Revenge is best served cold

Chapter 136 I Don't Want to See Him "You've been waiting all this time?"

Eric's gesture left me stunned. It took a moment before I found my voice again.

He nodded and stepped closer with that same gentle smile. "Don't feel guilty. I took a nap in the car."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over my exhausted face, a flicker of concern passing through his eyes. "But if you don't take a break and eat something soon, you're going to collapse."

Then, like performing a magic trick, he pulled out a thermal food container from behind his back and set it down in front of me. "It's from that chowder shop you like. I packed it in a thermal jar, so it should still be warm."

I took the container and unscrewed the lid. Sure enough, steam curled up from the chowder, carrying a familiar, comforting aroma.

I glanced at Eric after setting it down. "Wait here for a bit." Then, I stepped out of the office.

As expected, a few team members were still at their desks, working tirelessly. I pulled out my phone and transferred a small sum to each of them as a bonus.

They looked up in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Smiling, I said, "Stop working and go home. There's no way you'll finish everything in one night. Your health matters more. Go rest."

they finally

the office when the last of them was gone. I shot an apologetic look at Eric. "If it weren't

a murmur in the quiet room. "If it weren't

me down into a chair, then ladled out two

down my throat, filling the emptiness in my stomach and something deeper

seafood chowder you had last time.

and nodded

just plain chowder, it

now.

we finished our bowls. Warmth continued to spread through my tired limbs. I wanted to get back to work just a little longer, but Eric

at your desk right now, you'll spend the rest of your life as

one sentence crushed

And yet, fate

someone, the more

the first thing I saw was that nauseatingly familiar face. Jeremiah was standing at the entrance, looking as polished as ever in a sharp suit. The second his gaze landed on me, a smug smile

took a step back, my expression instantly darkening.

my spine. I refused to look at him directly and