LOGINSorry for not upfated yesterday, I pinched my finger and went to hospital.
Jenny POVOliver set the document envelope down on the marble coffee table and stepped back.“Ma’am, the boss told me to hand this to you personally.” Oliver kept his head lowered, his eyes fixed on the tips of his shoes. “The restaurant surveillance and supplier records are all inside.”“Where’s Alex?”“He’s still at the hospital.”I opened the envelope and pulled out the documents.The report was thorough. The kitchen footage showed the chef handling my entrée with gloves on the entire time, and the prep station was cleaned before every dish. The supplier records listed only lemons and oranges delivered that day—no mango anywhere.I flipped through the surveillance stills one by one. The chef’s movements were clean and efficient, the labels on every seasoning bottle clear.So the restaurant was in the clear.I set the report aside and leaned back against the couch. If the allergen wasn’t in the food, then it had to be somewhere else.At that banquet, aside from the main course, the
Jemny's POVAlex froze mid grip on his phone, his gaze fixed firmly on me. He stopped scrolling, a slow rise falling in his throat.I stepped forward in high heels, the sharp click against the marble floor clear in the quiet living room. I came to a stop directly in front of him, looking down. He tilted his head back, his gaze drifting up along the line of my skirt, lingering on my cinched waist before settling at my collar.“Went shopping?” His voice dropped, edged with a low husky tone.“I bought new clothes.” I bent down, bracing both hands on the armrests of the sofa, closing the distance between us.The soft scent of my new woody perfume spread through the air. I saw his nostrils flare. He set his phone aside, palms pressing flat at his sides. I followed every lesson Rita had taught me, holding his gaze without speaking. A strand of loose hair fell forward, brushing lightly against his cheek.He lifted a hand, the back of his finger brushing my cheek. His movement slowed, fingert
Jenny POV Talking to Rita was like letting out all the stale air that had been stuck in my chest for years. I hadn’t had anyone to talk to for so long. Once Rita had fully broken down my situation for me, we went through the social media account Anna had sent just to provoke me. The more I looked, the colder my blood ran. The account was even a small influencer, with quite a few followers. It was filled with posts, some dating all the way back to before Alex and I got married. And every single one painted Anna as this beautiful, accomplished woman who loved deeply but could not have the one she wanted—someone who was waiting patiently, hurting silently, hoping her beloved would come back to her. Between the lines, there was only hidden longing, sorrow, waiting, and bitterness. “Waiting for someone who would never come back.” “We met first, why left?” “I don’t blame you. I just blame myself for not being good enough.” Rita and I scrolled down, post after post, a
“Sunlit Legal’s actually been around for almost ten years,” Rita said, sounding pretty casual. “It used to be solid—steady growth, good reputation. But the last two owners? Neither of them had much of a moral compass. Over time, the firm’s name just got dragged through the mud.”She took a sip of her coffee before continuing, like this was nothing serious.“Still, the numbers aren’t bad. They’ve got plenty of cases, and they make good money, so they’ve always had a place in the industry. That’s why Doris freaked out the second she heard you were taking over. From an investment point of view, your husband actually made a smart call.”I didn’t say anything.“Only problem is,” she went on, “most of the lawyers there don’t have much of a bottom line. They’re aggressive, they play dirty, and ethics? Pretty much nonexistent. But you’re different.” She glanced at me. “And you’ve got Alex backing you. What are you even worried about? People like that only care about money. No way they’d dare
I turned my head and saw a young man, maybe twenty, walking in. He had blond hair, blue eyes, and that clean, effortless look—light cotton shirt, tailored casual pants, everything about him neat and fresh, carrying the easy brightness of youth.“Lucas?” Rita stood up in surprise. “What are you doing here? And what did you mean by that?” Then she turned to me. “This is Lucas, a junior from our department. After I left school, Professor Reid took him on.”“Jenny, it’s really nice to meet you. I’ve always admired you.” Lucas looked at me, his eyes clear and bright, and reached out his hand first.I wasn’t in the best mood, but I still managed a faint smile and shook his hand. His palm was warm and dry. He let go almost immediately, then brushed his hand lightly against his pants, as if out of habit.He turned to Rita right away, quick to explain, as though worried we might think he had been eavesdropping on purpose. “I was here for something and just happened to pass by. I heard Miss Dor
Jenny POV“Who are you?” I frowned, not recognizing that sharp, mean-spirited face at all.The question clearly hit a nerve. Her voice shot up instantly. “You don’t remember me? Jenny, you really know how to play dumb.”I paused, studying the stubborn arrogance on her face, and finally dug up a faint memory.Before I could say anything, she had already decided I was putting on an act. Crossing her arms, she turned to Rita, her tone dripping with provocation. “You’re something else. Fighting me tooth and nail in the industry, and then privately having dinner with someone like her—a dropout who married up.”My brows knit together. Rita’s expression darkened too, and just as she was about to speak, the woman cut her off.“What, am I wrong?” she sneered, her voice perfectly pitched so nearby tables could hear. “Back then, she acted so high and mighty, turning down one rich guy after another, saying she was going to make a name for herself in law. I thought she was different. Turns out thos







