Chapter 1957


    The car slowly pulled away.


    Abdul seemed to dete, wiping his face before turning to Hector. “Mr. Hector,” he said, “I came in a


    hurry and I’m leaving just as fast. Once I’ve sorted out the contract issues, I’lle back to H City and


    treat you to dinner.”


    “Good luck,” Hector replied, nodding with a genial smile.


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    After exchanging a few more words, Abdul departed in a rush.


    Hector watched his retreating figure before heading to his Maserati.


    Once inside, he ran his hands gently over the steering wheel, seemingly lost in thought. After a while,


    he started the car and drove away from Bane Corp Center.d2


    Inside another car, Rosalynn was ying with Wayne’s hand.


    “A business could take decades to build, but it could crumble in an instant,” she murmured, thinking of


    the Strand Group’s downfall.


    “I knew things were bad over there, but I didn’t realize they had gotten to this point,” Wayne agreed.


    “If Jacob doesn’t hurry back, there’s going to be serious trouble,” Rosalynn sighed.


    Back at home, Rosalynn and Wayne were about to leave the elevator when Jaime rushed up, blocking


    their way.


    “No entry to the first floor for you two. Back to the third floor, please.”


    Rosalynn was speechless, but Wayne was smiling. “Is this supposed to be a surprise?”


    “The point of a surprise is that you don’t know it’sing,.” Jaime replied, sounding rather disgusted.


    He then pressed the button for the third floor and waved as the elevator doors closed.


    “Did you smell that?” Rosalynn asked Wayne, who shrugged helplessly. “Burnt food.”


    The couple shared a knowing smile.


    Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ivy was fully equipped and standing on a stool, carefully flipping the


    vegetables in the pan. “Didn’t burn it this time!” she cheered, looking at the still-green veggies.


    Today marked her father’s first day back at work. Her brother’s Al program had been making a lot of


    money for their dad, and Ivy wanted to do something for him. After some thought, she decided to


    surprise her parents with a home-cooked dinner.


    Ivy’s life motto was if you’re going to do something, do it right. So, she nned a meal with four meat


    dishes, two vegetable dishes, a soup, and even dessert and a fruit tter.


    The meat dishes were potato stir-fry with meat strips, tomato beef stew, steamed salmon, and prawns


    sautéed in garlic butter. The veggies included a seaweed sd and stir-fried vegetables. The soup she


    chose was aforting chicken noodle soup that Rosalynn had started before leaving the house. For


    dessert, Ivy made a cream pudding, a dish she’d already mastered. The fruit tter was a bit of a rush


    job and consisted of whole fruits arranged on a te.


    As Ivy was all set to go, Rosalynn and Wayne were summoned downstairs, absolutely stunned by the


    setup.


    “Did you make all these?” Rosalynn was taken aback, looking at her daughter.


    Though it wasn’t unusual for Cory and Ivy to assist in the kitchen, the meal she’d prepared was nothing


    short of impressive.


    Rosalynn had expected a few simple dishes at best.


    “Uncle Calvin and Laura helped too!” Ivy was quick to share the credit.


    Seeing this, Calvin immediately rified, “We merely assisted. Ivy led the entire process!”d2


    – Laura nodded in agreement with gusto.