Maeve was awakened by hunger. By the time she opened her eyes, it was already eight o'clock in the evening.
The rain outside had finally stopped.
Dinner was prepared personally by Hans.
He had whipped up four main courses, four side dishes, and a rich seafood soup.
Between bites, Maeve couldn't stop her praise.
"Hans, I had no idea you were such an amazing chef. The woman who marries you is going to be incredibly lucky."
The compliment made Hans puff up with pride.
"If you like it, Miss Vance, I'll definitely cook for you again whenever there's a chance."
Maeve nodded enthusiastically, always happy to encourage him.
"That sounds perfect!"
Andres couldn't stand hearing her praise any other man—not even his most loyal right-hand man.
He picked up a flaky piece of fish with his silverware and placed it on her plate.
"Have you forgotten that my culinary talents are quite impressive too? Marrying me comes with its own perks."
This wasn't the first time Hans and Murray had seen their boss act so childishly.
The saying that love made people lose their minds clearly had some factual basis.
Maeve teased him, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. You still owe me a week's worth of dinners."
Andres offered a doting smile.
"Alright. Once the meetings here in Lumiere City are over and we're back in Aethelburg, I'll cook for you every single day."
Hearing the word "meetings" finally sparked her curiosity about the true purpose of his trip to Lumiere City.
"How many days are you staying here?"
"At least three."
"I thought you business tycoons preferred to handle everything over video conferences."
Andres served her another portion of her favorite dish.
"The agenda is highly sensitive. Video calls carry the risk of leaks."
"As for their background, let's not get into it. It ruins my appetite just thinking about it."
It was a part of her past she desperately wanted to forget—a literal dark stain on her otherwise colorful life.
If Sterling hadn't constantly meddled, she never would have taken this assignment.
Murray chimed in with a suggestion.
"If you hate this person that much, Miss Vance, I can make them disappear."
Hans kicked Murray under the table.
"We live in a civilized society. Watch your words. Making people casually disappear is villain behavior. Mr. Andres is a legitimate businessman. He never crosses the line."
If Maeve hadn't been sitting right there, Hans would have smacked some sense into the idiot.
Casually offering assassinations wasn't exactly doing wonders for their boss's pristine image.
Realizing his slip-up, Murray quickly tried to backpedal.
"I just meant that if you really hate them, Miss Vance, I could teach them a lesson."

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