. âSo, what were you two talking about? What did you sneak him? Tell me the truth!â
Patricia was really spooked by her brotherâs unusual harshness and loud voice. She was extremely nervous and afraid of losing his trust. She knew her brother hated lies more than anything.
Patricia put on a pitiful face and her voice choked up. âIâ¦I was just ordering from the waiter, I didnât say anythingâ¦â
Balfour frowned, clearly unsatisfied with his sisterâs explanation.
Ellinor chuckled at the side, âWhat sort of habit is this, Ms. Howard? Ordering food at the restroom door? Thatâs a bit too unique, huh? And you were at it for five or six minutes? I wonder what you actually ordered:
Patriciaâs face was visibly strained, but she didnât show any signs of panic. She quickly composed herself and answered in an innocent and pitiful tone. âEllinor, could you please stop making fun of me?
I saw you vomiting painfully in the restroom and knew your stomach was upset. So when I saw the waiter outside, I asked him if there was any light and stomach-friendly food, so I could add a few more dishes youâd likeâ
Ellinor laughed it off, raising an eyebrow, âSo, what did you order? I didnât see any new dishes on the table.â
âL..actually didnât order anything. The waiter told us weâd already ordered plenty and advised us not to waste food. So I didnât actually place an orderâ
Ellinor smirked, âOh, so you chatted with the waiter for a few minutes and didnât order a single dish? Mr.
Howard, whatâs your take on this?â
Balfourâs face darkened, his disappointment was evident. He didnât answer Ellinorâs question but sternly asked Patricia, âPatri, what exactly did you hand to the waiter?â