?Chapter 914:


    Ste had honestly thought she’d never see Lena again after they parted ways abroad. Yet here they were, bumping into each other in Choria as if the world had shrunk.


    And Lena’s concern, though they had only met twice, felt rare and genuine. “You get used to it,” Ste said with a small smile, ncing at the thermos in her hands. “Besides, I kind of enjoy it.”


    “Ste.” Lena leaned in eagerly. “I might not be good at a lot of things, but the kitchen? That’s my territory. Back home my parents never stopped bragging about my cooking. How about I handle meals for Mr. Briggs? Consider it my way of repaying you for saving mest time!”


    Ste hesitated, her first instinct to turn it down. “That’s too much trouble for you. And with your stomach problems, you should really be resting.”


    But Lena waved her hands, her expression earnest. “It’s no trouble at all! I don’t have many friends here in Choria, and honestly, most days I’m just bored out of my mind. Helping you and Mr. Briggs would make me happy. And the doctor said my stomach just needs careful food management. Whatever I make for myself is bound to be healthy. Please, Ste—let me pay you back!”


    Her sincerity was hard to push away. Looking at Lena’s pale face and hopeful eyes, Ste thought of how much she had already endured—being abandoned abroad by her boyfriend, starting over on her own.


    And Ste herself had plenty weighing on her. Even though Amon had been captured, there was still a lot of follow-up work that required her attention. Moreover, she couldn’t extend her leave from the research institute indefinitely. Juggling theboratory and the hospital, along with preparing and delivering meals, was stretching her thin.


    After a long pause, Ste finally nodded. “Alright. But you don’t need to cook every day—just help out sometimes. Send me your address, and I’ll have the ingredients delivered.”


    Your next chapter is here gα?ησν???s


    Lena’s face lit up. She clutched Ste’s arm like an excited child. “Perfect! Thanks for trusting me, Ste. I promise everything will be healthy, delicious, and a hundred times better than boring hospital food!”


    Ste smiled, exchanged contact info with her, and then headed back upstairs to William’s room.


    As William sipped his soup, Ste filled him in. “You remember that girl we met abroad—Lena?”


    The trip hadn’t been that long ago, so William nodded. “Yeah. What about her?”


    “I ran into her downstairs. She noticed I’ve been cooking for you every day and offered to take over. Are you… okay with that?”


    She worried he might be picky, maybe unwilling to eat food made by someone else.


    William thought for a moment but didn’t refuse. He preferred Ste’s cooking, but he also knew the stress was draining her. If she wasfortable with Lena stepping in, he wasn’t about to argue.


    From then on, Lena began dropping off meals every few days.


    Lena’s cooking was nothing short of impressive—light, vorful, and always varied. Each dish reflected her meticulous care.


    .<fn9f08> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? Find[?]ovel</fn9f08>


    .


    .