Beneath the table, Thaddeus clenched his trembling hands into fists, his gaze dark and unreadable.


    "I''m fine. Dr. Alexia, is there something you need?"


    Alexia''s smile was gentle. "Mr. Thaddeus, have you forgotten? Mr. Frederic instructed me to stay close and keep an eye on your health whenever I''m avable."


    "Even so, Dr. Alexia, have you never heard of basic manners?"


    Gordon couldn''t help but roll his eyes internally. "Even if you''re here to look after Mr. Thaddeus''s health, this is the CEO''s office. Not just anyone can waltz in here, you know. Were you always this disrespectful in front of your young master?"


    Alexia showed no sign of annoyance. Instead, she smiled, lips quirking with amusement. “Every profession has its own rules, Mr. Gordon. I don''t me you for not understanding this isn''t your field, after all.


    But if Mr. Thaddeus were to suddenly fall ill and no one was around to help, would you be willing to take responsibility if something went wrong?"


    Gordon''s chest tightened with anger, his fists clenching at his sides.


    Ever since the young master brought this strange woman into their lives, all sense of peace and order had vanished. Mr. Thaddeus had changed-now, he treated every woman around him with the same cold indifference.


    And now, at this sensitive time, Alexia had wedged herself into Thaddeus''s daily life, acting as if she belonged by his side. Wasn''t this just asking for trouble? Wasn''t it just a matter of time before something more developed between them?


    Mrs. Abernathy is about to be usurped!


    Danger!<fn6aab> Latest content published on find?novel</fn6aab>


    "Gordon, go get me a cup of coffee," Thaddeus said, not even looking up as he leafed through a stack of documents. The ongoing bickering clearly bored him.


    Gordon gritted his teeth. "Yes, Mr. Thaddeus."


    Alexia''s eyes flickered, and she offered a soft, almost teasing smile. "Mr. Thaddeus, do you enjoy coffee that much?"


    Thaddeus gave a nomittal hum. "I do."


    "I''m not just good with tea, you know. I make a mean cup of coffee, too. Perhaps I could brew some for you next time?"


    Thaddeus didn''t hesitate. "I''ve never tasted coffee better than what my girlfriend makes."


    The words slipped out before he could stop himself, and his heart gave a sudden, powerful thud.


    A memory shed before his eyes: those soft, golden mornings after nights tangled together, Evadne standing at the kitchen counter,


    humming to herself her


    as


    she brewed his coffee. Sunlight would spill across her delicate features, and he''d find himself unable to resist slipping his arms around her waist, kissing her blushing cheek, drinking in everything about her...  s


    "Thaddeus, will you always love me?"


    "Evadne, I love you... I''ll always love you."


    For a moment, Thaddeus''s perfectly measured heartbeat skipped, ever so slightly.


    He steadied his breath and quietly corrected himself, "Sorry. Ex-girlfriend."


    "Ms. Evadne, hmm? No denying she was a talented woman," Alexia said softly, leaning in closer, her tone pointed. "But drink the same coffee long enough, and it all starts to taste the same. Trying something new now and then isn''t so bad, is it?"


    "Dr. Alexia, aren''t you overstepping?" Thaddeus finally looked up. His gaze was cold, cutting straight through her.


    Alexia''s smile cooled. She reached into her bag and set several packets of medicine on the table in front of him. "These are prescriptions I prepared specifically for you, Mr. Thaddeus. They target your current symptoms. Give them


    a try—if they''re not effective, you can always stop."


    As Thaddeus picked up the medication, Gordon returned carrying a cup of coffee, shooting Alexia a frosty re.


    "Our Mr. Thaddeus nearly lost his life once because of untested medication," Gordon said icily. "You think he''ll just swallow whatever pills you hand him, without a second thought?"


    The implication was clear-he didn''t trust her, or her medicine.


    After all, this woman ultimately answered to the young master. Even if the young master had once saved Mr. Thaddeus''s life that didn''t mean they could afford to let their guard down. In families like the


    Ashbournes, true brotherly affection was a rare thing-the Chambers family was a rare exception.  s


    Alexia let out a coldugh. "I understand your concerns, Mr. Gordon. But let''s not forget-years ago, our young master nearly gave his own life to save Mr Thaddeus. How many brothers in this world would go that far? If he''d been selfish, he could have just let Mr. Thaddeus die back then and saved himself the trouble, couldn''t he?"  s