Yvette smiled faintly, leaning back on the sofa and drumming her fingers. "What is Zachary trying to achieve with this charade?" she wondered, finding his antics mildly amusing.

"Oh, it's just missing one meal," she said indifferently to Lucas, "don't make a fuss." Her casual attitude only deepened his bewilderment. He wondered if something had transpired between Ms. Zeller and Mr. Chambers unbeknownst to him. Baffled, but drawing on decades of experience, he pressed on.

With a heavy sigh and a carefully controlled expression, Lucas continued, "Ms. Zeller, food is essential, especially at Mr. Chambers' age. He can't skip meals with a fever. His health isn't what it used to be, and he's never been a hearty eater. It would mean a great deal if you'd check on him upstairs."

Yvette raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the staircase where a faint shadow lurked behind a column. A smirk played on her lips as she issued a command. "Fine. Tell him I'm here. If he doesn't come down and eat, he'll face the consequences."

Lucas's mouth twitched. Ms. Zeller's no-nonsense charm was always a daily dose of something.

Before he could reply, Zachary emerged from behind the column, stumbling down the stairs, hand to his forehead, his face pale, each step a visible effort.

"Oh, Yvette! I had no idea you'd be here," Zachary exclaimed, surprised. "I specifically told Lucas not to bother you. This is hardly worth your concern."

Lucas froze, then turned to watch Zachary descend. Mr. Chambers's performance was masterful, even for the most accomplished actor. Lucas, nearly in tears, could only nod reluctantly. Mr. Chambers was completely under Ms. Zeller's sway. After her words, he headed downstairs without a further word—a devoted father to his core.

Turning to Yvette, Lucas said, "Ms. Zeller, I'm afraid I took it upon myself to call you. Mr. Chambers didn't request it."

Zachary sank onto the sofa beside Yvette, coughing weakly and giving her a pleading look. "Now, don't be hard on Lucas. He was only worried. Next time, don't trouble her over such a trifle," he told Lucas, carefully maintaining his fragile façade.

Lucas gritted his teeth, wishing Mr. Chambers would stage his dramas without involving him.

Yvette gave Zachary a cool, amused glance, crossing her legs and resting her chin in her hand. 'Not bad,' she mused. 'He's certainly perfected the "frail heart" act.' Out of courtesy—and curiosity—she decided to play along.

"Why aren't you taking your medicine? And why skip a meal?" she asked.

Caught off guard, Zachary hesitated. 'If I had actually taken medicine or eaten,' he thought, 'she probably wouldn't have rushed back.' But he couldn't risk saying that; Yvette had little patience for nonsense. He offered his most pitiful expression. "Yvette, the medicine is too bitter… and anyway, it won't fix what's really wrong," he sighed, looking utterly miserable. "This is a psychological issue, you see, and medicine can't cure that."

Lucas kept his head down, fighting a grimace. His inner critic marveled at his boss's performance, even while finding it excessive.

Yvette's delicate fingers stilled as she fixed Zachary with a sharp gaze, seeing straight through his pretense. "Speak plainly," she commanded.

Zachary straightened instantly, the power in those two words snapping him to attention. Even Lucas offered an approving nod. Only Yvette could keep Mr. Chambers in check.

Clearing his throat, Zachary patted his chest. "Yvette, I think I may be struggling with depression. I looked up the symptoms online, and… well, I fit all of them."

His earnestness was convincing, even to Lucas, who knew the truth.

But Yvette merely raised an eyebrow, sipping her tea. "Diagnosing yourself online?" she replied coolly. "Well, you should know that online diagnoses start with cancer, at the very least. Didn't you know?"

Zachary blinked, utterly baffled, looking to Lucas. He'd thought online diagnoses were reliable. Clearly, he had much to learn.

Lucas stepped forward to defuse the situation. "Ms. Zeller, Mr. Chambers has been unwell for some time. He's been despondent, lacking appetite, often lost in thought. In fact, he's made several costly mistakes at work, losing billions in revenue. The family doctor recommended rest, but he's been too worried about the company to comply. Things are only worsening."

Zachary was proud of Lucas's smooth performance, though Lucas's leg trembled slightly under Yvette's gaze. No one could withstand the intensity of Ms. Zeller's stare.

Zachary nodded. "Yes. But don't you worry, Yvette? I'll keep pushing through. I'll ensure the Chambers Group remains in good hands." He feigned a weak cough, looking pitiful.

The Chambers Group was no longer Zachary's; it belonged to Yvette. He was, in reality, a highly paid employee—a fact unknown to outsiders.

Yvette watched them, the pieces falling into place. This charade was to convince her to take over the company. She could almost feel him waiting for her to say, "Fine, let me take over for now." Then he would effortlessly hand over the company—a perfect plan.

But as Zachary looked at her with hopeful anticipation, Yvette gave a calm nod. "Since you're convinced you can handle it, keep working, then."

Zachary's expression froze, disappointment washing over him. Lucas shot him a sympathetic glance; the grand plan had imploded. Yvette, as always, was unyielding.

Zachary's crushed expression almost brought a smirk to Yvette's lips. After a pause, he finally sighed, ending his performance. "Fine. I'll take my medicine and eat. Go on back to class, then. We're having steak for dinner—come home and join us."

Yvette stared blankly, starting toward the door, then pausing. 'Might as well let him have a small victory,' she thought.

Without turning, she said coolly, "One week. I'll manage the Chambers Group for one week."