<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Yvette looked at Lucas with a faint smile, leaning back on the sofa and drumming her fingers idly. She wondered, ‘What is Zachary trying to achieve with this charade?‘ She couldn’t quite tell but found Zachary’s antics mildly entertaining.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Yvette said, “Oh, it’s just missing one meal, don’t make a fuss.” Her attitude was as indifferent as could be, leaving Lucas even more puzzled.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Lucas wondered if something had happened between Ms. Zeller and Mr. Chambers that he didn’t know about. Lucas was baffled. But since the scene had reached this point, he had to brave it, thankfully backed by decades of experience.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">With a heavy sigh and a seasoned poker face, Lucas continued, “Ms. Zeller, food is essential, especially at Mr. Chambers‘ age. He can’t go skipping meals with a fever.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">His health just isn’t what it used to be, and he’s never been a big eater. It would mean a lot if you’d go upstairs and check on him.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Yvette raised an eyebrow and nced toward the staircase, where she noticed a faint shadow behind the column.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">With an amused smirk, Yvette gave Lucas an order. “Fine. Go tell him I’m here. If he doesn’te down and eat, he’ll deal with the consequences himself.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Lucas’s mouth twitched at her bluntness–Nothing like a daily dose of Ms. Zeller’s no–nonsense charm.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Before Lucas could respond, Zachary emerged from behind the column, stumbling down the stairs with a hand on his forehead, face pale and moving as if every step had taken a monumental effort.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Feeling surprised, Zachary called out, “Oh, Yvette! I had no idea you’d be here. I specifically told Lucas not to bother you. You do not need to worry about something so minor.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Lucas froze for a moment before turning to see Zacharying downstairs. Mr. Chambers’s words, even the slyest pretenders couldn’t beat his act.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Lucas was almost in tears but could only nod reluctantly. Mr. Chambers waspletely under Ms. Zeller’s control. After hearing what she said, Mr. Chambers headed downstairs without another word–a ssic, doting father to his core.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Turning dutifully to Yvette, Lucas said, “Ms. Zeller, I’m afraid the call was my decision alone. Mr. Chambers didn’t ask me to call you.”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Zachary sank onto the sofa beside Yvette, coughing weakly as he gave her a pleading look. “Now, don’t be hard on Lucas. He was just worried. Next time, don’t trouble her over such a small issue,” he told Lucas, clearly trying to maintain his “fragile”</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Lucas gritted his teeth, wishing that Mr. Chambers would stage his own drama next time without pulling him into it.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Yvette gave Zachary a cool, amused nce, crossing her legs as she rested her chin in her hand. ‘Not bad, she thought, ‘He’d certainly perfected the “frail heart” act.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Out of courtesy–and curiosity–she decided to y along, wondering what exactly he was up to.</font></font>
“Why aren’t you taking your medicine? And why skip a meal?” Yvette asked.
Caught off guard by her direct questions, Zachary hesitated. He thought, ‘If I had actually taken medicine or eaten, she probably wouldn’t have rushed back.
But Zachary couldn’t risk saying that out loud—Yvette had little patience for nonsense. So he gave her his best pitiful look. “Yvette, the medicine is too bitter… and anyway, it won’t fix what’s really wrong,” he sighed, looking thoroughly miserable.
This is a psychological issue, you see, and medicine can’t cure that.”
Lucas kept his head down, struggling not to grimace. His inner critic marveled at his boss’s ability to “y up the charm,” while inwardly, he found the performance a bit too much.
Yvette’s delicate fingers stilled as she fixed Zachary with her striking gaze, cutting right through the act. “Speak inly.
Zachary straightened up instantly, the power in those two words snapping him back to attention. Even Lucas gave an approving nod. It seemed only Yvette could keep Mr. Chambers in line.
Clearing his throat, Zachary patted his chest and ventured, “Yvette, I think I may be struggling with depression. I looked up the symptoms online, and… well, I fit all of them.”
His expression was so earnest that even Lucas, who knew the whole scheme, had to admit it was convincing.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.
But Yvette just raised an eyebrow, sipping her tea as she stared him down. “Diagnosing yourself online?” she replied, voice cool. “Well, you should know that online diagnoses start with cancer, at the very least. Didn’t you know?”
Zachary blinked in confusion and looked over to Lucas, utterly baffled. He thought the online diagnosis was popr. He clearly had a lot to learn about the subtleties of modern life.
Lucas had no choice but to step forward and ease the situation. “Ms. Zeller, Mr. Chambers has been unwell for quite some time now. He’s been feeling down,cking appetite, and often seems lost in thought.
In fact, he’s even made a few costly mistakes at work, losing billions in revenue. The family doctor rmended he take a good rest, but he’s been too worried about thepany to follow through. Things are only getting worse.”
Zachary couldn’t have been prouder of Lucas’s smooth performance. Lucas’s left leg was trembling a bit under Yvette’s gaze. You can’t me him; no one can withstand the intensity of Ms. Zeller’s stare.
Zachary nodded, adding, “Yes. But don’t you worry, Yvette? I’ll keep pushing through. I’ll make sure the Chambers Group stays in good hands.” He then put on a show of weakly covering his mouth, faking a small cough, looking pitiful.
The Chambers Group was no longer Zachary’s; it now belonged to Yvette. In reality, Zachary was just a highly paid employee–though that was something outsiders didn’t know.
Yvette watched the two of them, and as the dots connected, her eyes narrowed slightly. So, this whole act was to convince her to take over thepany. She could practically feel Zachary waiting for her to say, “Fine, let me take over for now.”
Then Zachary would effortlessly hand over thepany to Yvette, which was a perfect n.
But as Zachary looked at her with hope and anticipation, Yvette gave a calm nod and replied, “Since you’re convinced you can handle it, keep working then.”
Zachary’s expression froze, and a wave of disappointment washed over him. Lucas shot him a sympathetic nce; the grand n had crumbled right before their eyes. Yvette, as ever, was not one to bend easily.
Zachary’s crushed expression nearly brought a smirk to Yvette’s lips. After a pause, Zachary finally gave in with a sigh, ending his performance.
He said sadly, Fine. I’ll take my medicine and eat. Go on back to ss, then. We’re having steak for dinnere home and join us.*
Yvette looked at Zachary nkly and started to walk toward the door but paused before stepping out. ‘Might as well let him have a little victory, she thought.
Without turning back, Yvette said in a cool tone, “One week. I’ll manage the Chambers Group for one week.”