Chapter 726

My office door was closed. My name was still there.

I held the handle for a second before opening it.Just to feel it.

When I stepped inside, I found Matthew sitting at the desk.

Not in the main chair.

In the guest chair.

The detail made me smile before a single word was spoken.

Matthew stood the moment I walked in. He had the kind of presence that comes from a man who learned how to be discreet even when he deserves applause.

Even so, his eyes looked lighter.

“I wanted to officially return the crown,” he said, with a smile that balanced humor and respect perfectly.

“Symbolically, of course.I didn’t actually buy a crown.” I laughed.

The sound came easily.No defenses.

“Good,” I replied.

“That would’ve been an unnecessary expense.I already have an entire board to remind me how heavy it is.” He laughed too, and the office felt less like an office and more like a place.

“And I bet you probably have one in your closet.” I pretended to think about it.

“Maybe,” I said, and we both laughed again.

I walked over and hugged him.

A real hug.

Not the polite, distant kind this building usually demands. I felt his body stiffen for a second, like he still wasn’t used to being… appreciated like that.

“I’ll never be able to thank you for everything you did for me,” I said quietly.

Matthew took a slow breath.

“That’s what friends are for,” he answered simply.

I stepped back and moved to the desk, setting my bag down in its usual spot.

My office looked exactly the same. But I wasn’t.

“I want you to stay,” I said, getting straight to the point.

“If you want to.” Matthew looked at me carefully.

“Stay?” he asked.

“In Florentia?”

I leaned lightly against the edge of the desk.

“As Executive Director of Operations,” I said.

I watched his expression change.

The kind of surprise that happens when someone realizes they’re not just being useful.

They’re being chosen.

will offer you the

Matthew let out a

like he was testing the idea

Warmth spread

scenery anyway,” he added, with a hint

and the words came out like

much happiness as it brought

Just then, there was a

with the same expression

the

waiting for permission, like the place

plans?”

before coming here.” Mia pointed at me like she

“Not you,” she said.

she smiled at Matthew with very clear

blinked, caught

.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Oh,” I murmured.

Mia shrugged, satisfied.

back of his neck, hiding the embarrassment in a way I found

like he’d just remembered a

“See you later, Gwen.”

“See you,” I replied.

heading for the door, waiting for

gave me a quick wave and followed

the door closed, the

time

walked to my

time, I let myself smile

were

were good at

knew, with a

Estate had

clear, recognizable noise you could identify with

a blend of smaller sounds that came together and

gate creaking

Tires crunching over gravel.

echoing down

of dishes in the

coffee machine running

to be careful, because this place had stopped being a project

And it

Strong coffee.

Warm bread.

lingered in the

clean smell of freshly pressed laundry

soap Martina had approved with all the seriousness of

I could still catch the faint scent of cold

reminder that these

the kitchen, the routine was already in motion. One of the staff girls was lining up trays. Another checked a list with a pen tucked behind her ear. Heat poured out of the oven, thickening

stood right in the middle of everything without looking

for the couple in room three,” she said,

family in seven wants fruit without honey. No honey, Nick. I know you think it’s ridiculous, but that’s what

opening the fridge. Martina shot me an amused look, and I smiled

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