Over on the other end of the line, Elliot fell into silence.

Chad handed the phone over to Avery awkwardly, and she set it on the table after putting it on speaker.

"Hello, Mr. Foster."

Mike tried to suppress his laughter at the formal way in which Avery addressed Elliot, while Chad did not say a word.

On the other end, Elliot greeted her with a more formal tone, "Hello, Miss. Tate."

Avery was stunned.

Mike picked up his glass to take a sip of water; Chad did the same but realized his