Chapter 228

He sent a friend request, at this hour? My gut screamed something was amiss. Even though Steve swore Cole wouldn't act inappropriately, I felt cautious. Accepting a guy's friend request this late felt too casual, reckless even. I ignored the notification, refocusing on Lena. Then I heard her say, “He performed that successful surgery; the girl was a perfect match.” Sadness laced her voice, tightening my chest. Having experienced heartbreak, I knew the importance of feeling equal in a relationship. Lena was incredibly talented, but her senior was internationally renowned. A vast chasm separated them—worlds apart, as they say.

I steered the conversation to lighter topics, chatting with Lena until we hung up. Afterward, I stared at Cole's friend request, unease churning. I sensed danger. But to uncover the truth about my parents' deaths, I had to take this risk. Just as I was about to put down my phone, another message appeared: from Jace. “[Stay away from Cole Drago!]” The tone mirrored Hayden's. He was trying to protect me, but his warnings held less weight now. I ignored the message, switched off my phone, and went to bed.

I had to admit, that drink near the apartment building was far stronger than I'd anticipated. Even Hayden's honey chamomile tea couldn't counteract it. Exhausted, I skipped showering and passed out.

The next morning, I woke early, practiced yoga to shake off the sleepiness, and brewed strong coffee. Then, I accepted Cole's friend request. He'd likely still be asleep, preventing immediate messages. At the office, Ron awaited, giving me a strange look, though he remained silent. Several days off meant a mountain of work. I focused, powering through until noon.

I stood, stretched, and was about to head to the cafeteria when Ron knocked. “Ms. Kay, care to join me for lunch?” The uneasy look in his eyes hinted at something more.

Chapter 229

I offered a light smile. “Sure, why not?”

In the cafeteria, we grabbed our usual meals. Ron eyed my plate, raising an eyebrow. “Why so little? On a diet? You’re already in great shape. Don’t lose any more weight—you don’t look good too thin.”

Though technically my superior, he always seemed cautious around me, worried about saying the wrong thing. Intimidating to others, with me he displayed underlying apprehension.

I looked down, thinking of Hayden's cooking. “I’m not dieting. I’ve just become picky lately.”

“Huh?” Ron seemed surprised, then nodded as if something clicked. “Oh, right, right.” He likely assumed my Johnston family upbringing meant I was accustomed to fine dining. But it wasn't the Johnstons who spoiled me—it was Hayden. Anticipating Hayden's promised amazing dinner, excitement bloomed, making my current meal even less appealing.

“How about I take you out for something better?” Ron suggested, overly enthusiastically.

“Thanks, but I’m good,” I said quickly, forcing a bite.

“So, uh, Ms. Kay,” he began hesitantly, “was that guy yesterday really your boyfriend?”

Ah, now his odd behavior made sense. Steve's assessment of Ron echoed in my mind, prompting a smirk. “What do you think?”

“He seemed… alright,” Ron stammered. “But he doesn’t really seem… reliable, you know?”

I sipped my soup, raising an eyebrow.

“A girl like you deserves someone more… manly,” he continued.