Chapter 152
Chapter 152
As Dereck’s trusted assistant and confidant, Herbert knew about Jessica’s marriage and child. Dereck hadn’t kept it a secret from him.
“Thank you, Herbert. I appreciate it. You can go now.” Jessica forced a smile.
“No problem at all.” Herbert left after setting down the insulated containers.
Jessica’s gaze lingered on the blueberries for a moment, remembering the mangoes and pineapples from last night. The sweet ones had been incredibly sweet, and the sour ones particularly tart.
But they’d suited her taste perfectly. The sourness helped with her morning sickness, while the sweetness cleared the bitter taste in her mouth.
Jessica stood and walked to the floor–to–ceiling window, looking down at the car parked outside the company entrance.
Once the food had been delivered, the car below made a U–turn and merged into traffic, disappearing from view in seconds.
Jessica stood there for several minutes before turning to open the thermal container. The first layer revealed chicken breast with creamy mushroom sauce, and she froze for a moment.
This dish required precise timing. Chicken breast was notoriously easy to overcook, and getting the texture right took real skill,
She paused, then lifted the first layer to reveal the second dish–grilled salmon. She had removed the head and tail, leaving only the belly and body portions.
Lemon slices and rosemary were scattered on top, their roasted aroma hitting her nose with intense fragrance. The lemon slices were cut unevenly, clearly not the work of a professional chef.
Jessica lifted the salmon to find the third dish–creamy corn soup. The golden broth was dotted with corn kernels, looking absolute
The more she looked at the food, the more certain she became that Brian couldn’t have made this. Her heart suddenly tightened.
etizing.
A name flashed through her mind. “Madeline?” The thought that Madeline might have cooked this meal made Jessica want to hurl everything onto the floor.
For a moment, Jessica’s breathing became rapid as she fought to control her emotions.
She was about to call someone to take everything away and throw it out when her phone rang.
The sound pulled Jessica back from her suffocating emotions. In that moment, she knew for certain that something was wrong with her mental state.
It was Sylvie: [Mrs. Atkinson, when are you coming back? I’m practically useless here now. Mr. Atkinson has been cooking all three meals himself.]
Jessica read Sylvie’s message, which came with several photos of Brian cooking in the kitchen while Jacob helped wash vegetables.
Atkinson Villa kitchen was open concept, spacious, and wide, with everything visible at a glance.
Jessica instinctively searched the photos for Madeline but couldn’t find her anywhere.
She had told them she didn’t want Brian and Jacob around, but if they were trying to annoy her, it was definitely working.
Her gloomy mood gradually settled as Jessica noticed a piece of salmon on the table, identical to the one in front of het now.
‘Did Brian make all this food?‘ The thought flashed through Jessica’s mind, but she quickly pushed it aside and took out the bowl from her lunch container, finding a peeled hard–boiled egg prepared for her inside.
The chicken breast with creamy mushroom sauce had the perfect texture. The sauce was well–balanced, the meat tender, and Jessica found her appetit returning. The vegetables complemented the spaghetti perfectly.
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