Chapter 4

When they saw Naomi, Brendan's face fell. Chloe, surprised for a moment, stood up from her chair and greeted her with a smile. "Naomi," she said. Seeing the lunchbox, Chloe grinned. "You must be here to deliver Brendan's lunch, right?" She turned to Brendan. "Since Naomi brought you lunch, we don't need to eat out. It's rare for Naomi to come to the company; you should keep her company."

Chloe's understanding and reasonableness were as if she were Brendan's wife and the lady boss of the Ludwig Corporation. Even Brendan eating the lunch Naomi brought was a chance Chloe offered.

Naomi looked at Chloe and stated nonchalantly, "You can either ask Brendan to turn against his father and get a divorced, Chloe, or you can throw the evidence of your affair in my face. Who are you trying to disgust with your constant sarcasm?"

But Chloe remained so enigmatic that Naomi held her in contempt. Naomi's disdain made Chloe explain embarrassedly, "Brendan and I are not what you think, Naomi. We're just discussing work."

Her light dimmed as she finished. "Take your time. I'll leave first."

After the door closed, Naomi walked to the office desk and placed the lunchbox on it. She pulled up the chair opposite Brendan and sat down as if nothing had happened. "Mom asked me to bring you your lunch."

Brendan threw the documents he was holding onto the desk and asked tersely, "Can't you take initiative yourself, Naomi?"

Naomi stared silently at him after he threw the documents. He didn't act like this with Chloe. As expected, he disliked her. No matter what she did or said, it was always her fault. Even delivering his lunch, simply existing, even breathing—it was all wrong.

After a while, Naomi leaned back and replied tepidly, "When it comes to matters between us, I won't take the initiative. Your parents' words are like imperial edicts to me; I can't disobey them."

Not only could Naomi not disobey Brendan's parents, she was also afraid her mother would burst into tears, tearfully reminding her how hard she'd worked to raise her, emphasizing the need for obedience. However, Samuel had been kind to her.

When they married, he'd set rigid rules for Brendan: Brendan couldn't initiate a divorce, couldn't hurt her feelings, and had to work to make the marriage work. Otherwise, he would leave the Ludwig family penniless, and Naomi would inherit all the family properties. Even if they couldn't get along, they had to try for at least three years. Now, only one year remained.

Seeing Brendan ignore her retort, Naomi got up, walked to the desk, picked up the lunchbox and fork, and spoke sweetly, like Chloe. "No one can live without food, Brendan. You should at least eat some."

Brendan tilted his head. She winked and offered him a rib. He was stunned by her sudden coquettishness and subconsciously opened his mouth.

But Naomi threw the lunchbox down and snapped, "Fuck it, Chloe's way really worked." She tossed the fork down heavily. "Eat it or leave it. Who wants to spoil you?"

After leaving Brendan's office, Naomi even purposely told his secretary that Brendan had already eaten, so she didn't need to prepare anything for him.

However, after 9:00 pm, Heather's call woke her. Brendan was hospitalized with dehydration from diarrhea.

Shocked, Naomi got dressed and went to the hospital. Heather claimed to be tired, so Naomi sent her home.

When Naomi returned, Brendan looked up. "You've become braver, Naomi. Brave enough to drug me."

Naomi approached and pulled up his quilt. "Don't put it so unkindly. Married couples use aphrodisiacs. Who would use laxatives?"

"You want to deny it?" He threw his cell phone on the bed; a surveillance video of her in a drugstore was playing. Then he threw a drug purchase record in her face.

Caught, Naomi said nothing. They stared at each other. Expecting an explanation, she unexpectedly said, "Don't look at me like that; I'm scared I won't be able to control myself."

"Naomi!" Brendan's face was sullen. He threw a pillow at her.

Naomi caught it and replied calmly, "You're the one making a racket and driving me crazy. I'm not going too far for wanting to drug you as emotional recompense."

Brendan grabbed her wrist, pulling her close. In a deep, sonorous voice, he asked, "Are you jealous, Naomi?" His question stunned her, then she burst into laughter. "Don't worry. I'd rather eat shit than be jealous of you!"

Her hearty laughter made him pull her closer. Her forehead and nose collided with his, causing her to gasp in pain. Before she could react, he kissed her.