Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 66: Chapter 66

Elara gave Zoe a quick once-over, making sure her clothes were intact. Then she cut straight to the point. She asked, "Where's Adrian?"
Zoe stood firmly in the doorway, blocking Elara's path. She replied, "Mr. Hartley isn't feeling well. He's resting now."
"Then I'll wait for him inside," Elara said, making a move to enter.
But Zoe raised a hand to block Elara at the door. She said, "He's been having trouble sleeping lately. He just got to sleep. It's best not to disturb him now."
Hearing this, Elara frowned and thought, 'Has Zoe been staying here to look after Adrian lately? But I thought he hated having outsiders in his home.'
Elara suppressed her irritation and said, "I won't disturb him. I brought some fresh steak cuts to make him a meal."
Zoe replied, "If Mr. Hartley wants something to eat, he'll just have a top-tier chef come to his place. Why would he need you to cook for him? Besides, he's always been extremely particular about food. He won't even look at anything ordinary."
Elara dropped the polite act and shot back, "So, has any top-tier chef been cooking for him these days?"
Zoe remained silent. The truth was, she had no clue about Adrian's habits, let alone how he'd been eating lately.
Zoe was only at Adrian's place today to deliver an important document. She was just about to leave after dropping it off when, to her surprise, Elara showed up for a visit.
Lately, Zoe had tried every way possible to look after Adrian, but he simply wasn't having it.
Zoe lowered her gaze and replied, "Of course. Whatever Mr. Hartley wants to eat lately, I've been arranging for chefs to come to his place."
Elara snapped, "Oh, really? Zoe, you're such a little liar."
Zoe retorted defensively, "I didn't! When have I ever lied?"
Elara said, "Adrian hates having outsiders in his home. I bet you're only here today because something urgent came up. There's absolutely no way you've been staying here to look after him all this time."
Elara was just bluffing. She pondered, 'Victor said even he rarely visits Adrian's place, and when necessary, Adrian never lets him stay long. So, how could Adrian possibly have kept Zoe here?
'Once, when Adrian had a high fever, Susan would just drop off his three meals a day, tidy up, and leave right after. If she lingered, Adrian would flat-out ask her to go.'
Elara's bluff exposed Zoe's true colors. Zoe stood there, stunned and speechless.
Elara brushed past Zoe and stepped inside. Not seeing Adrian in the living room, she figured he must be resting in the bedroom, so she headed straight for the open kitchen with her groceries in hand.
Elara turned to Zoe and said pointedly, "Zoe, if you're done here, you should leave. Adrian doesn't like having outsiders in his home."
Zoe frowned and challenged, "Then, aren't you an outsider either?"
Elara tied on an apron and put her hair up with a clip. She responded patiently, "Susan asked me to take care of Adrian. Even though I'm not his assistant anymore, I still help with his daily life.
"Plus, Victor knew Adrian's shoulder pain was acting up and asked me to check in on him, too. One has been his assistant for five or six years, and the other has been his friend since childhood.
"Do you think someone like me, whom both of them trust to look after Adrian, is an outsider? Zoe, I remember you're just temporarily filling in as Adrian's assistant. The official position is still open for applications, right?
"You'd better get back to work. Not everyone's as free as I am. I have all the time in the world and don't even need to clock in."
Though Zoe was reluctant to go, she knew she was in the wrong. Choking back her frustration, she had no choice but to leave.
Finally, Elara had some peace. She took the chopped beef bones out of the bag, rinsed them clean, and put them in the stew pot to simmer over low heat.
She brought both filet mignon and sirloin steaks. She took out one cut to marinate and stored the rest in the fridge for freshness. She also prepared some pasta and fresh seasonal vegetables.
Adrian was extremely disciplined about his diet, strictly avoiding anything high-calorie or fatty. So Elara thoughtfully catered to his preferences and prepared some of his usual favorites.
Spotting the coffee maker, Elara tossed in some beans to grind. She figured that Adrian could have a fresh brew when he woke up. While she was at it, she made herself a cup first.
Elara had been completely absorbed in her cooking all evening, and before she knew it, over an hour had slipped by.
In the master bedroom of the suite, Adrian was jolted awake by a sharp pain in his shoulder. As consciousness returned, the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee reached him, making him frown.
Draping his gray silk robe over his shoulders, his face etched with exhaustion. He froze when he saw the scene in the open kitchen.
Plagued by insomnia and pain, Adrian was completely drained. He had survived for days on bland homemade sandwiches. Now, seeing the warm, bustling kitchen, he was struck by a feeling far deeper than mere surprise.
He thought, 'She is gone for two weeks, and now she finally bothers to show up?'
Adrian's frame had noticeably thinned. Exhaustion and pain had dulled the sharpness of his features. Even his deep-set eyes, once so intense, now seemed to have lost their intimidating edge.
Adrian made his way slowly behind Elara. The familiar scent of her hair, which he liked, drifted over to him, easing the persistent ache in his shoulder.
His gaze then fell on the rich, creamy beef bone broth simmering in the pot, the sizzling steak releasing its mouthwatering aroma, and a plate of freshly plated pasta still steaming hot.
He'd been lying in bed all day without eating a bite. The sight of the food before him made him feel hungry.
Methodically, Elara placed the seared steak onto the plate. As she picked it up and turned around, she almost collided with Adrian. Instinctively, she clutched the plate protectively and looked up at Adrian.
She jumped in fright. She thought, 'Seriously, does he walk around without making a sound?' Seeing Adrian frowning deeply and about to speak, she quickly placed her fingers over his mouth.
Elara said, "Adrian, I know you're about to kick me out. But can we call a truce for just one hour? Susan and Victor are both really worried about your health.
"They knew I could come to your place, so they asked me to check on you. Please, just eat first. I'll clean up and leave right after. I promise I won't stay a minute longer."
After speaking, Elara hesitantly lowered her hand. Seeing that Adrian stayed silent, she cautiously continued, "The steak was air-shipped from abroad, and the chef just trimmed the beef bones himself. They're fresh.
"I've been simmering the soup for over an hour. Let's eat first, okay? You'll need your energy to kick me out later."
Adrian remained silent, his gaze lowered as he watched Elara explain herself.
Elara felt nervous under his gaze. She quickly stepped over Adrian and placed the steak on the dining table.
Then she took a knife, fork, and napkin from the cabinet, arranging the knife and fork on either side of the plate and placing the napkin neatly beside it.
She ladled the rich beef bone broth into a large serving bowl and brought it to the table as well.
Seeing Adrian standing there motionless like a statue, Elara lightly touched his arm. When he didn't resist, she pulled him with more confidence to the table and sat him down.
She ladled out some broth into a small bowl and set it before Adrian. She said, "Dig in before the steak gets cold. It'll turn tough. Have some broth first to warm you up."
Adrian lifted the bowl, took a slow sip, and stayed silent.
Knowing Adrian preferred to eat undisturbed, Elara quietly slipped into the kitchen to tidy up.
Adrian picked up the knife and fork, wincing as he forced his aching shoulder to cooperate. With visible effort, he managed to cut a piece of steak and brought it to his mouth.
He stole a glance at Elara in the kitchen and ate his steak and pasta in silence.
After dinner, Adrian lounged on the sofa with a cigarette. Satiated from his meal, he looked much more refreshed and in better spirits.
Elara poured him a cup of coffee and set it on the coffee table. She said, "I noticed you were struggling to cut the steak just now. Is your shoulder acting up badly?"
Adrian remained silent, but his gaze fell on Elara, studying her intently.
Elara said, "I've been learning massage therapy from Frank these past two weeks. Would you like me to try it on your shoulder?"