Chapter 98

Edwin had started to act like he belonged in Emilia's family, and that did not sit well with Elias. His expression turned sour.

Wilbur reached for the handles of Elias's wheelchair,ready to move him, but paused. "Is he staying here?"

Everyone's eyes shifted in the same direction as Wilbur's, and it was obvious who he meant.

"He isn't staying. I just need to talk to him about something," Emilia explained quickly,jumping in with an answer.

Elias shot her a cold look. "What is it?"

What could be so important that he couldn't hear it?

"Mr. Dixon, this is personal. I hope you understand it's not your place," Emilia said,setting a boundary.

"Alright." Elias's lips pressed together, and the distance between them only grew. W/e'll catch you later," Wilbur responded,steering Elias out of the room.

Emilia only shut the door once the elevator doors slid closed.

"Emilia, if you ever need help, just let me know,"Edwin remarked sincerely.

Emilia rested her gaze on Edwin. "How would you feel about becoming our cook? I want to hire you."

She knew it was a rare stroke of luck to come across someone so talented in the kitchen, and she would not let that chance pass by.

Sometimes, she wondered how things would have turned out if Elias came from a simpler life.Maybe then, she could have brought him onboard as well. In another life, they might have launched a restaurant together-she would supply the funds, and the two men could handle everything else.

"I'd love that," Edwin said, his face lighting up as he nodded so quickly it seemed like he feared she might change her mind at any second "I only need you to handle two meals a day.I'll pay you twenty thousand a month," muttered Emilia,making her offer clear.

"That's way too generous." Edwin shook his head and held his palms up. "Honestly, you don't have to pay me. After everything you've done for me, I'd be willing to cook for you for the rest of my life, and it still wouldn't feel like enough."

To Edwin, what Emilia gave him was far more than money. She had offered hope when his father's life hung in the balance. Without her,he could not say for sure his father would have survived long enough for him to gather the money for his care.

She was not just the woman he adored. She had become the light that made his dark world a little brighter. Nothing could change that.

"That was not my money. It came from the people who hurt you. If you want to remember the kindness, that's fine. But you have to accept the pay, or I'll find someone else for the job."Emilia kept her voice gentle but firm.

Edwin nearly stumbled over his own words."Okay, I'll take the job. Please, let me start," he said, eager to accept before Emilia had second thoughts.

Emilia smiled and nodded. "That's settled,then.I'll arrange a place for you in this building. Just know, I tend to get sudden cravings, so you might end up making more than two meals a day."

Edwin's answer was quick. "You don't have to worry about the rent. Let me handle that part."

She could see he was serious, so she decided not to argue.

"We'll have you start tomorrow. Is that alright with you?"

He gave her a confident nod of the head."Tomorrow works for me. I'm ready."

Once their agreement was set, Emilia let Edwin head back home.

A short distance from the apartment complex,a plain black van sat quietly on the street.

Wilbur glanced sideways at Elias. "So, are you planning to spend the whole night out here?" Elias stayed silent, his lips pressed in a hard line while his eyes never left the apartment's entrance.

If not for the slight movement of his chest,Wilbur might have mistaken him for a statue.

"You were so sure you'd win Emilia over with your cooking. I figured she'd give you that spot for treatment right away. Guess you didn't expect that guy to be just as talented in the kitchen," Wilbur said, stretching his arms behind his head. "Looks like you've finally got some competition. Maybe your love story ends here."

That was enough to snap Elias out of his silence.He glared at Wilbur with ice in his eyes. "If you can't say anything helpful, then don't say anything at all."