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.

none of your concern. And as for cooking–this is the last

eat it.”

wasn’t trying to be heartless, but I couldn’t give him what he wanted, and I didn’t want to accept his care or affection if it meant

I ate the breakfast. It was delicious and gave me the energy I needed to face

to the office, a nagging thought weighed

rescind my job offer, but that didn’t mean I was safe. Perhaps

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< Chapter 102

knew I had to face

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department, greeted me warmly. “Welcome, Ms. Hart,” he

any intention to fire me, so I decided

Hall,” I began, “I heard that my former employer might have

my bluntness.

to gauge his intentions. “But you don’t seem to have any plans to

I fire you?” Alex asked, his tone light and casual.

you,‘ I

two feet. We don’t depend on or fear anyone. Our strength lies in our capabilities, and if someone is dissatisfied with us, we confront them with our

down.”

me with newfound

let

reassuring smile. “Just do your best. Even if

and confidence in me felt genuine, though I couldn’t help but feel there was

story.

to the company and the marketing department. He specifically instructed the deputy director and supervisor to cooperate

themselves, but I didn’t encounter any of that. Instead, I felt as though I was

my time at Mercer Corporation,

week, I threw myself into my work. I reviewed all the client files, analyzed the company’s available resources, and

a

the team to work harder, not just for the company but for themselves. It was

the marketing department began to thrive, trouble struck.

to terminate their contracts. Even potential clients

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immediately this

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had resorted to poaching our clients to