“Ms. Mercer, I’m in need of a cook. I’ll send you my address-let me know when you’re available, but please give me a heads-up before you arrive.”

Michelle laughed. “I’m free right now! Are you home? I can come over right away.”

“Perfect. Come on over.”

After hanging up, Michelle turned to Stephen. “Mr. Jacobson, Ms. Yates agreed.”

“Good,” Stephen replied. “She often forgets to eat when she’s busy. Since her new place is close to the office, you’ll need to deliver lunch to her during weekdays. I’ll cover your salary, but if she offers to pay, don’t refuse. And make sure she doesn’t know I arranged this.”

Upon hearing that she’d be earning double, Michelle’s face brightened. She nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, Mr. Jacobson. You can count on me—I’ll take excellent care of Ms. Yates.”

…

After New Year’s, Stephen immersed himself in work.

He couldn’t afford a single moment of downtime because as soon as he stopped, Tessa’s face would flood his thoughts.

In the CEO’s office, Stephen sat at his desk, focused on typing away.

Quentin sat on the couch, eyeing him with a conflicted expression. “Steve, there’s something I’m not sure I should say.”

Stephen didn’t look up. “Then, don’t,” he replied sharply.

Quentin hesitated for a moment before pressing on. “It’s about Tessa. Are you sure you don’t want to hear it?”

Stephen paused his typing, his gaze lifting from the screen. “What is it?”

Quentin thought to himself, “Of course he cares. When it comes to Tessa, he won’t be able to stay indifferent.”

Still, he knew Stephen wouldn’t take the news well.

Clearing his throat, Quentin continued, “Naomi’s been talking about setting Tessa up with some college guys recently…”

He glanced at Stephen, and as expected, Stephen’s expression darkened immediately.

Stephen gritted his teeth, his face clouding with anger. “Some college guys?”

“Yeah.” Quentin swallowed hard as he tried to phrase it as delicately as possible.

Stephen’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze becoming cold and piercing. “What college guys?”

“Well, there are quite a few, actually. There’s a six feet two inches guy with an eight-pack, an athlete who’s six feet three inches, and then, well, there’@everything-from innocent, sweet types to wild, rugged ones… quite the variety, really…”

Stephen’s expression darkened further, and Quentin quickly fell silent.

The room felt suffocating, thick with silence.

Quentin fidgeted nervously, taking a sip of water. “You know how Naomi is-always stirring things up. Don’t worry, I already gave her a piece of my mind.”

That, of course, wasn’t the truth.

When Naomi had eagerly presented her list of “prime candidates”,

Quentin had felt a surge of irritation In a moment of frustration, he had snapped at her, only for her to

retaliate with a sharp pinch. That spot still stung.

“What did she say?” Stephen asked, his voice icy.

Quentin blinked in confusion. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“Naomi’s been trying to set Tessa up with these guys, right? So what did Tessa say about it?”

Quentin’s expression shifted, a flicker of unease crossing his face. After a moment’s hesitation, he spoke carefully, “Do… you really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“Well, don’t be angry when I tell you.” He added nervously, “Naomi said that on New Year’s Eve, Tessa gave her approval.”

“Approval for what?”

Before Quentin could stop himself, the words spilled out. “She agreed to let Naomi introduce her to a man.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a loud crash echoed through the room.

The ceramic cup on Stephen’s desk toppled to the floor.

Fortunately, the office floor was carpeted, so the cup didn’t shatter.