Chapter 648

Elara muttered under her breath, "Damn little brat."

Juniper was being stubborn about eating, but Elara wasn't having it. She blocked Juniper's path with a bowl, saying, "I made this just for you."

Juniper, clearly annoyed, snapped back, "You're so annoying."

She swatted the bowl to the floor, sending noodles flying. The hot soup splashed onto Elara's foot, making her yelp, "It's burning!"

"Mom!" Saffron shouted. "Juniper, Mom made you noodles out of kindness. If you don't want them, fine, but you didn't have to burn her. That's just mean."

Juniper found Saffron's outrage amusing, "Is this your game? One acts all nice, and the other plays the blame game, calling me ungrateful?"

"Juniper, you're being too cynical. Dad hit Mom today. She realized her mistake and apologized to you, but you still burned her."

Elara was fuming inside but kept her cool, "It's okay, Juniper didn't mean it."

Juniper found it even more laughable. It used to be Saffron playing the good cop and Elara the bad cop. Now it's reversed? Still the same old trick. Ridiculous.

"Help your mom put some ointment on," Aaron said tiredly. They argued every day, and there was never a moment of peace at home.

"Juniper, I treated you poorly before, so it's normal for you to misunderstand me. But after this incident, I truly regret it. Believe me."

"I don't believe a word you two say," Juniper sneered and went upstairs, not wanting to argue further.

"Juniper, you haven't had dinner yet, have you? Juniper? I'll have the maid bring it up to you," Aaron called after her.

Seeing Aaron trying to please Juniper, Elara was secretly furious, 'Opportunistic!'

"What are you doing? You know Juniper doesn't like you, yet you still try to get close."

"Isn't it for you?" Elara said, holding back her anger. "Honey, I really know I was wrong. Look how much I'm humbling myself, but Juniper still treats me like this. It's so unfair. Being a stepmother is hard."

"Think about how you treated her before, especially today, causing a scene at her company. If you ruin this marriage, I'll skin you alive!" Aaron warned.

"I know I was wrong and am trying to make amends, aren't I?"

"Just don't provoke her anymore," Aaron said, heading to the kitchen.

"Mom, does it hurt?" Saffron asked.

"Of course, it was freshly cooked noodles. It burned me," Elara said with resentment.

Saffron was glad it wasn't spilled on her. Her delicate skin and couldn't handle such burns.

"Juniper is so hateful. Even after all this, she still won't let it go."

"That little brat is heartless. Do you think she'll forgive me after just one or two times?" Elara sneered. "We need to play the long game. We might have to endure some grievances now, but once that brat believes us, it'll be our time to shine."

"Yeah, she'll definitely fall into our hands eventually," Saffron said confidently.

Morning.

At the office.

The sun lit up Anthony's office at 9AM.

"Mr. Eilish, your black coffee," Juniper said with clear voice, placing it on his desk.

Anthony was focused on his paperwork.

Juniper bit her lip, her face slightly flushed.

Though a five-minute, light makeup routine was her norm, today she dedicated over half an hour to a more elaborate look. Why wouldn't he look at her? She did it especially for him.

Juniper waited, her heart doing little flips.

After what felt like forever, Anthony finally looked up. "Anything else?"

"Uh... Mr. Eilish... you haven't had breakfast yet, right? I made an extra sandwich. Want it?" Juniper placed it in front of him.

Anthony hesitated for a second. It was that familiar tomato sandwich. He did miss it a bit.

"I mean, no big deal. I just had extra ingredients and made an extra one. If you've already eaten, it's cool, I..."

"Thanks, I'll eat it," Anthony said, cutting her off.

Juniper's face lit up. "Great. I'll leave you to it then. Holler if you need anything."

She walked out, feeling like she was on cloud nine. So freaking happy.

Just as she stepped out, she bumped into Terry. She tried to hide her smile, but it was too late.

"Grinning like that, you got a crush or something?" Terry teased.

"Yeah, on my job," Juniper shot back quickly.

"Anyone who didn't know better would think you're into Mr. Eilish."

Juniper's heart skipped a beat.

"Just kidding. Every woman in this office is in love, but it's all unrequited, secret love," Terry added.

"Yeah, totally."

"Do you drink?" He suddenly asked.

"I can handle a bit. Why?"

"We've got a business dinner tonight, and I need a secretary to come along. I'll try to keep you from drinking too much, but sometimes you can't avoid a glass or two."

Juniper wasn't a fan of business dinners, but it was part of the gig. She nodded, "Okay."

"Cool, we'll head out after work."

"Alright."

At 6PM, Juniper and Terry headed to Feast Haven Restaurant.

They got there first.

"You won't get stage fright, will you?" Terry asked.

Juniper shook her head, "Nope."

"Good, I knew it. You're poised and confident. That's why I hired you. As secretaries, we need to be confident and not show any nervousness, as it affects the company's image. We also need to be adaptable and quick-witted."

"Got it."

"Terry..." Soon, three men walked in.

Two middle-aged and one young guy in his twenties. The young guy was pretty handsome, with those charming eyes, definitely a playboy.

As soon as he walked in, his eyes locked onto Juniper.

"Mr. Myers, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Woods. Long time no see," Terry greeted warmly.

Juniper followed suit, "Mr. Myers, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Woods."

The one called Mr. Woods grabbed her hand. Juniper tried to pull away, but he held on tight, looking at her with that sleazy grin, "Terry, aren't you gonna introduce this beauty?"

"She's our company's new secretary, Juniper."

Juniper tried to pull her hand away discreetly, but he wouldn't let go. What bad luck. She encountered a playboy at the first business dinner.

"Juniper, sit next to me?"

Juniper glanced at Terry and nodded.

As soon as she sat down, Ronnie Woods leaned in, "What perfume are you wearing, Juniper? It smells amazing."

"Chanel," Juniper replied, subtly distancing herself.

"They say perfume reflects a woman's taste. Juniper, you got great taste and look amazing."

"Mr. Woods, you're too kind. With so many beauties around you, I'm just average."

Ronnie smiled, "You're too modest. Yes, I have many beauties around me, but they're all just pretty faces with no substance. None have the elegance you do, Juniper. I was captivated the moment I saw you."