"Is it me? Am I just not attractive enough? Is that why he wasn’t interested, even when I was practically throwing myself at him?"The thought left her strangely annoyed. She grabbed her phone and sent Joseph another message."You know what? Forget lunch. I’ll feed it to the dogs instead."Joseph stared at the message, his face a mix of exasperation and amusement. He sent back a string of question marks, his way of expressing his bewilderment at Mason’s antics."What’s with all the question marks? Are you reflecting on your behavior?" Mason fired back almost instantly.Joseph shook his head, chuckling to himself. This woman really had a knack for saying the most outrageous things."I’ll wait for you in the office," Joseph replied simply to Mason Alvarez’s message."Wait for what? I already told you, your lunch has been thrown away," Mason shot back."You didn’t throw it away," Joseph replied confidently."Then starve for all I care!" Mason retorted.Joseph didn’t bother responding fur

"Greed is human nature," her grandmother replied meaningfully.As they chatted, one dish after another was brought to the table, filling it to the brim. Tonight’s dinner was indeed a feast."Grandma, could we have the servants leave while we eat? I’d like to have a simple family dinner with just you," Heidi said after a moment’s thought."Of course," the old woman agreed after a brief pause, sensing that Heidi had something on her mind. She turned to the servants and said, "You’re all dismissed. Miss Heidi will keep me company tonight."The servants quickly complied, leaving the hall one by one. Her grandmother even walked to the door herself to close it, her movements deliberate. Watching her, Heidi felt a slight tug at her heart. It seemed her grandmother had already guessed that she had something important to say."Come, sit down. Let’s eat first. I made all your favorites," her grandmother said warmly, placing a few pieces of food on Heidi’s plate. "The food at home must not be ve

Dinner stretched into the evening, lasting until after seven. Afterward, Heidi lingered at the Cooper family estate, chatting with her grandmother and watching television.By the time she finally left, it was close to ten. She got into the car, reaching her apartment complex just before eleven.As she stepped out of the car and began walking home, she took out her phone and called Joseph.The call connected quickly."Hello? Joseph, are you still awake?"Heidi asked casually."No. How did things go?"Joseph’s voice came through the phone."No issues. Grandma supports you. The time is set for two in the afternoon—you can come a little earlier.""She also asked me to tell you she’s craving your chilled lotus seed soup. She wants to know if you can bring some for her."Heidi relayed the message directly.There was a brief pause before Joseph responded."Alright, I understand.""Joseph, I’ll be there too. I can’t just let you go alone. Let’s set a time and head over together."Heidi sugges

"Then make sure to prepare well. Tomorrow, I’ll be watching you closely."Leonard Sanchez reminded him.After bidding farewell, Joseph left the office.The distance between Leonard Sanchez’s office and Joseph’s own was short, and soon, he was back in his workspace.Inside, Felix Baker, Brady Rogers, and Mason Alvarez were all present.Joseph walked in, greeting Felix Baker and Brady Rogers with a smile. However, Mason Alvarez merely shot him a glare, leaving Joseph speechless.Settling into his seat, Joseph spent about ten minutes wrapping up some unfinished work."Professor Baker, Professor Rogers, I’m done for the day. Since I have no afternoon classes, I’ll be heading out now. Time to enjoy my weekend. See you next week."Joseph said casually."Professor Wilson’s schedule is enviable—getting an extra half-day of rest just like that."Felix Baker teased."Well, Professor Wilson is still in his adjustment phase. The principal and Professor Sanchez didn’t assign him too heavy a worklo

She jogged up to the car and slid effortlessly into the passenger seat."Tsk, tsk, tsk. You only have eyes for your precious Joseph, huh? Didn't even spare a glance for your dear Mason-senpai?" Mason Alvarez teased from the backseat."What are you talking about? I saw both of you, okay?" Alice blinked innocently, her expression utterly sincere."Joseph, let’s stop and buy some beer and snacks on the way back!" she suggested eagerly. "Mason-senpai said she’s covering everything today, so we can go all out! I’m thinking Australian lobster, hairy crab, A5 Wagyu beef… Oh! There’s so much! I need to write it all down so we don’t forget anything!""Wait, wait, you little troublemaker! When did I ever say you could go all out? I only said I’d treat you today!" Mason Alvarez quickly corrected her."Isn’t that the same thing?" Alice responded with an innocent look."Since you’re paying, I don’t have to hold back!"Joseph chuckled. "Well then, don’t worry. I’ll make sure both lunch and dinner a