"Take that card I gave you earlier as your salary."Chloe stared in disbelief at the document lying on the table, her mind blank. Then, a smile slowly spread across her face, revealing a row of straight pearly whites."Thanks a bunch, Jojo," she said.'Now I can finally use your card without scruples!'She suspected that he was concerned that she might be reluctant to spend his money and thus had arranged a job for her.‘Looks like he can be pretty sweet and considerate at times.'Joseph's eyebrows went up slightly, and the indifference on his face melted a little as he chuckled. "If you want to thank me, just stop making terrible food.""I'll enroll in a cooking class!" she said.'But with your money!'Chloe struggled with the documents Joseph had given her due to all the financial jargon written on them. After translating two pages, she leaned against the table and closed her eyes, intending to take a quick break, but ended up drifting off to sleep.She was roused by a furr

"It's okay. I'll just grab a cab," Chloe said as she smiled at him."Okay," Icarus replied as he waved. "See you next Wednesday."They were having another class next Wednesday."See you."After Icarus left, Chloe took her phone out and called for a cab.As Icarus walked into the underground parking lot, he received a phone call from his nephew, Jake."Uncle Icarus, Ava and I are getting engaged next month. You have to come!”"Is Ava your girlfriend from college?"There was a pause on the other end of the phone, and Jake replied slowly, "No, Uncle Icarus. That ex and I broke up a long time ago."Icarus did not say much, knowing that it was normal for young people to fall in and out of love. He agreed to come to the engagement and promised to be there on the day.Jake hung up the phone and turned to Ava. "Uncle Icarus promised to come. I'll introduce him to you on that day. He's a powerful figure in the financial industry."Ava nodded meekly and her eyes sparkled with exciteme

By the time Joseph came back with the car keys, Chloe’s mind was still swimming."Hmm?" He raised his eyebrows. "What's the matter? Let's go."Chloe fiddled with the buttons of her coat and demurely said, "Is it too much trouble for you to drive me this late at night?"Despite not being emotionally prepared to confess to Jake yet, the idea of him seeing her with his uncle and losing his confidence was too big of a temptation to let go. Just the thought of that scene sent shivers of joy down her spine.Unfortunately, Joseph misconstrued her intentions and his expression turned sour as he quipped, "Don't worry. I just happened to be heading back to the office and it’s along the way. I won't be a hindrance to your secret meeting with your paramour.""What paramour?" Chloe was taken aback, and it was not until a moment later that she realized the meaning behind his odd tone. She took a few steps closer, smiling slyly as she stared at him. "Are you jealous?"Otherwise, why would he so

A little taken aback, Chloe asked, "You saw everything?"However, Joseph answered in a non-committal tone, "What did I see?""The person I met at the cafe…"'That sc*mbag is your nephew!'Joseph was silent for a while and said, "Nope. I didn't see anything."He had only seen her standing on the street looking lost and dejected.Chloe stared into Joseph’s eyes and realized that he was not lying. He really had not seen Jake or Ava, leaving her slightly disappointed.Joseph thought she did not want to talk about the subject so he did not press any further. The journey home was silent. After Chloe wished him good night, she went to her room to sleep.As Joseph watched her disappear up the stairs with a pensive expression on her face, he murmured, "Good night…"Chloe, still seething in anger, did not notice what Joseph said and went straight into her room.Upon coming downstairs the next day, a look of surprise spread across Joseph's face when he saw a lunchbox out on the table. C

"Not one bit," Joseph replied honestly.If she was not coming for his money, it meant he did not have the ability to make her go after it.Chloe found herself at a loss for words.'How could he be so insensitive?' she thought, ‘Any normal guy would be moved by such words, so why is his response so indifferent?'Chloe fixed her gaze upon the mirror, observing her reflection. She had been honing her cooking skills lately and her principles of minimizing waste had led her to consume everything she prepared, regardless of its flavor. Consequently, she had gained some weight—particularly around her cheeks—and no longer appeared as slim as she used to.Standing with her hands on her hips, Chloe declared, "I've made a decision. Starting today, I'm going to go jogging with you every morning! Be sure to wake me up!"Joseph's eyes narrowed, tinged with a hint of suspicion. "What scheme are you cooking up now?"Chloe had been waking up around ten lately and had not made him breakfast in a