Kayla lowered her voice and gave Payton a fierce look. “If you breathe a word about today, you’ll regret it. With that, she shook her fist threateningly.
Payton’s hands hung in the air as Kayla gripped his collar, their faces almost touching. Only a breath separated them. They were so close that Payton felt her warm exhale on his skin, his heart beating faster.
The sudden closeness left him dazed. His eyes flickered. The lunchbox nearly slipped from his hand as he steadied himself.
Seeing his stunned look, Kayla thought he was intimidated and felt a flicker of satisfaction, her frustration easing a little.
She released him and casually straightened his collar. “Aren’t you going to take care of your mother? You can go. I have things to do, too.”
Watching Kayla walk away, Payton touched his slightly wrinkled collar, as if feeling a trace of warmth. His Adam’s apple bobbed. He lowered his gaze, hiding all emotion, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the fabric.
He stood there for a while, lost in thought. After a moment, he took out his phone and made a call. “Hey, it’s me. I need a favor.”
It was still early when Kayla left the hospital, so she decided to visit the man her mother had mentioned–Max Carter, her grandfather’s former secretary.
Bailee said Max was highly capable. He was the right–hand man of Bailee’s father. After her father died, Max left to start his own business without even saying goodbye.
Bailee had been upset for a while because of his departure. Max had watched her grow up and was always kind to her. He shouldn’t have left so suddenly. But everyone has their path, and Bailee didn’t interfere, so they lost touch over the years.
Using the contact information Bailee provided, Kayla had called Max before, but she couldn’t get through.
As a last resort, Kayla hired a private investigator to look into Max discreetly, but the information she received seemed inconsistent with what Bailee had told her. So Kayla decided to see for herself.
Since that late–night talk with Kayla, Bailee had been uneasy. Even her favorite spa couldn’t relax her. After hesitating, she realized Kayla was right.
Bailee thought, ‘I should visit the company more and surprise Jackson.“‘
With that in mind, she asked the maid to prepare ingredients, then personally made lobster soup and several dishes to bring to Jackson.
Bailee headed to the company. Sitting in the car, she smiled softly at the carefully prepared meal in her hands.
She remembered how, early in their marriage, she often cooked and brought food to Jackson. Back then, he had always looked so pleasantly surprised to see her.
Raised like a princess by her family, Bailee had never learned to cook, so her skills were poor. But Jackson never complained. He ate all the meals she prepared, then held her hand gently, putting ointment on her cooking blisters.
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Chapter 87
Later, afraid she would tire or hurt herself. he stopped her from cooking.
Railer still remembered Jackson’s words. “I love that you cook for me, but it hurts to see you struggle. You were raised gently This rough work isn’t for you. You’re my wife, and I’ll give you a better life, not let you get hurt.”
Bailee’s heart had swelled with sweetness at his words, and she had obediently stopped insisting on cooking.
Bailee thought, smiling sweetly. ‘It’s rare I made him a meal today. Jackson will be surprised.‘
Thinking this, she smiled wider, picturing his delighted face.
Soon. Bailee reached the company.
As she entered, the receptionist stopped her. “Excuse me, who are you here to see?”
Upon hearing this, Bailee frowned, “You don’t know me?”
The receptionist kept a polite but distant smile. “Sorry, I don’t know you.”
Bailee’s frown deepened. She studied the receptionist–her face was unfamiliar. Then, she scanned the other receptionists, but not one looked familiar.
Suppressing her displeasure, Bailee said flatly, “I’m Bailee Perry. I’m here to see the president. I’ve brought him-”
Before she could finish, the receptionist cut in with a cold look, tapping her newly done nails, “Seeing the president? Do you have an appointment?” Her tone was polite but impatient.
Bailee’s good mood vanished instantly. Her brows drew tight. “I’m Bailee Perry. Don’t you know who I am?”
The receptionist chuckled, “Ma’am, I really don’t know what big shot you are. All I know is no appointment, no entry.”
Nearby receptionists glanced over, their expressions mocking.
A receptionist snorted, twirling her curls, “Where did this one pop up from? Another woman trying to latch onto the CEO? She looks decent, but at her age, she’s still seducing a rich man?” Her eyes were full of insults and disdain.
“Yeah, usually it’s young girls. Someone her age is rare,” another added, arms crossed, sneering as if watching a clown.
The other receptionists echoed, “She must be fifty, right? Tsk, she’s still chasing wealthy men. How brave.”
“Her tricks are so clumsy, just barging in like that. Does she think we’re decorations?”
Bailee had never been insulted like this. She flushed red, fingers trembling as she pointed at them. “How dare you! Shut up!”
Her rage only made them laugh louder. They snorted, “Oh, you can do it, but we can’t talk about it?”
“Right, getting mad so fast. The boss doesn’t like this type.”
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