PROTECTING ELI AND MAURICE

ARMAND'S POV

Eli's phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen, frowning. "Salome?" he muttered under his breath as he answered the call, surprise evident in his tone. "Hello?"

I watched his expression shift from confusion to shock. His face froze, eyes widening in disbelief. Then, without a word, the phone slipped from his hand and clattered onto the floor.

"Eli?" I stood up, heart pounding. He did not respond, just stared at me like he had seen a ghost. I rushed over, scooped up the phone, and pressed it to my ear.

"Salome?" I said my voice tight with concern.

"Chairman Armand," Salome's voice trembled. "Pa passed away last night. I am sorry it was such a shock that we forgot to call Eli. We are currently at home with Ma. Please bring Eli over."