The next morning, the wonderful smell of breakfast wafted from the kitchen as Jenny left her bedroom. The only person who would've come by so early to cook for her was Alec. Was he here?Jenny went to the kitchen, and to her surprise, she found Morgan at the stove."Morning, Jenny. Breakfast's ready." Morgan switched off the stove, plating bacon and eggs.Jenny stared at her in surprise. "You know how to cook?""Mhm." Morgan nodded. It wasn't a big deal to her.Jenny, meanwhile, grew gloomy. Why did it seem like everyone around her knew how to cook but her? Why didn't her grandfather hire a chef to teach her when she was young?They were about to eat when the doorbell rang. Morgan instantly got up. "I'll get it."When she opened the door, she saw Alec standing coolly outside. "M-Mr. Faust?" Morgan asked in surprise. Why was he here? Hadn't he divorced Jenny already? Were they…getting back together?Seeing it wasn't Jenny, Alec frowned. "Why are you here?"Morgan was about to
"I…I wasn't…" Morgan stammered."She didn't ask me; I volunteered to help," Jenny explained.Alec eyed her curiously and replied in a gentle tone, "That's kind of you.""Why? Something wrong with my decision?" Jenny asked, starting to become irritated by Alec's attitude toward Morgan.The three continued eating through the tense atmosphere. It was especially tough for Morgan, who felt the air was so thick she could cut through it with her knife."Stay out of the Goldings' business. I'll handle it," Alec finally said.It shocked Morgan to the core."What? Think I can't handle it?" That large dent in the Goldings' accounts wasn't a big deal to Alec like it was to most people.Jenny turned to Morgan to see what she might think. But Morgan herself was still reeling in gratitude for all the offered help."I know you can handle it, but…" Jenny sighed. "I just think it's better if I take care of things."Morgan might not know why Alec was helping them, but Jenny knew it was to preve
On the way to the Goldings' villa, Jenny received a phone call from the police telling her Miller had been charged in court and that the judgment would be released soon. Jenny was pleased with it, as she didn't want the man harassing his son.She stepped out of the car with Morgan when they reached the large villa. They were greeted warmly, likely to be the result of Morgan telling them what had happened.Jenny and Morgan's parents went to the study to discuss the investments while Morgan stayed in the living room. She didn't know much about such goings-on, after all.An hour later, the three left the study. Morgan guessed the discussion ended well on account of the smiles on her parents' faces. She relaxed instantly. Finally, they would be rid of the bankruptcy rumor."Thank you, Jenny." Morgan nearly bowed to her. She really didn't know what to do to repay this favor.Jenny smiled and waved a contract in her face. "It was a contractual agreement, not a gift."Plus, she benefite
Meanwhile, Jenny had gotten right into her scheduled surgeries after reaching the hospital, not getting a moment's rest. When she didn't see any text messages from Alec afterward, she couldn't stop the disappointment from rising in her chest.Jenny then called her boyfriend. After all, it wouldn't do well for this relationship to be one-sided."Jenny? Finished all your work?""Mhm. Have you? I thought we could grab dinner together."Alec hesitated for a moment before answering, "No, I still have some things to work on here. Might have to go overtime.""I can send you dinner then?" Jenny asked.Alec blinked, pleasantly surprised. Jenny had never wanted to go to his workplace before. "Sure.""What're you in the mood for?" Alec wasn't a picky eater, so he just said he was fine with whatever Jenny got him.After hanging up, Jenny went to get some takeout before heading to Faust Group HQ. Vincent was already waiting for her when she reached. He couldn't exactly disobey his boss'
The two happily ate dinner, enjoying each other's company."Had a busy day?" Jenny asked, sneaking a peek at Alec's desk filled with mountains of documents. She felt bad. He always seemed so relaxed and unbothered around her, even cooking for her sometimes. Turns out he was actually really occupied at work.Alec nodded. "Yeah. Company's going through a peak period."He didn't tell her about what was strange with work lately. It seemed like someone was directing all the chaos hurtling at his company. But without any evidence of who it was, he had decided not to tell Jenny first in case she worried."You really don't need any help with the Goldings?" Alec asked.Jenny shook her head and swiftly took out the contract she had signed earlier. "Everything's settled."Alec read the contract, then smiled. "Not bad. I thought you were gonna give it all without taking anything in return." The contract stipulated clearly that Jenny would get 40% of the Golding company's shares in exchange
When they reached Perry Residence, Vincent was about to open the car door for Jenny when she stepped out herself."I'll get it for you, Vincent. You can wait outside first," she said. Vincent shook his head. "No need. I'll follow you upstairs and wait by the door." He didn't want to make Jenny take two trips. Mr. Faust would give him a hard time if he did.Jenny didn't refuse. The two went up and swiftly reached Alec's condominium.She used the keys he had given her to open the door while Vincent silently waited beside it. The walls inside were painted black, reminding her of Alec's design task for her. Jenny reminded herself to get it done ASAP as she walked in.The study was different from the living room. It had an oppressive air, making Jenny question how Alec could stand being in there while working.She went to the shelf by the study desk and quickly found the documents Alec needed. She was about to leave when she suddenly remembered what Yvonne had told her the other day.
Jenny couldn't exclude that possibility. She tried to console herself. People had exes, even her—it was normal. But the fear that she might just be a substitute terrified her. Jenny hated how fragile she felt. It had never been like this before she got into this relationship. She couldn't stop imagining what Alec was up to when he wasn't spending time with her.Did he still talk to that other woman?She even considered asking Alec who that woman was and whether she was just her substitute. She stopped herself every time, pretending nothing had happened. Every day that she worked, she pushed these doubts from her mind. But Alec only got busier and busier with work, increasing her anxiety."Hey Steph, wanna grab lunch together?" Jenny finally called Stephanie. She needed to find someone to vent to before she lost her mind.Stephanie was already waiting for her at the café, and she immediately noticed the weird look on Jenny's face."What happened? You don't look okay. Have you bee
"He's not, and neither are you. You have to be confident in yourself, Jenny. I've never seen you like this," Stephanie said solemnly.Jenny dismissed it. "It's not about confidence." She just wondered if Alec liked her because she resembled the woman in the photo.Who…was she?Jenny had too many questions but didn't tell Stephanie any of them. It would only worry her friend."How have you been, by the way? Is Paul causing any trouble?" Jenny swiftly changed the topic. She didn't want to talk about her relationship anymore. It only aggravated her further.Stephanie sighed, sipping her coffee. "I've been alright. Paul's been busy, but we've been handling it okay." She wouldn't have agreed to lunch with Jenny if the problems had persisted."Good. Remember to always let me know if you need help," Jenny said."Hehe, I will."The two continued their lunch, dropping the topic of Alec and Paul. It allowed them a moment's reprise from their worries.When Jenny went home that night, she