Chapter 213


    “Chill out, Xaviera, I’m totally on top of thepany stuff,” Cecilia blurted out, her voice shooting up a


    few decibels, “I’ll have a word with Hogan and guarantee to nip this issue in the bud before the year’s


    out, how about that?”


    My brows knotted as my gazended on Cecilia’s face, and just then I caught that smug sparkle in her


    almond eyes.


    It was fleeting.


    And in that sh, a wave of restrained nausea surged up inside me.


    It was like a game of poker. Cecilia knew full well that the moment she offered to help persuade Hogan


    for thepany, I wouldn’t be able to turn her down.


    As for me, even though I really hated this kind of bargaining, it was still a pretty sweet deal if looking at


    the bigger picture.


    Of course, the premise was that Cecilia genuinely wanted to help.


    With that thought, I toned down my voice a bit and said, “Mr. Zade has always been one to keep work


    and personal life separate. Wouldn’t it be a bit off to bother Director Irwin with this?”


    I was throwing her words from yesterday back at her.


    Cecilia must have caught the subtext because her smile stiffened before she obediently replied,


    “Xaviera, if you can find time in your busy schedule to teach me how to make soup, then it’s no biggie


    for me to persuade Hogan. Plus, you know how he is – all bark and no bite.”


    All bark and no bite.


    I chewed over the phrase silently, and helplessly curled the corners of my mouth.


    I mean, after dealing with Hogan for so long, I’d only ever witnessed his bite, and never have I seen the


    mythical soft heart of his.


    His soft side was probably reserved for Cecilia alone.


    Today, with Cecilia bringing Sibyl along, they were clearly here to cash in oh some old favor. Seeing


    their determination, they’d likely hassle Jason if they didn’t get their way.


    After a brief ponder, I replied more amicably, “I’ve almost wrapped up today’s work, and I might be free


    later.”


    At this, Cecilia beamed, and sped her hands in front of her chest with glee. “You’re the best,


    Xaviera. Alright, I’ll head to the supermarketter. Oh, what ingredients do we need for the soup?”


    At the mention of “crucian carp soup,” I couldn’t help but clench my palms, then responded, “I’ll send


    you the list of ingredientster.”


    Chapter 213


    Cecilia seemed to take a chill pill, and her demeanor became much more rxed. She blinked those


    pretty almond eyes and tentatively asked, “So, are we doing this at your ce or mine?”


    Her question caught me off guard.


    Seems like she was all–in for a bowl of soup.


    If she were a bit more observant, she should have guessed that my ce was once shared with her


    current squeeze.


    Not interested in satisfying her curiosity, I answered, “Let’s go to your ce.”


    Cecilia’s eyes curved into a smile, “Okay, I’ll head back first and wait for you, Xaviera.”


    When quitting time rolled around, I drove back to my familiar digs and stood in the familiar elevator,


    stretching out my hand to silently press for Cecilia’s floor.


    Her apartment number was perpendicr to mine.


    Even the door locks of us were of the same brand.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    For some reason, my mood started to getplicated.


    After I rang the doorbell, the door quickly opened. Cecilia, donning a tender pink apron, greeted me


    with a politeness that was almost over the top.


    I stood mechanically at the door, stepping into the apartment only to freeze in my tracks.


    The interior wasn’t decked out in pink tones but the familiar, chic minimalism.