After changing, Janelle went downstairs and saw Erik waiting by the stairs as expected. Today, he had prepared a business suit for her: a black shirt and trousers. Janelle tucked the shirt into the trousers. Even so, her waist looked so slender it seemed you could span it with one hand.
"I made breakfast. Try it." Knowing she truly detested those bitter medicinal brews, he'd learned how to prepare medicinal cuisine instead, hoping it would be more palatable.
Janelle followed him to the dining table. Seeing the spread, she raised an eyebrow. "You made all this?"
"Mmm. Don't worry, I'll definitely get better." This was just the beginning.
"..."
Erik pulled out a chair for her. Janelle sat, and he placed a bowl of porridge in front of her.
"Have some porridge. I made it. The buns, though, I had delivered." He was certainly intelligent, but cooking was something he needed to learn gradually. Especially since the girl was quite particular; if it wasn't good, she simply wouldn't eat it.
Janelle obliged him by taking a sip of the porridge. It was actually quite well-made.
"What time did you get up?" He probably hadn't slept well last night. His back injuries were severe, forcing him to sleep face down.
"Seven-thirty." Cooking good porridge was an art. To ensure she ate more, he'd experimented many times. Bryan had taste-tested several batches, becoming his dedicated guinea pig.
"Is it good?"
"It's congee?" Didn't plain congee all taste the same?
"Mmm. But I made this one."
"Even if you made it, it's still plain congee. Though, it does taste quite nice." When a man wanted to conquer a woman, he really could humble himself.
"Mmm, delicious, right? Then eat more."
"..." Fine. Let's call it delicious then.
Janelle obliged by finishing a bowl of porridge and eating two steamed buns. Erik also had two bowls of porridge but skipped the buns.
After breakfast, Janelle moved to clear the table, but Erik stopped her.
"The housekeeper will take care of it later. Come on, I'll drive you to the office."
"Mmm."
Janelle didn't insist. Her hands were injured, and getting them wet wasn't ideal.
Erik dropped her off at Blue Whale Co., Ltd. Just as Janelle was about to get out, he caught her fingers.
"What?"
"A kiss."
"..."
Janelle was truly speechless. Was this man addicted to kissing? Why did he always want a kiss?
Janelle gave a perfunctory peck on his lips, then pushed the car door open and got out. Watching her retreating figure, a smile touched Erik's lips. He watched until she entered the building before driving away.
Blue Whale Co., Ltd.
Janelle's appearance caused a stir. Everyone looked stunned. Wasn't Miss Rovella supposed to have died in that explosion last night? How was this girl so resilient?
Her project team members, however, broke into relieved smiles upon seeing her. Thank goodness Miss Rovella was back safe. Otherwise, their hard work would have been stolen.
"Where's Linda?" Janelle asked.
"Miss Rovella, Mrs. Evans demanded we hand over all the project documents. She said she's taking over the project."
"Linda was called away by Mrs. Evans's secretary over half an hour ago. She hasn't come back yet. We don't know what's happening." Kevin was genuinely worried about Linda.
"Alright. I understand." Janelle immediately put down her files and headed straight for Amber's office.
Amber's secretary, Jiang, saw her coming and froze momentarily in shock. How was this woman still alive? That massive explosion hadn't killed her? She quickly rose to block Janelle's path.
"Miss Rovella, Mrs. Evans has a guest. It's not convenient for you to go in."
"Move aside," Janelle warned calmly.
Secretary Jiang couldn't possibly comply. "Miss Rovella, I'm just an employee. Don't make things difficult for me."
"I said, move." This secretary had been Amber's confidante for years and was deeply involved in the events of five years ago.
Secretary Jiang stood her ground. Janelle shoved her aside forcefully. Jiang lost her balance and fell to the floor.
"Miss Rovella! What did I do? How could you treat me like this? Yes, Blue Whale pays my salary, but I earn it through my work! How can you do this?" Jiang yelled loudly, drawing attention from others.
Janelle crouched in front of her, gripping her chin tightly. "Secretary Jiang, have you forgotten that I'm also your superior? I'm merely here to retrieve my person. Why are you blocking me?" Janelle's gaze was terrifying.
Secretary Jiang trembled involuntarily. "Miss Rovella, I—"
Janelle leaned close to her ear, her voice a low, dangerous whisper. "Secretary Jiang, perhaps it's time to recall what you did five years ago?"
Secretary Jiang's face instantly drained of color. Five years ago, while working at Blue Whale, Amber had bribed her, and she'd done things that betrayed Madalyn. Those actions were supposed to be secret. How did Janelle know? Since Janelle's return, Jiang had lived in constant fear. If Janelle discovered what she'd done, she'd never let her go. That's precisely why she didn't want Janelle taking control of Blue Whale.
Janelle smoothed Secretary Jiang's disheveled hair. "Secretary Jiang, your retribution is coming." With that, Janelle stood up and kicked Amber's office door open.
Hearing the commotion, Amber was about to lose her temper but froze when she saw it was Janelle. Linda, seeing her arrive, felt the heavy stone in her heart finally drop.
"Janelle, what is this?" Amber asked, trying hard to stabilize her composure.
Janelle ignored her. Her eyes fixed on Linda's red, swollen cheek. She walked over to Linda and gently lifted her chin, carefully examining the injury.
"Miss Rovella, I'm fine." Linda had refused Amber's demands and been slapped twice for it. Her skin was delicate, swelling instantly.
"Linda, didn't I teach you? If you get hit, you hit back." People couldn't always let others bully them.
"I know." Linda looked at Janelle with concern. Madalyn had been driven mad by this very woman. Linda had always worried about Janelle's mental state.
Hearing Janelle's words, Amber felt a flicker of unease. This Janelle truly did hit people since her return.
"Go on. Hit her back." Janelle was fiercely protective. Linda had chosen her side, chosen to stand by her mother. Janelle wouldn't let her suffer.
"Janelle, what are you doing? I was just disciplining an insubordinate subordinate for you!" Amber protested.
"Are you sure you won't do it?" Janelle frowned. Why was she hesitating? She was backing her up! What was there to fear?
"Miss Rovella, I'm really fine. Let's go back." Blue Whale hadn't been reclaimed yet. Linda didn't want Janelle to alienate everyone for her sake.
"Fine? You call this fine?" Janelle's eyes flashed dangerously. She kicked over a nearby chair.