Chapter 3146


    "What did you say? I didn’t catch that." Doretta noticed Er''s clear displeasure, her own face losing


    some color at his reaction.


    Before things could escte, Patricia stepped in, "Jumping to talk of marriage is jumping the gun, don''t


    you think?" "But Aunt Emma adores you. She''s quite keen on the idea of you joining the family,"


    Doretta couldn''t help but smile again, trying to lighten the mood.


    Noticing Er''s continued annoyance, Patricia subtly pinched him as a cue to ease up.


    "Ouch!" The pinch caught Ell ar off guard, making him grunt involuntarily.


    "Er?" Doretta''s confusion grew, looking between them for an exnation.


    Catching Patricia''s subtle cue, Er took a deep breath, attempting to soften his stance. "Like we’ve


    mentioned earlier, marriage isn''t on our agenda for the next few years. Mom''s on board with that


    decision, so it''s not something we''re rushing into." "Oh, I understand," Doretta replied, her smile


    returning. "Well, in that case, Er, you''ll have to really look out for Patricia. It''d be a real loss if you let


    someone as wonderful as her slip away."


    Er mustered a tight smile in response, choosing to keep his peace.


    Given his sour mood, he figured it was wiser to hold back anyments that might inadvertently reveal


    his current state of irritation.


    The trio reached the restaurant Er had picked out.


    Opting for the main dining area rather than a secluded private room turned out to be a fortunate choice,


    considering the addition of Doretta. This setting made the dynamic less awkward than it might have


    been in a more intimate environment.


    Once they had ced their orders, a palpable silence descended over the table. Theck of


    conversation lent an almost ghostly air to the meal, with each person focusing solely on their food.


    Er, already in a foul mood, silently wished for the meal to end quickly so they could all go back.


    Patricia, who had used up much of her diplomatic energy during the car ride, found it increasingly


    difficult to engage with someone as chatty as Doretta. For someone as naturally reserved as Patricia,


    Doretta''s incessant talking was bing a test of her limits.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    Doretta, picking up on the silence from Er and Patricia, chose to mirror their quietness, perhaps


    sensing the tension.


    As they prepared to head back, Doretta spoke up, ''I won''t being back with you two. I just


    remembered I''ve got some errands I need to take care of." "Alright then," Er responded. He didn''t


    inquire about the specifics of her errands, nor did he try to convince her otherwise. His agreement


    came quickly, without any hesitation.


    Doretta watched as Er''s car drove off, her face turning notably more somber once it was out of sight.


    She then turned her attention to a car parked along the road. After a cautious nce around, she


    swiftly approached it and got inside.


    "What''s the matter?" Doretta''s tone carried a touch of annoyance.


    "I''ve been informed you''ve started at BayCorp. Might you be in need of an internal ally?" the upant


    of the car inquired.


    With a flicker of irritation, Doretta retorted, "I''ve barely gotten my foot in the door. How could I possibly


    arrange for someone else to be hired?"


    The notion of receiving help seemed to her more of aplication than a benefit.


    If you see no need for it, then let''s drop the matter," the person replied, his toneced with apathy.


    A shadow of suspicion crossed Doretta''s face as she pressed, "Are you here to watch over me?"


    His face revealed nothing that hinted at a new assignment or information.


    "I''m here out of concern for you," he confessed, not dodging the implication.


    Doretta''s face nched, then reddened with fury. "If you mistrust me, then save your breath. Do you


    grasp who Patricia, the woman with Er, is? Any minor error could blow our cover. Should things go


    awry, are you prepared to bear the consequences?"


    Internally, she cautioned herself, ''Patricia is no mere individual. Any mishap could spell disaster, and I


    won''t be held ountable if you refuse to heed my advice.''


    The very fact that Patricia is aplex figure is why I fear you might be exposed due to any negligence


    on your part," the person countered, concern creasing his brow.


    "There''s no need for your worry. The best assistance you could offer is to keep your distance," Doretta


    dered firmly before exiting the car and shutting the door with a decisive m.