“If you agree, let’s go back to the office,” Benjamin’s gaze deepened. “I’m not used to it when you’re not around.”
Janie pressed her lips together and nodded, “Alright.”
Benjamin reached out his arm and gently pulled her closer, planting a light kiss on her cheek.
“Go inside, I’ll be watching you.”
Janie turned around, locked the door, and entered the apartment.
With lowered eyes, she reluctantly closed the door in front of Benjamin.
Three seconds later, she heard the resolute sound of his footsteps fading away.
Quietly, she opened the door again, watching his cold and upright figure take confident strides toward the elevator.
Just as he turned and pressed the floor button, she closed the door.
Leaning against the door panel, her heart pounded “Thump, thump.”
Life has a way of playing tricks on people.
Yesterday afternoon, she was in Falmouth, leaning against the door panel just like before, but this time her heart was being ripped apart.
Indeed, if you hold on during the darkest moments, hope and dawn will eventually come.
The next day, Nightfall Cafe.
Abel escorted Emmeline across the road, watching her open the glass door and step inside before he turned the Rolls-Royce around and drove away.
Doris had already arrived and was engaged in conversation with Sam at the coffee counter.
Four newly hired waitstaff were busy cleaning.
Originally, according to Emmeline’s plan, they only needed two waitstaff.
One for the second floor and one for the first floor, and she could manage on her own at other times.
But Abel was afraid that his precious wife would be overwhelmed with too few hands, so he immediately put four people on duty.
The salaries and insurance benefits for all four of them were covered by the Ryker Group.
Surprisingly, Adelmar didn’t manage to snatch it away from him.
Upon seeing Doris, Emmeline was delighted and pulled her aside to take a look around, smiling as she asked, “Are you okay now?”
“I just had a sore throat,” Doris replied. “Nothing wrong with the rest of me.”
“Well, it looks like your throat is better now,” Emmeline smiled, knowing it was thanks to Waylon’s efforts.
“Thanks to Mr. Adelmar’s medicine,” Doris chuckled. “Fifteen thousand well spent.”
Emmeline chimed in, “You know, I almost forgot. Waylon prepared the medicine for you, and you paid him fifteen thousand, right? Does he need that fifteen thousand?”
Doris’s mouth fell open, and she raised her hand to cover it, but it was too late to hide the truth.
The words were out.
“I’ll give him a call and get to the bottom of this!” Emmeline’s expression turned grim as she reached for her phone, ready to dial her senior brother.
“Emma,” Doris pressed her hand down, stopping her. “No, please don’t call. Things aren’t what you think they are.”
“What kind of thing is that?” Emmeline frowned. “If Waylon is involved in such disgraceful actions, I’ll make sure he regrets it!”
“It’s not like that!” Doris insisted. “Mr. Adelmar was just trying to annoy my older sister, so he did that.”
Emmeline didn’t understand, so Doris had to explain the situation to her again.
“Mr. Adelmar was going to give it for free. But my sister made some casual remarks, and that’s when Mr. Adelmar took offense.”
“Well, that’s still not acceptable,” Emmeline said. “A single pill that can be made in two minutes, and he dares to ask for fifteen thousand from you? He’s disrespecting me! I’ll make sure he gives it back to you!”
“Forget about it, please,” Doris pleaded urgently. “If you tell Mr. Adelmar about it, he’ll think I went behind his back to complain. That would be even more embarrassing for me.”
Emmeline thought for a moment and decided to let the matter rest for now.
But she made a mental note of this debt to Waylon. When the time was right, she would talk to him about it.
Customers started coming in, and Doris went upstairs to attend to them.
Emmeline sat downstairs, sipping her coffee.
As she looked up, the glass door opened, and Janie walked in with light footsteps and a gentle smile.
Today, she was wearing a white professional shirt with a beige high-waisted pencil skirt.
It was both professional and stylish, and she looked stunning.
Emmeline couldn’t help but admire Janie’s fashion sense. Her taste in clothing was truly remarkable.
“Janie,” Emmeline exclaimed with delight. “You’re back!”
“Yeah,” Janie smiled. “I came back yesterday but didn’t get a chance to tell you. I’m here now to report in.”
“You look really good today,” Emmeline said, grabbing her hand. “Did you patch things up with Ben?”
Janie nodded, blushing slightly. “I went back to the secretary’s office again. Mr. Benjamin said he wasn’t used to it when I’m not around.”
“Haha,” Emmeline chuckled softly. “Office romance starting, huh?”
“Who said that?” Janie pouted playfully. “It’s just work!”
“Who are you trying to fool?” Emmeline pointed at her blushing face. “Look at you, all flushed.”
