Chapter 53


    Of course, I wouldn''t mind receiving more money.


    Before I could finish my sentence, a notification popped up on my phone. Bruce had transferred another twenty thousand dors to me.


    "You''re too kind, Mr. Harold. If you ever need..." I began.


    "Ms. Fisher, you should consider going into the film industry," Bruce interrupted me, "You''re quite a good actor.”


    My voice got caught in my throat. I thought I had put on a wless show, so how did Bruce see through it?


    “You knew to omit the herbs from the mushroom soup. But why didn''t you change the way you prepared the fish?" Bruce questioned


    I had a specific way of cutting the fish, but I hadn''t expected Bruce to remember.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    The next day at work, Cindy brought me breakfast and praised me, "You''re the best, Nance. Mrs. Harold invited me to a floral arrangement session


    tonight. I''m so happy."


    I expected as much. I guessed Bruce''s generous reward of twenty thousand dors was also due to this.


    I reminded her, "Mrs. Harold''s favorite is Damask rose.”


    Cindy nodded and thanked me. "I''ll go prepare now.”


    Look at that. As long as the goals are aligned, an ex-wife and a current girlfriend could still get along as friends.


    But Caroline didn''t like where things were going. "Maybe I''m being petty. But if it were me. I wouldn''t be so generous.”


    I rolled my eyes at her. "Who was the one who said reputation and self-respect mean nothing in the face of materialistic wealth."


    Caroline pulled me into her embrace. "Take it slow, Nance. Go on dates, and if you don''t like them, find some friends with benefits instead."


    I sighed at Caroline''s sex-crazed mind.


    But not long after, I received a text from Dous. "Are you free tonight? A good detective movie just came out in the cinema. Want to watch it


    together?"


    I wasn''t very interested. But thinking of Caroline''s words, I changed my mind. I didn''t want her to think that I was sacrificing my dignity for the studio.


    So I asked Dous, "What time?"


    Dous immediately sent a voice message. "8:00 pm. I''lle pick you up."


    His cheerful tone was starkly different from the bleak winter outside. I calmly agreed to the invitation as I looked at the bare branches outside the


    window.


    Just as it was time to leave work,


    Caroline ? dragged me into the lift one


    insisted ? on having a drink withme.


    hurriedly stopped her. ‘Sorry,4 have


    ns tonight."


    Caroline was surprised. "Who is it? Mr. Irvin?"


    I nodded and Caroline visibly rxed. "Well done, Nance. Also, don''t forget to put on protection.”


    As soon as she finished speaking, I


    heard a I gasp behind me. I turned:


    around-and saw Cindy covering her


    mouth in embarrassment. It was


    noreval for a naive girl like he? to be


    startled.


    -


    The three of us got off the lift. each with our own thoughts. Coincidentally, Dous was already waiting downstairs.


    The winter cold in Joddesdon and Saza was freezing. Dous was only wearing a simple jacket, paired with a ck turtle-necked sweater. He looked


    elegant but cold.


    At the same time, he was rubbing his hands together for warmth. It was quiteedic.


    "Isn''t that Mr. Irvin?" Cindy''s eyes sparkled and she eximed, "So, he’s your date tonight.”


    Dous héard themotion and.


    quickly walked towardus. He =<


    nced at me and said worriedly,


    ‘It''s getting colder. Are you going to


    be.dkay with so little clothing?’


    It''s fine," I observed Dous''s red nose from the cold. "Have you been waiting?”


    "Not really. I just arrived.” Dous smiled kindly.


    Cindy giggled at his words, "You''re so considerate, Mr. Irvin.”