Chapter 983:

Pierre, lying back, spoke evenly. “Cooking wasn’t a natural talent for me. It took years to master.”

“For a girlfriend, perhaps?” Gemma probed.

“No, I don’t have one.”

She added, “An ex-girlfriend, I mean.”

Gemma recalled his distant gaze had suggested he was reflecting on a past romance. Maybe she reminded him of someone he once cared for, which explained his brief distraction.

Pierre stared at the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought. After a pause, he returned to the present. “Miss Hampton, you should rest.”

Gemma recognized his deflection and sensed he had once loved profoundly. Trying to change the subject, she murmured, “Sheila returns tomorrow, so you won’t have to overextend yourself by then.”

“The workload is manageable,” Pierre responded. “Attending to your needs is part of my job.”

At this, Gemma huffed and turned away from him.

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Silence enveloped the room until it was shattered by a knock at the door.

Gemma’s heart skipped a beat as she sat up quickly.

Corey’s voice penetrated the quiet. “Gemma, are you asleep?”

Gemma was taken aback. She hadn’t anticipated Corey’s sudden return, nor had she heard his car arrive. But now wasn’t the time for reflection. She caught Pierre’s eye, signaling, “It’s Corey. Hide, quickly.”

Pierre remained remarkably calm, as his association with Gemma was purely professional. Still, being found alone with Gemma at night broke the rules, and he was liable. Corey was particularly touchy about such matters. Pierre’s safety hung in the balance.

In a moment of survival instinct over pride, Pierre was shoved into the closet by Gemma.

Before Pierre could shut the door completely, Corey stepped into the room.

With a sharp bang, Gemma swiftly shut the closet door, her heart racing with fear.noveldrama

Corey raised an eyebrow. “You’re not asleep?”

Gemma took a moment to steady her breath before turning to face him, feigning surprise. “Corey? When did you get back?”

“Just now,” Corey explained, his tone measured. “I returned specifically to check on you. I knocked, but there was no answer, so I assumed you were asleep and let myself in.”

Noticing her light attire, Corey took her hand. It felt ice-cold. “You shouldn’t wear so little, even in summer,” he scolded gently. “Your health isn’t the best, and you can’t risk getting sick.”

Relieved Corey hadn’t sensed anything unusual, Gemma observed the weariness on his face and felt a twinge of sympathy. “Have you been working late again?”

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