Chapter 20
“What was that?” Monica asked as she gobbled up a sandwich in front of Izzy.
-What was w
was what?” she asked, looking up from her laptop, Monica had been so used to treating Izzy’s office like her own. sitting on the couch and eating her lunch
“You, talking to Calen like that,” Monica said, rolling her eyes. “Why the hell would you do that?”
“1 thought he needed a reality check,” Izzy calmly said. “His idea was wrong. I had to do something about it, or the whole project would fail”
“Izzy, you never talk to Calen like that,” Monica said, surprised fackered on her face What’s gotten into you?”
Izzy only
A shrugged. She went back to her laptop and pretended to type as she side–eyed Monica. Just as she expected.
was smirking. Not long after, Monica left her office. Izzy didn’t need to follow her to know what she would do next.
Izzy leaned back, smiling. The more Monica embellished her stories, the better it would be for Izzy. However, her silent celebration was interrupted when someone knocked on her door
“Anna, Izzy greeted her secretary with a smile. “I told you not to disturb me.” Anna had been her secretary for years knew exactly what “do not disturb” meant. Was it Calen again?
and
“Well, someone delivered your lunch, and I thought, since it’s already lunchtime, I could bring it to you while it’s still hot.”
Lunch Izzy frowned. She couldn’t remember ordering one. Asaf on cue, her phone vibrated. She opened it and immediately saw Liam’s message.
[Eat well.] This message came with a heart emoji.
Izzy blinked, wondering if she read the wrong thing. Childish, she thought inwardly. “Alright, please place it on the table.” Anna complied and quickly left the office. Seeing this, Izzy leaned back and quickly responded.
[You sent food?]
Almost immediately, a reply came. [You forgot lunch.]
[I didn’t?l
[I packed lunch, and you forgot to bring it.]
Izzy frowned and quickly dialed his number.
“What?” Liam answered almost immediately.
“You didn’t tell me you packed lunch?” Izzy asked, confused. She was pretty certain there was no lunch in the kitchen earlier.
“It was there,” he sounded amused. “Perhaps you were too focused on staring at my face to see it?”
Izzy didn’t know what to say, so she ended the call.
That man never failed to make her angry!
Izzy immediately eyed the purple lunch box on her table. Its cute, compact design was totally out of place in her minimalist office. She couldn’t help but notice the tiny printed flowers decorating the box–lavenders and daisies delicately scattered around the lid.
She got up and approached the table where the packed lunch was. From here, she could clearly see that it was a three-
Chapter 20
layered bento box, with each compartment stacked perfectly on top of the other. It was neatly secured by a sleek black band with a small tag reading Handmade with CareTM
She hesitated before removing the band and lifting the lid, curiosity overtaking her frustration. The top layer contained a carefully arranged assortment of dried flowers nestled alongside a few small, wrapped sweets. Tiny lavender sprigs lay alongside edible dried rose petals, and a folded note peeked out from under one of the sweets. She unfolded it, finding a short message scribbled in elegant handwriting: Thought this might make your day a bit sweeter.
Why is this man so childish? Biting back a smile, Izzy moved to the second layer. Inside, she found a variety of small dishes, all carefully crafted and presented in traditional ceramic divider Slices of juicy tamagoyaki rested beside a small, vibrant salad drizzled with a light sesame dressing. Just below the layers the noticed a small compartment with pickled radish, thinly sheed and presented in delicate fans.
The final layer was what stopped her entirely. Here, nestled carefully, was a dish that immediately brought her back to her grandfather’s table: tender, soy–marinated chicken paired with soft, fragrant rice and garnished with a sprinkle of scallions and sesame seeds. The scent alone flooded her with memories of family meals, warmth, and laughter.
Izzy was speechless. She hadn’t told Liam about these meals from her past, yet somehow, he’d managed to recreate them down to the smallest detail.
She quickly took her phone and sent another text.
[Thanks]
A reply immediately came.
hose were delicious, but I am better.]
-Izzy took a deep breath, hoping it was enough to calm her down. Then she responded, [Not sure about that!]
Meanwhile, a thick silence wrapped inside the boardroom as CEO Liam Horvath let out a chuckle after reading the latest text message on his phone. Since that odd phone call earlier, CEO Liam seemed to have completely changed his demeanor, smiling while holding his phone.
Many of his executives wondered what happened. Just minutes ago, the CEO was upset about a project in a foreign country. Then that phone call happened, and he completely changed!
While they didn’t know who the caller was, many were pretty certain that it was a woman!
Was the CEO finally getting another woman on the long list of celebrities and models he had been with?
Everyone looked at each other. However, none of those celebrities or models made the CEO smile like this! Was it someone special? It should be, right!? After all, the CEO shamelessly flirted in front of everyone else!
Was the CEO finally getting married?
“Ehem “Mondo cleared his throat, interrupting everyone’s creative thoughts. “Mr. Horvath, shall Mr. Jeung continue his report?”
“No need,” Liam got up from his chair. He placed his phone in his pocket and closed his suit. “I need you to make the changes that were suggested and submit the proposal by the end of the day. This meeting is adjourned.”
Without waiting for a response, Liam walked out of the boardroom, a silly smile still on his face. However, this smile completely vanished when he walked inside his office.
“Liam!” a woman in all–red clothing immediately got up. “You haven’t been answering my calls. Your father-
“What do you want?” Liam avoided the woman and walked straight to his desk. He then started reading the documents as if the woman wasn’t there in the first place. This woman was Liam’s stepmother, Margarette Horvath–a socialite who married
Chapter 201
his father years after Liam’s mother died.
“I brought you lunch,”
“Mondo, throw it away,” Liam immediately sail Mondo didn’t wait for Liam to rep
his words; he took the lunchbox away.
“Wait–Wait Liam, how could you do that?? Did you know”
“I know about the drug. Liam said as he finally lifted his gaze away from the document. “Now, I am giving you thirty seconds to leave my office or the police will be called. I can assure you that not even your husband can stop me from sending you to prison.”
“You–Margarette’s eyes widened. “What drug are you-
“Shall I just send the police to your niece, then?” Liam smiled, leaning back. “I’m sure she was aware of what you
“You already stopped the producers from investing in her film, and you wanted her to-”
did.”
“Twenty…” Liam said. “Twenty seconds or Mondo will have my lawyer submit all the documents that show I was drugged and file the case.”
“You–I was just trying to-
“Fifteen, Liam said.
“Fine” Margarette stomped her feet. “Fine! I am leaving. Wait until your father hears about this!”
Seeing the woman leave, Liam continued reading the documents
Sir, I have already talked to our contacts to ban Miss Charms from any modeling gig. The production of her film has been halted as well,” Mondo said. “She has been calling from different numbers since this morning. Shall we send some message?”
“Hmmm…” Liam closed the folder. “Have our legal team draft a cease and desist. I don’t want that woman spreading rumors about me. Threaten her with anything to keep her mouth shut. I need her out of my sight and out of the state.”
“Understood,” Mondo didn’t flinch. He simply nodded. “And I already sent the proof that you were drugged to Mr. Horvath,” Mondo added.
“Good,” Liam said. “Let him deal with his wife.”
“I also looked into the matters you asked about, and it seems Weiss Inc. is interested in the Macau project. Their VP, Mr. Calen Weiss, is leading it.” Mondo reported.
Wouldn’t that mean Izzy is going to be making those proposals again?” Liam snorted. “Alright, ask the team to draft a proposal as well.”
“P–Pardon?” Mondo looked at Liam, unsure if he had heard correctly.
“I said, make a proposal as well. We are going to Asia!”
“But Mrs. Horvath—”
“Are you underestimating my Izzy, Mondo?” Liam lifted an eyebrow.
1-
“Izzy’s no fool. She’ll savor the competition, relish it. Especially if that competition happens to be.. me.” Liam grinned, clearly impressed with his own brilliance, as if he’d just cracked the code to world peace.
Chapter 20
Mondo was at a loss for words. He couldn’t shake the feeling at something was about to go down inside the Horvath household.
SEND GIFT
