Annie snapped back to her senses. She glanced at Aaron and said angrily, “Yes! That’s right! I love getting the cold shoulder! Are
you glad I said that? Didn’t I get the cold shoulder from you last time too? Do you have to be sarcastic about it? Does seeing me
like that make you happy?”
Aaron froze for a moment after her tirade and laughed again. “No, no! I’m giving you all the warmth from my shoulder! I’m on
your side now! Don’t be angry!”
Annie’s face felt flush. ‘What does he mean when he says he’s giving me all the warmth from his shoulder? What the hell is this
man talking about?’
Xante put down her cutlery and got up. “I’m full. You two go ahead.” She went back to her room, leaving Annie alone with Aaron,
who was smiling cheekily.
“I’m, uh... I’m going to check on Corinne!”
As soon as Annie tried to get up and leave, Aaron pulled her back and said, “Don’t bother her right now. She just wants to be
alone today.”
Annie had no choice but to sit back down. She had lost her appetite by then.
“Relax!” Aaron said with a smile. “I won’t gobble you up! You should eat more since you didn’t manage to eat much earlier. I’ll
wash the dishes once you’re done.”
“You’ll wash the dishes?” Annie did not expect him to offer to do that.
Aaron nodded. “Yes? I can’t expect you to wash the dishes when you’ve cooked for us.”
“Do you even know how to wash the dishes?” Annie raised her eyebrow curiously.
Aaron seized the moment to approach her and flirtily replied, “I don’t, unfortunately. Could you teach me?”
His tone, coupled with the distance between them, made Annie blush. “I...”
Aaron chuckled. “Okay, okay! I won’t tease you anymore! I’m not that dumb! Now eat up, or the food will be cold!”
“Okay...” Annie was still feeling a little awkward, but she did as he told and picked up the cutlery to start eating.
When Aaron saw that she was only eating potatoes, he placed some meat onto her plate and patiently waited for her to finish
eating.
Annie looked down at her food and did her best to avoid looking at Aaron. After all, she knew she would lose herself again if she
looked at him. He had been so gentle to her when she worked as his secretary, and that was why she fell deep into his trap.
At that time, Aaron’s tenderness toward her had a teasing quality, almost as if it was some sort of game.
However, that feeling was far different from what she felt while she ate. She could not tell exactly what was different, but it was
difficult for her to finish her meal in his presence.
Later that night, Jeremy returned to the Holdens reeking of alcohol.
Pamela, who had not slept a single wink, came out of the room as soon as she heard someone return. She was a little
disappointed when she discovered that only her grandson had returned. “Why are you alone, Jeremy? Didn’t you go and meet
Corinne?”
Jeremy tugged sullenly on his tie and sneered. “Why should I?”
Pamela caught a whiff of the alcohol from his body and frowned even more. “How much did you drink? Could someone please
get some soup to help with his hangover?”
One of the maids did as they were told and left immediately.
Pamela felt heartbroken as she looked at Jeremy sitting on the sofa.