Chapter 57 The Sweet Deal

Chapter 57 The Sweet Deal

The afternoon sunlight sliced through the kitchen window at a slant. Emily was in the middle of making the Sacher torte, the rich aroma wafting out from the kitchen.

In the living room, Zoey frowned at the dense data on Morris's computer screen, then casually grabbed the remote and turned on the television. With a romantic comedy playing in the background, she leaned closer to Morris and asked, "Morris, where did you find such an amazing housekeeper before? Why didn't you renew her contract?"

Morris's fingers paused over the keyboard. The subject of not renewing Emily's contract had been like a thorn in his heart for quite some time. Now that Zoey had touched on this sensitive spot, his Adam's apple bobbed once as he replied stiffly, "Just watch your show."

"You're so cold!" Zoey pouted. "Girls like gentle men, you know. And here you are, working on your laptop on a weekend. Dating you must be so boring."

"What kind of men do girls like, then?" Morris's voice suddenly softened, his fingers hovering above the keyboard.

Zoey's eyes lit up as she leaned closer to whisper her dating secrets in his ear.

"That's my specialty," Zoey settled beside him. "Your natural advantages are decent enough—good looks, physique, and money all check out. Your only flaw is being too somber. You should try to understand her interests, create some common topics of conversation. And most importantly, make time for her instead of constantly analyzing your reports. Got it?"

"Fine," Morris replied flatly.

Zoey gave him a disapproving look. "Such a cold-hearted man."

At that moment, the kitchen door opened gently as Emily emerged carrying the freshly baked Sacher torte. The deep brown cake was glazed with mirror-like chocolate sauce and precisely bordered with sliced almonds. The aroma instantly filled the entire living room.

"Afternoon tea is served," she said with a smile, placing the cake on the coffee table before turning to fetch the lattes.

Looking at the dessert spread that screamed calories, Zoey swallowed hard and instinctively touched her stomach. "Won't this make me gain weight?"

"Look how thin you've become," Emily placed a slice of cake in front of her, her voice carrying the gentle certainty she once used to persuade clients. "The calories in one slice of cake are less than what you burn during a night shoot. Just eat it first—it's only one slice, how much weight could you possibly gain?"

Zoey swallowed again and said, "Alright, just one bite. A small one."

She took a forkful of cake, and the delicious chocolate sauce melted in her mouth, giving her a long-forgotten joy of savoring good food.

Her nose tingled with emotion. She used to be someone who loved food, but now she had become an anorexic. Thinking about her years of struggling in the entertainment industry with so little progress, she wondered if she should continue pursuing acting.

In fact, when she first mentioned wanting to act, it seemed more like a casual comment. But when Winter opposed it, she stubbornly insisted on trying, almost out of rebellion.

Zoey had several more bites of cake and several sips of coffee before stopping when her stomach felt too full.

"Can I take some home for a midnight snack?" Zoey sniffled, her voice slightly shaky.

Emily was about to agree when she realized the cake was already reduced to just the plate. She smiled and turned around. "Of course. I'll make another one—it's a good chance to try a new recipe."

Morris watched Emily's retreating back, the displeasure in his eyes growing more intense. He had originally planned to spend the day alone with Emily, but Zoey had suddenly appeared and was now sending her back to the kitchen.

His irritation deepening, he gritted his teeth and said to Zoey, "Go help her in the kitchen."

"What? I'm afraid I'll just get in Emily's way," Zoey shrank back.

"You might not know how to cook, but you can at least hand her things, can't you?" Morris's voice turned cold. "You barely know each other, yet you're so comfortable letting her wait on you?"

Zoey's face reddened at his rebuke, and she obediently went to the kitchen. Before long, laughter erupted from inside—apparently Zoey had accidentally splashed egg whites on her face, causing Emily to burst into laughter.

Morris sat in the living room listening to the commotion in the kitchen, his fingers gripping the mouse tightly. Emily seemed to get along easily with everyone, yet whenever she was with him, she always seemed tense. Was he really the boring man Zoey described?

In the kitchen, Zoey and Emily were getting along wonderfully.

Zoey found Emily fascinating—she could discuss stocks and financial reports with Morris, yet also chat about pets and gossip with her. Plus, she was an excellent cook. She was practically perfect.

The more they talked, the more Emily was drawn to this energetic young woman. Zoey had maintained her innocence and cheerfulness despite growing up with every material comfort, which Emily found both rare and enviable.

"Are you still working as a housekeeper?" Zoey suddenly asked.

"Yes, today is the weekend. My employers went out, so they gave me the day off."

"I'm sorry for making you do all this on your day off," Zoey said, sticking out her tongue apologetically.

"It's fine. Actually, making good food is how I relax. And seeing people enjoy what I make gives me a great sense of achievement."

Zoey sighed. "I'm the unfortunate one. I've never felt any sense of achievement."

"When you find a career you're willing to dedicate your life to, you'll find that sense of achievement," Emily said. "Even though you haven't had any particularly impressive roles yet, you're still persisting with acting. Just for that alone, I admire you."

"I can't tell if you're comforting me or criticizing me," Zoey replied.

Emily laughed. "Neither—it's admiration."

"You're too nice. I'm tempted to steal you away as my housekeeper. By the way, when does your current contract end?"

"I only signed a one-month contract, and it's almost up. My employer hasn't mentioned renewal, so I guess they probably won't continue."

Felicity's condition had been improving steadily, and the three of them were getting along harmoniously as a family. They never really had the habit of hiring a housekeeper in the first place, so Emily expected they wouldn't renew the contract once it expired.

Zoey's eyes brightened. "Then would you consider becoming my housekeeper? I'll pay you whatever Morris was paying. You know my relationship with my mother isn't good—her paranoia has been getting worse lately. I want to move out, but I can't even cook pasta."

Emily paused briefly, then nodded. "Sure."

Emily had been planning to ask Drew to help find her a new employer in the next few days, but now she'd secured one on her own. After spending the day with Zoey, she found her to be a pleasant employer.

Zoey was innocent and lively, always speaking her mind, without any spoiled temperament. She would make an excellent employer.

Later, when Emily went to the garden to feed Yoyo her homemade cat food, Zoey proudly shared the good news with Morris.

Morris immediately grabbed Zoey, gritting his teeth as he said, "I let you stay here out of kindness, and you repay me by stealing my housekeeper?"