Chapter 281

Chapter 281

Flame kept the lollipop between her teeth, offering no immediate response. Those who knew her understood she operated purely on profit margins, rarely venturing into the murky waters of personal favors—too many people had learned the hard way that generosity was a luxury she couldn't afford.

Katherine quickly read her hesitation. "This wouldn't be charity work. Once I reclaim my position at Wilson Corporation and sort out this mess, I can guarantee you better rates. More than that, I promise the company will be significantly larger under my leadership than it is now."

That finally drew a smile from Flame, who nodded with amusement. "How did you figure out I'm such a mercenary? Seems you've got decent instincts for reading people."

Katherine looked puzzled. "Isn't everyone like that? Whether you're running a business or working for someone else, it's all about making money. By your logic, wouldn't that make me mercenary too?"

They shared a laugh, and just like that, their partnership was sealed.

The moment they stepped out of the meeting room, Flame discarded her lollipop, her expression returning to its earlier severity. Katherine made a point of taking a deep breath as she emerged, affecting the demeanor of someone who'd just endured a thorough dressing-down.

The two women walked out one after the other, and the colleagues lurking around corners assumed Katherine had committed some serious offense and been summoned to the break room for a private scolding.

"This won't affect company operations, will it? I was just following Ms. Brown's instructions. If you ask me, Katherine's the real problem around here," whispered one woman to her colleague from behind a corner.

Another woman studied Katherine with curious eyes. "Ms. Wilson is certainly attractive. And seems she's got real capability too."

"Even though everyone's saying the Martinez Group cast her aside, she's managing just fine with those two kids. And while rumors keep circulating about her divorce, no one's actually seen the papers. Something doesn't add up."

"But didn't Ms. Brown say this Ms. Wilson got those children from sleeping around when she was with the Wilson family? All those scandals? Ms. Brown's connected to the Wilsons—she'd have no reason to lie," the first woman frowned.

Her companion shook her head, clearly wanting no part in the gossip. She stood to leave, but after a few steps, turned back with a warning for the woman who'd eagerly helped Stella target Katherine: "I'd be careful if I were you. If Ms. Wilson somehow manages to get back into Wilson Corporation, your job might not survive the transition."

Inside the boutique, Katherine posted a "Store Renovation" sign before diving into a complete overhaul of the layout and service approach. Her shopping list stretched impressively long, with detailed notes for Monica on the particularly crucial items—so clear and specific that mistakes would be virtually impossible.

Wilson Corporation kept unconventional hours, starting late but ending even later. It wasn't until seven-thirty that Katherine finally locked up, changed clothes, and left the mall.

Flora was in Michael's capable hands, which was routine enough not to worry her. But Edward, under Howard's inexperienced care, was another matter entirely.

When she checked her phone, she found multiple missed calls from Howard. Given their limited communication, her heart clenched with the fear that something had happened to Edward. She called him back while hurrying toward the hospital.

Howard answered from his bedside vigil, and Edward's clear voice carried through the speaker: "You mean this spot, I'm talking about over here. Barry, you've got it all wrong!"

Katherine paused, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Barry's awake! Thank God! I'll have the driver turn around to get blueberry cake—he missed the one I brought last time."

Her joy left her nearly speechless, with only thoughts of blueberry cake circling through her mind.

Howard held the phone, glancing at the untouched mini blueberry cake on the nightstand. "Sure, go ahead and get one."

Katherine hummed her agreement and hung up, immediately arranging for express delivery service.

After setting down his phone, Howard felt puzzled, his gaze shifting between Barry and the blueberry cake. Why would Katherine insist Barry loved blueberry cake when he'd refused to touch the one Arabella had brought, expressing strong distaste for it?

Edward seemed to share some maternal telepathy with Katherine. "Has Mommy finished work? She probably hasn't eaten yet. Howard, could you have someone prepare dinner and send it over?"

Howard was thinking the same thing, but just as he reached for his phone, someone knocked at the door.

"Edward, it's me and Uncle Michael!" Flora's young voice called from the hallway.

Edward bounded over to open the door. The moment it swung open, Flora spotted Barry lying awake in the hospital bed.

She looked smugly at Michael. "I told you Barry seemed to be waking up, but Uncle Michael didn't believe me, so I made him bring me to check. Is Mommy coming too?"

She added, "Uncle Michael made dinner at home to bring to Mommy. The taste isn't great, but it's the thought that counts—Mommy will definitely appreciate it!"

Faced with Flora's blunt critique, Michael felt mortified. Someone had once told him that cooking, driving, and singing were controlled by the same brain region. While Michael excelled at racing, he was utterly hopeless with cooking and singing—the kind of hopeless that no amount of practice could fix.

Edward took Flora's hand and led her to Barry's bedside. Barry looked much better, his eyes crinkling as if he were smiling.

Michael watched the children's retreating figures with resignation. "You two are impossible to please. Your mother would never say my cooking tastes awful."

He settled onto the room's sofa, placing the insulated container on the coffee table. A large hand grasped the handle, and Howard expressionlessly lifted the lid before sitting beside Michael with the same blank expression. He took a few bites, then methodically finished every last morsel.

Michael stared in disbelief. Edward, who'd recently witnessed Howard telling the nanny he wasn't hungry, was equally stunned.

After finishing, Howard pulled several bills from his wallet and placed them under the container. "Is this enough? I can add more if needed. Sorry about that—I was actually quite hungry, hadn't eaten earlier."

"You—!" Michael's face flushed with indignation, though he had to admit the logic was sound. "This was my first attempt at cooking. I wanted Katherine to give me some feedback, but now that you've eaten it all, what's she supposed to eat?"

Howard waved dismissively, snapping his fingers with practiced ease. Staff members emerged from the adjoining room carrying a small table equipped with warming plates, laden with carefully preserved and heated dishes.

"I had this prepared earlier. If you're still hungry, help yourself—though given your culinary skills, I doubt you'll want much. You don't need Katherine's critique; I can tell you everything you need to know."