Before Zane could speak up for himself, Douglas barreled toward Sonia and wrapped his arms around her waist, thereafter whining, “Aunt Sonia, Uncle Zane was pinching me!”

Sonia’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as she surveyed Zane reproachfully.

Zane was quick to raise his hands, as though the gesture was symbolic of his innocence. “No, I did not! Why would I pinch the little guy? I was only teasing him.”

“Teasing him, you say? So, why are his cheeks all red?” Her heart twisted as she soothingly caressed Douglas’ face, which was pink from the pinches. Then, she accusingly addressed Zane, “You’re just like Toby.”

At the mention of Toby, the playful glimmer in Zane’s eyes dimmed. “Toby?! What did he do?”

She rolled her eyes in exasperation and explained witheringly, “He practically kneaded Douglas’ cheeks until they were red last night. It’s always brute force when it comes to you men.”

His brows furrowed. “He kneaded Douglas’ face? Does that mean the both of you met Toby after I left last night?”

Sonia handed a spoon to Douglas and pulled up a chair at the table. “That’s right. Douglas was hungry, so I brought him out for food. We then ran into Toby at the restaurant. When Douglas needed to use the restroom, I was too embarrassed to bring him into the men’s room, so Toby brought him instead.”

“Oh, okay.” Zane nodded in understanding.

Meanwhile, Douglas was taking his oatmeal when he suddenly piped up, “Mr. Toby was hurt too.”

“Hurt?” Zane could not hide his shock as he looked over at Sonia. “How did that happen?”

She pinched the space between her brows in exhaustion as she began to narrate what had happened the night before.

After he heard the whole story, he rubbed his face and remarked, “There must have been some kind of jinx on you guys. I mean, the chances of stuff like this happening are practically slim-to none otherwise!”

A rueful smile played on Sonia’s lips. “Believe me, I know.” She thought they had been rather unlucky as well.

“You’re fortunate to have escaped unscathed,” he pointed out with a lopsided smile, his eyes meeting hers.

The corners of her lips slightly tipped up. “That’s only because Toby shielded me and was hurt instead. I’m still thinking about how I should thank him for it.” She didn’t want to show up at his place to deliver her thanks in person. If she did, a certain lunatic named Tina might very well

unleash chaos once more.

As though he read Sonia’s mind, Zane took a bite of the pancake and casually responded, “That should be easy. It’s not as if you were the one who forced him into saving you. Why don’t you rustle up a get-well-soon hamper or something and have someone send it over to him?”

“A get-well-soon hamper?”

“The man had injured his foot. I’d say that’s a good excuse to send him

rather sensible one and after she sipped her milk, she agreed with it. “I guess that

over, the three of them left the

of his car. Then,

Douglas’ hair affectionately. With

too, Aunt Sonia. Can I come by again soon?” Douglas

she promised,

at Douglas as he interjected, “Don’t you worry. I can drop you off here

at his own uncle. I know you’re just trying to use me as an excuse to see Aunt Sonia, you sly man. However, given how much he wanted Zane to triumph in his romantic pursuit, he

the way, are you going to the hospital for the operation today?” Zane’s gaze flickered over to

she suppressed her heartache. A strained hum then escaped her before she answered, “Yes, I’ll

for an answer. I know Charles will be present as well, but maybe I could lend an extra helping hand or something. Better to be

his insistence. “Okay,

his hand at her. “Right, I’ll be taking

waved goodbye at Sonia too. “Bye, Aunt

Douglas,” she responded with a

later and she did not stay in place for long. After having

said, “President Reed, here is today’s schedule.” With that, the secretary began to detail the agenda

the schedule over and

“I’ll be going to the hospital later, so cancel the afternoon line-up, seeing as there’s nothing important anyway. Also, I’ll

following the operation, which meant she would have to reorganize her upcoming schedule

Daphne nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

when she turned and asked, “By the way, could you rustle up a get-well-soon hamper? Make sure to pack it with goodies, preferably for someone who needs a treat after injuring their

President Reed trying to patch things up with President Fuller by sending him a

Sonia noticed Daphne’s expression, she knew instantly that Daphne misread her intentions. Sonia lowered her gaze and explained vaguely, “He’s hurt. Given that he’s our biggest collaborator, not to mention the man in charge of the

was in a daze as she nodded her head while the wild guesses

herself heaving a quiet sigh of relief. However, she maintained her composure

Right away.” Daphne nodded

darkened eyes as Daphne left her office. She had not elaborated on the cause of Toby’s injury precisely

out with her ex-husband at the amusement park-and at night, no less. Even if she were to say that the meeting had been purely coincidental, there was no telling whether Daphne

pulled out her chair and sat down before she

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