“I heard you wereing, and he was thrilled. He even told me to make extra good food for you…”


    Janice’s cheerful voice trailed off as she walked into the living room and found it empty.


    She nced out the window, only to realize the car was gone too.


    That rascal!


    He must have slipped away while she was outside weing their guest. Janice felt both annoyed and embarrassed. She gave Elissa an apologetic smile. “Dr. Elissa, my grandson…”


    “Grandma, it’s a workday. He probably had something urgent to deal with. Please don’t be upset,” Elissa reassured her, actually feeling relieved. She turned to the dining table, which was spread with an impressive array of dishes, andplimented Janice, “I had no idea you could cook more than just pies–everything looks amazing!”


    There was roasted salmon with lemon, a richmb stew simmering in a pot, and garlic butter scallops still sizzling in their dish–each one more tempting than thest.


    Elissa’s appetite was instantly roused.


    Janice knew Elissa was giving her a way to save face, so she grumbled about her grandson internally while pouring Elissa a ss of sparkling water. “Dig in! See if it suits your taste.”


    “Thank you.”


    With only the two of them at the table, Elissa felt much more at ease. Worried Janice might feel awkward about her grandson’s absence, she ended up eating until she was stuffed.


    By the end, hardly anything was left on the table.


    <b>10:42 </b>


    But the food was truly delicious–everything was just what she liked.


    Seeing Elissa eat so heartily, Janice couldn’t help butugh. “If you like my cooking, you shoulde by more often! I live here alone anyway. You’re wee anytime.”


    “You live by yourself?” Elissa asked, surprised.


    Janice sighed. “He’s always busy with work. When he gets a spare moment, he’ll drop by to check on me.”


    Elissa smiled. “Then I’ll visit you more often.”


    After all, she lived alone herself.


    Her mentor and Jacqueline always looked forward to her visits, but sometimes she worried she was intruding on their alone time.


    That was why she didn’t go over every chance she got–she wanted to give them space to enjoy their lives together.


    Janice’s eyes crinkled with joy. “Really?”


    “Really.”


    After the meal, Elissa offered to wash the dishes, but Janice wouldn’t


    hear of it. She pulled Elissa over for a cup of herbal tea instead.


    It was after three when Elissa finally got a call from the dry cleaner–Rowan’s suit jacket was ready for pick–up.


    He’d actually stood up for her that night, a rare act of kindness, and she’d brushed it off. He probably hated her by now.


    And this jacket–she’d worn it. He’d probably be disgusted just seeing it.


    But it wasn’t hers to keep; she didn’t get to decide.


    After picking up the suit, she hesitated, then messagedn: n, do you know when Mr. Murphy might be free? I’d like to drop off his suit a bitter, if that’s okay?]


    He was almost certainly busy. He’d probably just tell her to toss it in the


    214


    10:42


    Chapter <b>131 </b>


    trash.


    Elissa’s car was already parked next to the trash bins; ifn gave the word, she could just roll down the window and toss it in.


    “Sir, Miss Elissa just texted me-


    He stopped mid–sentence as he saw Rowan standing by the window, speaking into his phone with perfectposure. “Grandma, I swear I didn’t bail on you on purpose. I really had work to do.”


    “Don’t be upset, or your blood pressure will go up.”


    “Yes, this week has been crazy. I feel like I’m being pulled in two directions.”


    “You’re right, at this rate I’ll end up a lonely old man.”


    Han thought to himself, There’s no one else in Vistapeak City who gets this kind of consideration. Only Grandma could make the boss so patient.


    Rowan spottedn, wrapped up the call after a few words, and his expression turned cold. “Why did she message you?”


    “She wants to return your suit.”


    But thenn cleared his throat, trying to sound brave as he went on, “But since you’re so busy, maybe I should tell her not to bother, so it doesn’t take up your time—”


    Rowan shot him a re. “Have her bring it over.”


    “When?”


    41


    “Now.”


    “…Sir?”


    You’re not busy anymore?


    10:42


    her know right away.”


    Asn headed downstairs, Evan crunched a candy in his mouth and muttered, “You didn’t need to go ask. The boss is such a neat freak–he’s. got more suits than he can wear. Like he’d want one that’s been out to a dry cleaner.‘