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Chapter 57

Author: Philipa__
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-09 01:56:07

JOAN’S POV

The evening was busy but I didn’t mind. I wanted everything to be perfect. After everything Derrick did for me, I wanted to do something for him too.

I stood in the kitchen as I supervised the activities around me. Pans sizzled, knives chopped and I ticked all the boxes of everything we need.

“It’s going well, isn’t it?” Ms Sullivan asked with a smile as she walked out of the kitchen.

“Sure is” I called after her.

Tonight’s dinner had to be perfect, and I was determined to make it so.

“Careful with the sauce, Emily,” I said, pointing at the simmering pot on the stove. “It needs to thicken just a little more.”

Emily nodded as she stirred. The chef gave me a quick thumbs-up as he continued cooking. I laughed. When everything was finally prepared, I helped Emily and Sarah set the long dining table in the dining room. I made sure everything looked alluring to the eye. I even decorated the table with flowers.

“Thank you, everyone,” I said with a grateful smile once the table w
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    JOAN’S POVThe sun shone through the windows of the kitchen. I was standing near the stove, overseeing the staff, just as I always did. The morning routine was the same as every other, but the air felt thick today. I could hear it. everyone could. Whispers, too quiet to catch, but loud enough to make the staff’s movements hesitant, almost self-conscious. There was an interrogation ongoing. Because of the incident last night, saff members were being questioned and everyone was scared. The weight of it all was heavy on my shoulders, and I couldn’t help but feel that I was at the center of it all, the reason for all this chaos. If it weren’t for the attack on me, none of this would be happening. I hated that it had all come down to this.Emily’s voice broke through my thoughts.“They're letting a lot of people go,” she muttered, her eyes scanning the kitchen “Can’t say they didn’t deserve it, but…”I finished for her with a sigh “It’s because of me, isn’t it?”She nodded, biting her lip.

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