<b>So </b>it was you, Charlotte said, hershes lowering. Her tone gave nothing away.
“So you figured it out?” Sean let out a low chuckle, “Scott bought me a coffee, so I figured I’d return the favor with afternoon tea. I’ve never liked owing people ”
When he visited the firm earlier, Span had noticed just how young the staff was. Receptionists, assistants, Junior attorneys–most of them looked under thirty. He had turned to his assistant, Sam, and asked, “What do young people in offices like to eat and drink these days?”
Sam rattled off a long list.
Sean nodded, “Order afternoon tea for Charlotte’s firm. Handle it yourself,” he in
he instructed.
“Scott <b>wants </b>to score points with coffee? Fine–I’ll raise the stakes with afternoon tea,” he thought.
Sam, ever meticulous, knew exactly
ly what the gesture moat. As his assistant, he understood Sean’s feelings for Charlotte better than anyone.
And since this was a gift for Mrs. Jasper’s firm, he didn’t hold back. The milk teas were made with <b>real </b>milk, no cremers. The fruit was all premium Imports. The cakes? Straight from ck Swan Patisserie.
When Charlotte heard what Sean said, the corner of her mouth twitched.
“Is he really doing all this just to avoid owing anyone a favor?” she wondered.
staff this morning and now he was clearly trying to one–up
She didn’t even bother calling him out. He had Introduced her firm as his own in front of his staff this
The food had already been delivered. The team had been working hard, and it would be a shame to let it go to waste.
So she said calmly, “How much did all this cost? I’ll transfer it to you.”
She was more than capable of treating her team hersell. There was no resison to owe
arrything.
Sean chuckled. “Come on, Miss Illey. It wasn’t for you. Why would you pay me? You’re going to assign anypany’s cases to your team anyway, right? Gotta win them over first, so they don’t drag their feet on the Jolx”
Charlotte was momentarily speechless.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked with a frown. “Are you implying that my staff resents working here?”
Sean Laughed lightly. “You clearly don’t understand the worlding ss, No one s their job. There’s always some level of resentment.”
Of course, Sean didn’t actually know that firsthand. That was something Sans had told him.
Charlotte fell silent, at a bit of a loss.
To be fair<b>, </b>when she had worked for others in the past–especially during those three <b>years </b>in Harbor City after cutting ties with her family–she had definitely experienced her share of bitterness.
Back then, she lived paycheck to paycheck under a micromanaging boss. It was a difficult period in her lile, and she had more than a few frustrations
about it.
“Seriously, don’t transfer me anything,” Sean sald again. “This was for the sale of our cases.”
“We’d do a good job with or without the food.”
“Well then, I’m counting o
on you, Miss Hiley” His tone was light and cheerful.
Charlotte extuled and hung up
Turning to the receptionist, she sa
“Got it!” The receptionist practically bounned with excitement.
Within minutes<b>, </b>the breakroom was packed.
(said, “Let everyone know the food’s here. Courtesy of Mr. Jasper, our client.”
“Oh my god! Are these from ck Swan? And there are so
e are so many! This has to
has to be worth thousands!”
“Ugh, this is the best job ever.”
“I love working! Nothing brings me joy lilur a paycheck and free calu!=
“Everything’s my favorite. Guess I’m skipping dinner.” \_||
“Mr. Jasper, I love you! Ms. Riley, I love you!” Jenny was practically glowing. “Mr. Jasper is GOAT!”
“Who’s Mr. Jasper? Sophie asked, confused.
Jenny gasped. “The <b>insanely </b>handsome guy who was here this morning. You didn’t see him?”
Sophie shook her head. “Nope.
Jenny leaned in conspiratorially. “He’s Miss Riley’s ex. I swear, hope they get back together. They’d make such a power couple.”
Standing just outside the crowd, Scott said nothing. His gaze rested <b>on </b>the scene before him, unreadable.
COIN <b>BUNDLE</b>: get more free bonus