bChapter /bb406 /b

    After this happened enough times, Jessica found herself staring at Sana’s retreating figure each eveningb, /bbincreasingly /bpuzzled. ‘Why does she have dinner ns every single nighttely? Is she dating Wesley already?”

    Just imagining those two off happily dating while she was stuck here working overtime just to dodge Brian made Jessica feel even more pitiful.

    Still, she had never once considered asking Sana to stay behind and keep herpany during overtime.

    ‘Working overtime was my own choice. I couldn’t possibly expect anyone else to stay with me, Jessica reminded herself firmly. With that, she buried herself back into the mountain of unfinished paperwork.

    Meanwhile, over at Atkinson Group, Brian had just finished reviewing thest document. He was about to pack bup /bbfor /bbthe /bday when the head of the logistics department, Edmund Briggs–who had recently delivered documents to himb–/bwalked in, carrying a gift bag.

    Brian raised an eyebrow. “What’s this?”

    Edmund hurried forward with a big smile. “Mr. Atkinson, my parents just sent me some homemade bacon from our hometown.

    “My wife is five months pregnant, and she loves it. I heard you’ve been collecting special treats for Mrs. Atkinsontely, so I thought I’d bring a couple of pieces for you to try.”

    “That’s very thoughtful of you. Thank you,” Brian said sincerely as he examined the vacuum–sealed bacon. Then, without hesitation, he sent the man a 200–dor bonus.

    Overjoyed that Brian had actually epted his gift, Edmund practically floated out of the office. As soon as he stepped out, he rushed to share the good news in their private work group chat.

    When the other employees saw that Brian was really epting these gifts, they immediately grew restless, each of them itching to try their luck next.

    Sure enough, the next morning, the moment Brian stepped into his office, he was met with more gifts–a jar of family- recipe pickled greens from Dorothy in the Secretariat and a beautifully wrapped artisanal cheese from an HR manager.

    Brian epted every gift without hesitation, then handed out bonuses to everyone.

    As a result, more employees started taking advantage of document deliveries to bring Brian all sorts of local delicacies, so

    frequently that he even began to feel

    iovered/i.

    notice

    After another meeting concluded, Brian noticed an employee lingering by his deskb, /bclearly relucta knowing half–smile, he inquired, “So, do you have something for me?”

    eaveb. /bbWith /bba /b

    As he spoke, he cast a nce at the employee’s hands. Aside from the stack of documents, there was bnothing /bbelse/bb, /bbso /bbhe /bwondered, ‘Nothing else? Did he forget to bring it this time?‘

    The employee, who had been struggling to find the right moment to speak, immediately bnodded /bbenthusiastically /bbupon /bhearing this.

    bD /b

    “Yes.” She quickly opened the folder she had been hugging to her chest and pulled out a bthick/bb, /bbmeticulously /bbprepared /bguidebook.

    “Mr. Atkinsonb, /bthis is aprehensive guide I put together on domestic and international cuisine bsuitable /bbfor /bbpregnant /bwomen. Please, you must ept it,” she said, presenting it to him with both hands.

    Brian was genuinely surprised. “Youpiled this entire, thick guide all by yourself?”

    As he spoke, he took the guide and flipped through a few pages. The content was impressively detailed, band /bbhis /bbgaze /btoward her softened noticeably.

    “Yes,” she replied shyly. “I used to be a mommy blogger, so I know a bit about these thingsb. /bI thought Mrs. Atkinson bmight /bfind it helpful, so I put this together during my spare time. I hope you won’t dislike it.”

    Brian chuckled softly. “How could I possibly dislike it? I’m more than grateful for this.”

    “Oh, no, really. It was nothing. It’s just something I threw together. Please take it, and there’s no need bto /bthank bme/bb, /bbshe /bsaid.

    As a die–hard Brissica shipper, just being able to help, even in the tiniest way, already felt like a dreame true. She didn’t need anything else from Brian.

    Brian shook his head firmly. “No, I insist. A guide thisprehensive clearly took considerable effort. I’ll have the finance department issue you a 600–dor bonusi./ii” /i

    With no way to refusei, /ishe could only ept, leaving his office absolutely beaming as she went to collect her bonusb. /b

    After carefully reviewing the guide, Brian thought back on all the employees who had been so eager to send him various treats recently. Without another moment’s hesitation, he picked up the phone and dialed the secretary’s office.

    biAD /i/b