"What are you doing?"

"Frederick Fairfax, my husband."

"What's wrong with you?"

Olivia Young was dragged by Frederick Fairfax into an empty room.

"I'm just checking something."

Pervert!

Olivia Young covered her chest. "Checking what? I'm not hurt. You were actually quite restrained last night—you didn't hurt me at all."

"Not that." Frederick Fairfax replied. "Quentin Young called and told me Grace Gordon has dropped that project. So I came back right away. Did Grace Gordon threaten you?"

Frederick Fairfax circled Olivia Young once, then pulled her into his arms. "Block him! Block him everywhere!"

"He didn't threaten me. He's just not willing to give up yet. You know how men are—prideful bullies, they never admit defeat easily." Olivia Young smiled. "I just cursed him out, that's all."

And she did curse him out—pretty harshly, too.

She couldn't even remember exactly what she'd said.

It wouldn't be repeatable anyway.

"Honey, I suspect you might've actually insulted him so bad, he liked it—and just gave up."

Uh…

Could that really be true?

Grace Gordon is like those old-school domineering CEOs in retro novels. The kind who're always a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

Typical lines like: "Woman, you're the first one who's ever dared to hit me."

"Woman, you're the first one who's disobeyed my orders."

"Woman, you're the first one who's made me eat street food."

"Woman, you're the first one who's ever dared to steal a kiss from me!"

Honestly, it's like they're all a little bit sick in the head.

They always fall for some clueless, trouble-making girl who dumps coffee on a $20,000 suit, not the elegant heiress or his childhood sweetheart.

Whatever! That's fine!

She respects everyone's tastes.

Just as long as she isn't their stepping stone.

And as long as they leave her happy family alone.

"So what did you call him? I want to hear it."

Frederick Fairfax was genuinely curious.

"The things I called him are different from what I call you," Olivia Young replied. When she scolds Frederick Fairfax, it's always things like, 'Jerk! Dog! Pervert!'

And always with a gentle 'take it easy' at the end.

It turns Frederick Fairfax into a blissed-out fool.

"When my wife yells at me, it's just because she loves me."

Frederick Fairfax really might have a talent for doting on his wife.

Will he end up as obsessed and weird as those sickly-devoted characters?

A slap makes him happy.

A scolding makes him grin.

"Since you're back, let's go eat, then." Olivia Young was still holding her chopsticks!

"Alright."

They were already home. After eating, Frederick Fairfax spent a little time with their daughter before heading to the office.

——

Night fell quietly over the gated community.

A luxury car pulled into the underground garage, and Mrs. Gu got out.

Something was off with Grace Gordon lately.

He wasn't coming home.

He wouldn't pick up her calls.

Who knows what he was up to.

She was worried.

Sure, she could see Grace Gordon at the company, but she didn't want to discuss family matters there—the staff gossiped too much, and it would hurt Grace Gordon's image.

So she came to Grace Gordon's apartment.

Mrs. Gu entered the password—he hadn't changed it.

It was still Olivia Young's birthday.

The lights were on.

Was someone here?

She heard the sound of cooking.

From Mrs. Gu's memory, Grace Gordon only ever allowed the housekeeper in to clean, never to cook.

She glanced down and saw a pair of women's slippers.

Her son was dating someone?

If he was letting go of Olivia Young and starting over, then he should at least change the password.

If a future girlfriend discovered his code was his childhood sweetheart's birthday… she would absolutely get jealous!

Mrs. Gu walked in, smiling. The glass kitchen door separated her from the slim, graceful figure inside.

Where was Grace Gordon?

In the kitchen, Annabelle Winters finished stir-frying and turned off the range hood. The air grew still.

She carried the food out and met Mrs. Gu's gaze.

"Executive Assistant An."

Mrs. Gu's heart sank.

Of course.

Rich heiresses would never cook. At home, they're all pampered princesses.

The Gu family's future daughter-in-law wouldn't need to cook either, unless it was a hobby.

"What are you doing here? Where's Grace Gordon?"

Annabelle Winters set down the plate and opened the door. "Mr. Gordon hasn't stayed here for a long time."

"And by 'a long time,' you mean… you've been living here for a long time?"

Annabelle Winters lowered her head. "Yes."

"I know company benefits are nice, but they're not nice enough to let a secretary stay in the president's apartment," Mrs. Gu said, a weight settling in her chest.

She sat on the sofa. "Call Grace Gordon. Tell him to come here."

"I…"

"Call him!"

Annabelle Winters ran to the bedroom to grab her phone and dialed Grace Gordon.

"Mr. Gordon! Help! Your mom just showed up out of nowhere!"

From the other side of the line, Mrs. Gu could hear the rowdy sound of a bar—Grace Gordon was drinking somewhere.

Annabelle Winters had actually offered to move out before, but Grace Gordon refused.

He said it was compensation.

He told her to feel at home.

"My mom?"

"Yes, Mrs. Gu."

"Alright, I got it."

After hanging up, Annabelle Winters came back out.

"Mrs. Gu, have you eaten? Would you like to join me for dinner?"

"I've eaten."

So, Annabelle Winters sat down to eat alone.

She'd only cooked for herself anyway.

Mrs. Gu was surprised to see her serve up a plate of shredded pork with peppers, a bowl of tomato egg soup, and white rice—then eat completely at ease.

That takes some nerve.

While waiting, Mrs. Gu kept sneaking peeks at Annabelle Winters.

A secretary, living in her son's home.

Suddenly, Mrs. Gu recalled how at recent gatherings, the other rich wives had been whispering and casting strange looks at her.

She'd assumed they were gossiping about Grace Gordon and Olivia Young.

But now…

There was a hidden story.

Even she as his mother didn’t know about it.

Annabelle Winters finished eating, washed the dishes, and cleaned the kitchen.

Grace Gordon still hadn't come back, so she poured a glass of warm water for Mrs. Gu.

She wanted to go back to work.

But…

She decided to stay and keep Mrs. Gu company.

Please, let Grace Gordon come soon.

Hurry up!

"Madam, have you been watching any new dramas? If you're bored, we could watch some TV together."

"Whatever."

Mrs. Gu wasn’t in the mood for television.

The only thing she wanted was to give Grace Gordon a piece of her mind.

They turned on the TV. Annabelle Winters sat on pins and needles, glancing at the door every few minutes.

On her ninety-ninth glance—the door finally opened.

Grace Gordon walked in, clearly tipsy, cheeks flushed. He loosened his tie. "Mom, I don't live here anymore. Did you need something?"

"Why is she here?"

Grace Gordon glanced at Annabelle Winters, who stood up. "I let her stay here."

"Are you two dating?"

"No way!" Grace Gordon denied it instantly. "Mom, let's talk about this at home."

"No, we'll talk right here! Grace Gordon, let me remind you: just because you and Olivia Young are over doesn’t mean you can pick anyone to settle down with. That girl—your secretary who looks just like Olivia Young? Absolutely not! Consider this an early warning. Don’t sink yourself any deeper!"

Mrs. Gu grabbed her bag. "Don't bother seeing me out. I think you two have a lot to discuss."

With that, she left.

Grace Gordon slouched onto the sofa, tugged off his suit jacket and tossed it aside.

Why wasn't he saying anything?

Did he expect her to speak first?

"Mr. Gordon, don't worry. I have no intention of crossing that line," Annabelle Winters declared. "I'll move out tomorrow."

Grace Gordon pinched the bridge of his nose. "Executive Assistant An, do you ever feel like you can’t control the urge to get close to me?"