In his casual attire, Patrick was engrossed in the kitchen, preparing breakfast, basking in the gentle rays of sunlight that streamed through the window. Jane found herself entranced by his striking features – his handsome face, chiseled nose, and those sensuous, slightly curled lips. He seemed more animated and vibrant, a departure from his usual work-related stoicism. Even wearing an apron, he was a sight to behold.
Jane couldn't tear her gaze away, but Patrick eventually noticed her presence and greeted her, "You're awake."
Shaking off her stupor, Jane inquired, "Why are you in the kitchen?"
"Amy requested the day off," Patrick replied softly.
Jane nodded, realizing that their usual cook was absent. "Oh, I see. Do you know how to cook?"
Patrick responded with a friendly smile, "You can have a taste." It was unmistakable that Patrick was an excellent cook.
"It's delicious," Jane complimented as she sat at the table and tasted Patrick's cooking. She hadn't expected that the CEO, a man of his stature, would be such a skilled chef.
Jane's perception of Patrick began to shift. "You can eat more if you like it," he suggested, placing another sandwich on her plate.
Jane felt a warmth washing over her as Patrick demonstrated care and concern for her. "Thank you," she said with a smile.
Patrick wasn't such a terrible person, she thought. He was tall, handsome, well-built, wealthy, and a formidable businessman who could achieve anything he set his mind to. As long as he wasn't quick-tempered and moody, he could indeed be a perfect man.
Perhaps she should heed her grandfather's advice.
As they continued to enjoy their pleasant breakfast together, Patrick's phone interrupted the warm ambiance. He answered it impatiently, "What's up?"
Morton's voice came through the line, "Sir, regarding the falling ceiling lamp in the studio, we've identified the employees responsible for its maintenance."
Patrick inquired in a low voice, "And?"
Morton continued, "There were three employees conducting maintenance and inspections at the time. One of them has since resigned, and the other two workers confirm that the one who resigned was responsible for inspecting the lamp."
"Dig deeper into that former employee's background," Patrick ordered, his expression darkening, and his thin lips curving slightly.
After ending the call, Jane asked eagerly, "Have you made any progress? Do we know who caused it?"
It seemed that whenever she was around Patrick, she found herself making blunders. As Patrick leaned in for a kiss, Jane froze, her mind going blank, and her cheeks flushed with uncertainty.
Their lips were just about to meet when Patrick's phone rang once again, breaking the spell. Startled, Jane pushed him away, reminding him, "Your phone is ringing."
Patrick's desire had ignited in that moment, and his expression darkened as he retrieved his phone and answered it. Morton was on the other end, and Patrick's voice was frigid as he responded to the report.
Jane inquired, concerned, "What's happening? Did you get to the bottom of it? Have they found the person responsible?"
Patrick shared the information from Morton. "The person in question is Tom Peg, and his family recently emigrated. Last week, Tom's account received five hundred thousand dollars."
"Emigrated?" Jane was taken aback by the revelation.
Patrick confirmed, "Yes, and it appears that Tom is responsible for the incident."
Tom, a mere maintenance worker, had received a substantial sum of money, making it clear that someone had paid him. The question was, who was behind this? And who was the intended target – Jane, Annie, Osborn, Patrick, or even Pansy Group itself?
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