More Than A Favor

< More Than A Favor

Chapter 102

It was 5:00 AM when I woke up.

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I rolled out of bed early, determined to start the day with yoga to prepare myself for a challenging new workday. I wanted to feel fully energized and ready to tackle anything that came my way.

By 6:00 AM, I was washed up, dressed, and ready to make breakfast when my phone buzzed with a text message from Ashton.

“”Breakfast is on the table. The key is hanging on your door.”

I stared at the message for a few moments, feeling a mix of surprise and confusion. Curiosity got the better of me, so I opened my front door. Sure enough, there was a key hanging from the handle.

I used it to unlock Ashton’s door and found the breakfast he had prepared, neatly laid out and still

warm.

Last night, I hadn’t been able to refuse his dinner invitation. The food had been too tempting, and honestly, his cooking skills were impressive. But now, breakfast too?

‘Was he planning to be my personal caretaker?‘

While it was undeniably nice to be pampered so early in the morning, I couldn’t let myself get used to it. It was too much, and I didn’t want to blur the lines of our so–called “pretend” relationship..

So, I sent Ashton a message.

“Ashton, are you looking for a side job?”

He replied almost immediately.

“Yeah, just pay me a little fee for my efforts, Ms. Hart.”

I rolled my eyes at his playful response, but I knew very well that wasn’t his true intention. After a few moments of thought, I sent another message.

“Ashton, you’re crossing the line. We’re just pretending to date.”

His reply came just as quickly.

“Even though the relationship is fake, I still need to take care of your health during this period. Otherwise, as your pretend boyfriend, I’d have to worry about you.”

I sighed. I hadn’t asked for his care or concern, so I responded firmly.

role. Besides that, my life and health are none of your concern. And as for cooking–this is the last time. If

eat it.”

couldn’t give him what he wanted, and I didn’t want to accept his care or affection if it meant leading him on. I needed to set boundaries.

and gave me the energy I needed to face the day.

office, a nagging thought weighed on my

department hadn’t called to rescind my job offer, but that didn’t mean I was safe. Perhaps they were waiting to terminate me

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< Chapter 102

I knew I

>

marketing department, greeted me warmly.

fire me, so I decided to address the

heard that my former employer might have interfered with my employment here. Is

bluntness. “Yes,”

“But you don’t seem

would I fire you?” Alex asked, his tone

is pressuring you,‘ I

committed to standing on our own two feet. We don’t depend on or fear anyone. Our strength lies in our

down.”

words filled me with

won’t let you down,” I

your best. Even if

though I couldn’t help but feel there was more to

story.

department. He specifically instructed

new hires faced numerous challenges to prove themselves, but I didn’t encounter any of that. Instead,

were flattering, I had always believed in earning my place through hard work. Even during my time at Mercer Corporation, when I held the status of Logan’s fiancée, I had refused to be just a decorative figure.

threw myself into my work. I reviewed all the client files, analyzed the company’s available resources, and studied the performance of every marketing employee over the past two years,

and implemented a new incentive and

motivate the team to work harder, not just for the company but for themselves. It was also my way of repaying the company for taking a chance

just as the marketing department began to thrive, trouble struck.

Even potential clients we were negotiating with were suddenly delaying decisions or finding

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knew immediately this

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he couldn’t force the company to fire me, he had resorted