Chapter 87

When Patrick wrapped up his work, he looked up and saw Patricia and Efren sitting on the sofa with a lunchbox, as if they had been waiting there forever.

"Mr. Rivera, this is lunch Madam prepared for you and Miss Evans. She said you've been under a lot of stress lately. plus you were injured a while back, so she made you some soup. This fish soup is for Miss Evans.hoping she'll takebetter care of her health." Efren said. He'd been Jennifer s assistant for thirty years. When he retired, instead of moving on to another big company, he chose to come back to the Rivera Manor as a butler. Patrick respected him a lot for that and always treated him like family.

"Thanks, Efren." Patrick rubbed his brow, sat on the sofa, opened the lunch box himself, and handed a fork to Efren, saying, "Efren, join me. It's late, and I'm sure you haven't had lunch either."

Efren shook his head. "No, Mr. Rivera. Madam is waiting for me to return.I'll head back now; there's food in thecar. You and Miss Evans enjoy your meal. If there's anything you like, let me know tonight, and I'll have Elbert bring it to you tomorrow."

"Will do." Patrick was about to talk about the evening plans when Efren reminded him, "Mr. Rivera, don't forget to bring Miss Evans home for dinner tonight. Madam is cooking for you."

"Thanks, Efren, we'll be there on time." Patricia noticed how much Patrick respected Efren and addressed him warmly,too.

Efren's eyes softened. He thought. 'Who wouIdn't like Miss Evans? She's beautiful, kind, and polite. Emily wasn't bad either, but Madam didn't like her. and her family background was a bit lacking.

Efren sighed silently to himself. then said goodbye to the two and quickly left The Rivera Group.

Shirley had just planned to call Patrick to go to the company cafeteria for lunch when she saw Efren leaving.

Shirley thought bitterly, 'What's Efren doing here? Did Jennifer come too?Is it because of Patricia?'

"Patrick! I'm here to take you to the cafeteria for lunch!" As Shirley pushed the door open, she saw Patrick having a meal with Patricia. She immediately said. annoyed. "Don't we always have lunch together? Why didn't you call me today? Is this the food Efren brought? I'm hungry too."

Patrick was caught off guard by Shirley's words. Patricia pursed her lips,glanced at the dishes on the table, and said slowly, "I'm sorry, Miss Wright.I guess Efren didn't prepare your portion today. We're almost done with our meal. If you don't mind,you can join us and have some."

Shirley glanced down. Sure enough, whether the food was just that delicious or they both had big appetites, the lunch box was almost empty.If she joined them now, she'd feel like she was intruding.

Her face darkened, humiliation bubbling up inside her. She'd lived at the Rivera Manor for so long and had never been treated like this. She bit her lip,trying hard to keep her emotions in check.

The sunlight streamed into the dining room, but it couldn't warm Shirley's cold heart. She looked at Patrick and Patricia, filled with jealousy and

anger. She felt excluded. like she was suddenly the third wheel. Shirley clenched her fists. nails digging into her palms. but she didn't feel any pain. Her mind raced with thoughts of how to win Patrick back and get rid of Patricia.

Patrick saw Shirley's expression and felt a bit torn. He knew how she felt about him. but he also knew he couldn't reciprocate. He sighed and said."Shirley, don't be upset. Should I have the chefs make another portion for you?"

Hearing Patrick's words, Shirley felt a bit better. But she still stubbornly shook her head and said. "No. Patrick. I'm not hungry." She turned to leave, but Patricia stopped her.

With a faint smile. Patricia said. "Miss Wright. why are you so upset? I was just stating the facts. If you're really hungry, just have the chefs make another portion. It's just a matter of waiting a bit longer, no need to be so dramatic,right?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in Patricia's tone. Shirley's anger flared up again. She turned around, glared at Patricia, and said. "What gives you the right to talk to me like that? You're just an outsider working at the Rivera Group."

Patricia smiled slightly and said, "I'm an outsider? What about you? Do you think you're so important in Patrick's heart? You're just a parasite living off the Rivera family." Shirley trembled with anger, wanting to retort but finding herself at a loss for words. She knew she appeared small and powerless in front of Patricia. She glared fiercely at Patricia, then turned and ran out of the room.

Patrick watched Shirley's retreating figure, feeling somewhat helpless.He knew her temper and her feelings for him. But he couldn't give her hope

because his heart belonged to Emily. He looked at Patricia and said. "Why did you have to say that to Shirley? She's not having an easy time either."

Patricia shrugged and said. "1 was just stating the facts. Shirley needs to know her place." Patrick shook his head and didn't say anything more.He knew the conflict between Patricia and Shirley was a class conflict. difficult to reconcile. and he didn't want to get involved.

In fact. what Patrick was really thinking about was how he could avoid going back to the Rivera Manor for dinner tonight. When he left this morning,Emily had asked if he wanted to come back for dinner.and he had clearly promised her. Patrick had stood Emily up countless times in the past. but after experiencing her resignation this time. he realized he could no longer bring himself to hurt her intentionally.

Patrick sat at his desk, his eyes somewhat unfocused. He thought of Emily's gentle face and expectant eyes, feeling a sense of guilt. He knew he should keep his promise and go back to have dinner with her. but he didn't know how to face those people at theRivera Manor. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a hint of frustration brewing inside him.