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?”

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

she sipped her milk, she agreed with it. “I guess that works. I’ll have someone make the arrangements

breakfast was over, the three of

and stood in front of his car. Then, he glanced over at her meaningfully as he said, “Thanks for taking care

affectionately. With a small laugh, she added, “Besides, I like hanging out with

too, Aunt Sonia. Can I come by again soon?” Douglas lifted his face and blinked his

she

turn. He grinned at Douglas as

excuse to see Aunt Sonia, you sly man. However, given how much he wanted Zane to triumph in

the hospital for the operation today?”

strained hum then escaped her before she answered, “Yes, I’ll be going this

I’ll be there and I won’t take no for an answer. I know Charles will be present as well, but maybe I could lend

mildly amused by his insistence. “Okay, then.

settled then.” Zane waved his hand at her. “Right, I’ll be taking

and waved goodbye

she responded with a warm

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

arrived at the company, Daphne trailed after her and said, “President Reed, here is today’s schedule.” With

took the schedule over and perused it while she

Daphne and announced, “I’ll be going to the hospital later, so cancel the afternoon line-up,

the operation, which meant she would have to reorganize her upcoming schedule and push back a couple of unimportant

Daphne nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

pack it with goodies, preferably for someone who

could not hide her surprise. Is President Reed trying to patch things up with President Fuller

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 alternative energy technology project,

as she nodded her head while the wild guesses she made

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

Daphne nodded once and turned to

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

say that the meeting had been purely coincidental, there was no telling whether Daphne would truly believe her. Indeed, the girl might say otherwise, but

chair and sat down before she buried

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