Ste offered a slight smile, "If Mr. O''Brien can''t even bear to let Ms. Pearce do the most basic tasks, that''s a different story."


    "If you''re worried that Mr. Burton might give Ms. Pearce a hard time, feel free toe by every day. I''m sure Mr. Burton won''t mind. In fact, he might even be moved by your dedication and give you your mother''s medicine."


    Benson couldn''t help but nce at Ste a few more times.


    Dedication...


    It sounded perfectly fine when referring to his wife. But when applied to another woman, it carried an unmistakable irony. His own mother needed his wife to plead for medicine, while he exhausted himself for another woman.


    Haynes couldn''t miss the sarcasm in Ste''s tone. His voice was calm, "There''s no need for the passive-aggression. Even if Rachel''s illness is cured, I won''t be with her."


    Ste pretended to understand,menting, "So legitimacy holds no allure for you, Mr. O''Brien? You favor the excitement of the forbidden, is that correct?"


    "Ste!"


    Ste hid the disdain in her eyes, "Is there anything else, Mr. O''Brien? If not, please leave. I have a house to tidy up."


    Without waiting for Haynes to respond, Ste resumed tidying the room. Haynes stood still for a moment, watching her, before finally turning to leave.


    Whatever Haynes said to Rachel, it must have worked, as she showed up the next morning.


    Feigning concern, she asked, "Mr. Burton, Ms. Cameron, and little Marvin, are you all okay?"


    She cast a fleeting nce at Ste and added, "Jasper''s not usually like this. It''s just that there have been so many misunderstandings between him and Ms. Cameron, which led to such a scene..."


    "Ms. Cameron, really, knowing Jasper''s temper, why provoke him?"


    Her voice carried a hint of reproach, "Mr. Burton is getting on in years, and Marvin is so young. Even if you don''t think of yourself, shouldn''t you consider them?"


    Rachel was in fine form, effortlessly shifting Jasper''s missteps onto Ste. But Mr. Burton wasn''t buying it; he let out a heavy grunt.


    "You''re all talk and no action. Instead of yammering on, why don''t you get some work done? That''s your task for today."


    With that, Mr. Burton ced sixrge bags of unsorted herbs in front of Rachel.


    Her eyes widened at the sight. "Why are there so many?" She pointed at Marvin, "He only had three bags, so why do I have six? That''s not fair."


    Mr. Burton sneered, "A grown adultparing herself to a five-year-old concerning fairness? Shouldn''t you be embarrassed?"


    Rachel''s brows furrowed, "Are you deliberately making this difficult for me, Mr. Burton?"


    Marvin chimed in helpfully, "Ms. Pearce, Mr. Burton isn''t trying to make things hard for you. On the first day, we were supposed to sort three bags, but you only managed half a bag."


    "So today, you need to make up for what you missed, plus the usual three bags for today, making it six in total. It''s only fair."


    Rachel bit her lip, "Given my current health, I can''t do too much. Besides, I''m preparing for a concert soon. If my hands get injured, Haynie will be upset."