?Chapter 1359:


    His exnation was so smooth that she couldn’t find a crack in it.


    She hesitated by the doorway. “William agreed to this?”


    Didn’t he despise her? Didn’t he want her backed into a corner with nowhere to go? Why would he suddenly agree to something that made her life even slightly easier?


    She honestly thought watching her reach her breaking point was the only thing that satisfied him.


    “He’s not home today,” Jewell said. “You can save the questions for when he’s back. Breakfast is ready downstairs. Eat something, then I’ll check you over.”


    He headed out first. Ste lingered a moment, taking in the open door as if seeing it for the first time, then followed him to the first floor.


    Breakfast was unusually extravagant that morning. Maybe it was because she’d been sick, but the spread was far more luxurious than anything she’d had before.


    After eating, Ste noticed the housemaids rushing around the vi, wiping down corners, polishing surfaces, even swapping out the old tablecloth and candlesticks for fresh ones. The whole ce felt… busier.


    She frowned a little and looked over at Jewell, who was seated beside her getting his kit ready. “Is something special happening today?”


    Jewell paused, mildly surprised. He nced at her, then smoothed his expression. “It’s William’s birthday. You didn’t know?”


    People in Choria always said she and William had known each other for years. From an outsider’s perspective, forgetting his birthday probably sounded impossible.


    Ste blinked, surprised. William’s birthday? And he was still at work?


    A CEO of a massive corporation could easily take his birthday off. If he wanted to.


    But the thought slid away almost as quickly as it came. Whether he celebrated or not had nothing to do with her.


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    Jewell waited a moment, then asked, “Did you prepare a gift for him?”


    A gift?


    The idea didn’t even cross her mind. She still felt suffocated by everything he’d done to her.


    So she shook her head. “No. And I doubt he’d appreciate anything from me.”


    In her mind, she could practically see him tossing her gift straight into the trash.


    Jewell let out a quietugh.


    She looked at him, puzzled. “Why are youughing? Did I say something weird?”


    She honestly didn’t understand William’s friends.


    They were all impossible to read. Perhaps spending time with William had this effect on them.


    “Ms. Russell,” he said, amused, “you really don’t understand men.”


    She frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”


    “I mean, if you gave William a gift, he wouldn’t dislike it. Actually, he’d be pleased. If I were you, I’d pick something out before he gets back. Since you’re stuck here anyway, why not make your life a little easier?”


    His tone was calm, matter-of-fact, almost too reasonable.


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