Chapter b559 /b

    b50 /b

    65 vouchers

    Vanessa opened her door just in time to glimpse Brian’s figure disappearing down the stairs.

    She leaned over the railing, watching as he made his way toward the dining area. After a brief pause, she followed.

    In her mind, she was no less appealing than Jessica. The mood tonight was just right. Surely Brian wouldn’t remainpletely indifferent.

    And even if nothing came of it, making an impression now wouldn’t hurt. They still had plenty of filming ahead.

    As she walked, her lips curved into a soft, instinctive smile.

    Inside the dining room, Raymond had just sat down to eat with the crew. Noticing Brian, he quickly rose.

    Noticing Brian, he quickly rose. “Mr. Atkinson, is everything alright? Need anything?”

    He couldn’t afford to be casual with the show’s key investor.

    “I was hoping to borrow the kitchen,” Brian said. “Wanted to make something for Jessi before she sleeps. Would that be alright?”

    Vanessa, approaching from behind, caught the exchange. A pang of envy flickered in her chest. ‘Some men really do set the bar too high,‘ she thought.

    “Of course, of course. There are still ingredients in the fridge. Use whatever you need,” Raymond said with enthusiasm. A simple kitchen request was hardly a problem.

    Brian nodded and made his way toward the back kitchen.

    Vanessa trailed a few steps behind.

    Raymond noticed and asked casually, “Mrs. Hale, craving something too?”

    “No, just grabbing a drink,” she replied with a polite smile.

    Raymond nodded and left her to it. He returned to his meal, quickly finished up, exited with the others, leaving the kitchen quiet.

    Inside, Brian was already at work. His movements were practiced and unhurried.

    Soon, the warmth of garlic and tomato filled the air, a rich, familiar scent of pasta.

    and then

    b15:38 /bWedb, /bbSep /b10

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    b50 /b

    55 vouchers

    Vanessa loitered near the fridge, slowly scanning the shelves for a drink. Every bso /boften, she made a bit of noise, closing a door too firmly and shifting a bottle just loudly enough, but Brian didn’t look her way.

    When she saw him te the pasta and head toward the door, she grabbed a bottle at random and rushed after him.

    At the doorway, she was a step behind. Her foot twisted unexpectedly, and she stumbled toward him.

    Brian turned instinctively, dodging the fall while keeping the te steady.

    But Vanessa’s arm swung wide, striking the edge of the te. Hot sauce spilled, sshing across her hand.

    ”

    “Ah!” She flinched back, waving her hand, and in the process struck his chest twice.

    Brian didn’t respond immediately. Then, without raising his voice, he caught her arm with one hand, steadying her. The moment she regained bnce, he let go.

    “Thank you. I’m so sorry. I lost my footing,” Vanessa said, her voice flustered.

    Her n to fall into his arms had clearly misfired. Now she shifted tactics, offering a regretful smile and holding up her reddened hand.

    “Actually, my hands are insured. Just in case someone from the insurer reaches out, would you mind sharing a contact number? Of course, not forpensation, just for formalities…”

    “That won’t be necessary,” Brian interrupted.

    He pulled a ck card from his wallet and ced it in her hand.

    “There’s three hundred thousand on that. Should cover the damage.”

    With that, he turned and walked away, not sparing her another nce,

    Vanessa stood frozen, the card in her hand, cheeks flushed with humiliation.

    Brian, however, didn’t look back. As far as he was concerned, the matter was settled.

    His only thought now was to get the food to Jessi, while it was still warm.

    Jessica had just finished her evening routine and was applying skincare when the door opened. Turning around, she saw Brian entering, a te of pasta in hand.

    “That was quick,” she said with a casual nce, dabbing thest bit of lotion onto her cheeks before heading to the small coffee table.

    b15:38 /bWedb, /bbSep /bb10 /b

    50

    55 vouchers

    The timing couldn’t have been better. She was just starting to feel hungry.

    “Give it a try. Hope it’s to your taste,” Brian said, offering her a fork with a quiet smile.

    Jessica reached for it but paused mid–motion as a strong scent reached her nose.

    She frowned. “You ran into Vanessa, didn’t you?”

    She recognized the perfume immediately, Vanessa’s signature fragrance.

    Brian nodded slightly, then gave a brief ount of what had happened.

    The more she listened, the lessfortable Jessica felt. The scent hadn’t faded. It lingered around him, sharp and intrusive.

    “Could you… take a step back?” she said, hand half–covering her nose. She leaned away slightly, her difort evident.

    Brian noticed her reaction and immediately raised his hand to sniff the air around him. As he realized that the fragrance was likely from when Vanessa had leaned in too close earlier, his distaste for her grew even stronger.

    “Sorry, I didn’t realize,” he said.

    With that, he slipped off his jacket and headed for the door. “Go ahead and eat. I’ll get rid of thisb./bb” /b

    Jessica rxed almost immediately as the scent began to fade. “Alright, don’t be long.”

    Brian stepped outside and, without much thought, tossed the jacket into the nearest bin.

    Coincidentally, the bin was right along Vanessa’s way back to her room.

    As she came up the stairs, she caught sight of him throwing something away. Curious, she nced in and saw a very familiar, high–end jacket resting among the trash.

    Her fingers curled tightly into her palm. Bitterness surged, raw and sudden.

    ‘Why her? Why does she get it all?‘ she fumed.

    Back in the room, Jessica had just picked up her fork when she sneezed unexpectedly.

    Brian, returning just in time to hear it, immediately assumed the scent hadn’t fully cleared. He rushed to open a window and switched on the central air to ventte,

    Watching him fuss over it all, Jessica let out a quietugh. “You don’t need to panic. It was just

    a sneeze.”

    b15:39 /bWed, bSep /b10

    …

    :

    b50 /b

    55 vouchers

    “Still, let’s check your temperature after you eat. Just in case,” Brian said, worried she might catch a cold.

    Jessica, knowing better than to argue, quickly finished the food and let him take her temperature.

    When the reading came back normal, he finally eased.

    Jessica said, “Alright, everything’s fine. Now take the dishes down, brush your teeth, and get some rest. We’ve got an early flight.”

    “Okay.” Brian nodded, but instead of leaving, he took a moment to prepare her toothbrush and pour her a ss of mouthwash. Only then did he head downstairs with the empty bowl.

    During this trip, Jessica was being cared for in every possible way.

    Watching his back disappear down the stairs, she found herself wondering what life would look like without him.

    ‘Brian… I don’t think I can do without you anymore,‘ she mused.

    田