Chapter 6: You Gave Him Griffin and Me Specials?

Unknown to Dorothy, Griffin had just wheeled Stefan out of the boardroom, with Kai walking alongside them. They caught sight of the scene. Kai was about to intervene, but Stefan gestured for him to stop.

Dorothy and Stefan locked eyes, the silence stretching between them. Dorothy wanted to speak but didn’t know what to say. Why was she suddenly so nervous? Had she crossed a line?

Stefan was the first to look away. Griffin then wheeled him out of sight. Kai's gaze shifted to the employees behind Dorothy.

“What are you all waiting for? Mr. Stefan must not beat you to his office. And before you get there, prepare your resignation letters,” he ordered coldly.

The employees scattered, running to comply. Dorothy bit her lip as Kai approached her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Wow,” he muttered, clearly impressed. “I didn’t know you had that kind of fire in you.”

Dorothy gave him an uncertain look. “Do you think Stefan is mad? I didn’t mean to scold his employees, and I didn’t even know you guys were there,” she mumbled, feeling a pang of regret.

Kai chuckled. “You stood up for your husband, and you think he’d be mad at you?”

“Wouldn’t he? He’s always grumpy, even when someone means well,” Dorothy scoffed.

Kai laughed openly. “You’re something else. Anyway, how’s the tour going? Do you have any questions?”

“Yes,” Dorothy nodded. “Stefan only asked me to get a tour guide. He didn’t tell me what exactly I should do. I don’t want to be that woman who marries a rich man and does nothing. I want to help too.” She pouted slightly.

Kai smiled warmly. “Alright, I’ll talk to Mr. Stefan about it.”

“Thank you!” Dorothy beamed, glancing at her watch. It was lunchtime.

“I heard you and Griffin have lunch at the cafeteria every day. We can all go together,” she suggested.

“Sure,” Kai agreed.

Stefan didn’t join them, so it was just Dorothy, Griffin, and Kai at the cafeteria. A waiter approached their table, balancing a tray of food.

“Mr. Kai and Mr. Griffin, here’s your Tuesday special,” she said, smiling specifically at Kai as she set the plates down.

Kai, however, frowned. “How many people do you see at this table?” he asked. It was only then the waitress noticed Dorothy.

“Oh, forgive me, miss—”

“Mrs. Everest,” Kai interrupted sharply. “Address Mr. Stefan’s wife with respect.”

The waitress’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Everest. What would you like to have?”

“I’ll have the same as them,” Dorothy replied calmly.

The waitress nodded and left. Kai’s face softened.

“Why are you always so intimidating to people?” Dorothy asked, curious. He was always kind and gentle with her but seemed stern with everyone else.

“You’re the boss’s wife. You deserve to feel welcome,” Kai replied with a smile.

Dorothy shook her head. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he never smiled. Her gaze shifted to Griffin, who was quietly eating. He never seemed to engage with anyone except Stefan.

When the waitress returned with Dorothy’s food, she nodded respectfully before leaving. Dorothy took a bite, savoring the flavors, but her thoughts drifted to Stefan. What was he doing right now?

“Why doesn’t Stefan join us for lunch? This is really good,” she asked, directing her question to Griffin. Without looking at her, he replied.

“Mr. Stefan will eat when he pleases.”

Dorothy shrugged, but a thought suddenly struck her. This might be the perfect chance to ask.

“Um, I was wondering—who is Bianca?” As soon as she said the name, the atmosphere shifted. It grew heavier.

Both Kai and Griffin froze. Kai turned to face her, his expression darkening for the first time.

“Where did you hear that name?” His voice was low and serious.

“I…” Dorothy faltered, distracted as Griffin abruptly stopped eating and walked away. Both she and Kai watched him leave.

“What’s with him?” Dorothy asked hesitantly.

Kai turned her chair to face him. “Listen to me,” he said firmly. “Never mention that name again, especially in front of Mr. Stefan.”

Dorothy blinked, her curiosity still burning, but she nodded reluctantly.

“Finish your food. I’ll take you home early today,” Kai said.

“What about Stefan?” she asked.

“He’ll be busy,” Kai replied, standing and leaving.

Dorothy watched him disappear into the building. “Why is everyone so strange?” she muttered to herself. Her thoughts returned to Bianca. Did Stefan love her that much? The idea left her feeling unsettled.

“Excuse me,” she called to the waitress. “Can I get an extra order of this, packed to go?”

“Of course, ma’am. Right away,” the waitress replied.

Dorothy smiled and waited. Within minutes, the food arrived. She returned to the office, noting how employees scrambled back to work as she walked by.

“Looks like the boss’s wife doesn’t tolerate nonsense. Catch her once, and you’re gone,” someone whispered.

“Let’s keep our heads down. I can’t lose this job,” another murmured.

Dorothy smirked, stepping into the elevator. She entered Stefan’s office, where Griffin stood by, as lifeless as ever.

“I noticed you didn’t join us for lunch, so I brought some for you. It’s really good. You should try it. Eating more will help you recover faster,” she said, setting the food on the table.

Stefan’s expression tightened uncomfortably.

“Young Mistress, please take that away,” Griffin instructed.

“Why?” Dorothy asked, confused. Before she could say more, Stefan swept the food off the table, sending it crashing to the floor. Dorothy gasped.

“Why would you do that?” she scolded. “Do you know how grateful people would be to have this food? If you didn’t want it, you could’ve just told Griffin to inform me!” She bent down, gathering the leftovers.

Dorothy stormed out of the office, fuming. “I was only trying to make sure he ate something,” she muttered, glaring at the door.

Kai approached her. “Ready to go home?”

“Yes. I’ll see you in the car,” Dorothy huffed, leaving without another word.

Kai glanced at Stefan’s office, shaking his head before following her.

“Young Mistress,” he said once they were in the car, “I am sorry I flared up earlier when you mentioned Bianca, but I only want the best for Mr. Stefan. That name brings back a lot of memories.”

Dorothy scoffed. “I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at him!”

“May I ask why?” Kai pressed.

“I was trying to be thoughtful. I brought him lunch because it was delicious, but he threw it away. He wasted perfectly good food,” Dorothy replied, unsure whether she was more upset about the effort or the waste.

“You gave him the specials Griffin and I had?” Kai asked carefully.

“Yes. Is something wrong?” Dorothy frowned.

“The food contains sesame seeds. Mr. Stefan is allergic to sesame,” Kai revealed.

Dorothy gasped. “What?”