Man With Super Medical Skill (Matthew)

Although Matthew had resorted to some heavy-handed tactics this time, Laurent had cooperated and revealed everything he wanted to know. So, he graciously accepted the favor without hesitation. "Thank you, Matteo. If anything comes up, don't hesitate to let me know," Laurent said warmly.

He forced a smile, though his inner monologue was running wild. I never want to see you again for as long as I live. Please, just leave already.

For someone like Matthew-capable of taking his life at any moment-someone in Laurent's position, with power and influence, would never want to cross paths with him again.

"Well then, Mr. Laurent, I'll take my leave now," Matthew said, standing up. His strikingly handsome face was adorned with a gentle smile.

Laurent's mouth twitched involuntarily. Were it not for the need to keep things civil, he would have gladly unleashed a torrent of insults. Seriously? You slashed a groove into my desk just now, and you expect me to feel like the boss here?

"Haha! Matteo, since you've got things to handle, I won't keep you for a meal. Take it slow on your way back, and if anyone gives you trouble, just drop my name. No need for me to see you off," he replied, standing as well, feigning a reluctant farewell. Gone was the commanding aura he had displayed when they first met.

Laurent might be the owner of the local building materials market, earning a decent living and keeping a crew of 100 or so under his wing for protection, but who in their right mind could maintain their composure when dealing with someone like Matthew-lethal, stoic, and capable of snuffing out a life at a moment's notice?

As soon as Matthew walked out, Laurent grabbed his walkie-talkie without hesitation. "From today on, if that ridiculously handsome Matteo shows up, tell him I'm not here. And if he insists on coming in, make sure to alert me quietly. Got it?"

...

At Lopez Mining Group, Angus and Catia were sitting in the front hall, chatting casually.

"Ms. Catia, what's for dinner tonight?" Angus asked absentmindedly, flipping through the pages of a book.

Catia was busy snapping the ends off green beans, tossing them into a nearby basket without looking up. "Stuffed pig's trotters, steamed salmon, and maybe some roast chicken," she replied matter-of-factly.

"Really? That good?" Angus immediately put down his book, staring at her in astonishment. "But I didn't see you buy any of that."

Catia rolled her eyes dramatically, her luscious red lips parting as she retorted, "You know I didn't buy any of that, and yet you're asking? What do you think I'm holding right now?"

Angus glanced at the green beans in her hands and sighed inwardly. Great. Looks like we're having sauteed green beans again tonight.

He was beginning to feel like he was turning into a green bean at this point.

"Ms. Catia, my dear goddess of the kitchen," he said with exaggerated helplessness can't we have some meat for once? Look at Lopez Mining Group-we've got plenty of wealth. You could grab money from the accounts, and no one would bat an eye. But no, it's sauteed green beans on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, oven-roasted eggplant on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and grilled green beans and eggplant on Sundays. Can't we change it up a little?"

He slumped back into his chair, his refined and scholarly face now painted with utter defeat.

He couldn't help but regret his decision to take Catia in and promise she could handle the cooking and laundry. Back then, it had seemed like a stroke of genius. Now, he was stuck eating vegetarian meats every day. To make matters worse, she insisted on waking him up early each morning for breakfast, and when he suggested hiring a professional chef, she outright refused.

"What's wrong with being

vegetarian? It's good for yournoveldrama

health," Catia shot back, her tone

brimming with righteous confidence, "Look at eggplant-great for anti-aging and protecting your blood vessels. And green beans? They promote digestion and strengthen your stomach and spleen. Now tell me, what's so great about feasting on fatty meat all the time? What'll you do when your cholesterol shoots through the roof?"

Her words left Angus speechless. He opened his mouth to counter, but nothing came out. Just as he was racking his brain for a clever reply, a voice interrupted their lively debate. "What's going on here? You two seem to be having quite the conversation."