Revenge is Best Served… After Reborn

The secretary flashed a slight smile, leaving Sophie wondering why she couldn't just head home. When the boss gives an order, you follow it—no questions asked. With a sigh, Sophie reluctantly pulled out her untouched homework from the past three days and got to work in the lounge. Just looking at the stack made her head spin. It's one thing to be bossed around by teachers at school, but now a stranger's in charge? It was downright ridiculous.

Another hour slipped by, and Sophie had managed to finish a whole set of assignments, yet there wasn't a hint of James wrapping up his meeting. She checked her watch-it was already 8 PM, and the sky outside had turned a deep shade of night.

"When is Mr. Burke finally going to wrap things up? I need to get home," Sophie said, a hint of impatience in her voice.

"Mr. Burke ordered this meal for you. If you're hungry, feel free to dig in," the secretary replied, placing a takeout bag in front of her. Sophie opened it to find all her favorite dishes neatly packed inside.

Surprised, she glanced at the secretary. "Mr. Burke ordered this for me?"

"Yes, Ms. Sophie."

"How on earth does Mr. Burke know what I like to eat?" Sophie asked, her brow furrowing. "Did he have me investigated?"

With a firm nod confirming her suspicions, Sophie sprang up from the couch. The secretary tried to stop her, but Sophie had already charged into James's meeting room. The managers and team leaders inside were caught off guard, gawking at her sudden entrance. Holding the takeout bag tightly, Sophie found the room's tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

James stayed silent, and everyone else barely dared to breathe.

Finally, James broke the silence. "This meeting is over," he announced.

With a collective sigh of relief, everyone else quickly made their exit, as if they'd been let off the hook. The secretary, leaving last, made sure to close the door behind her.

"Why did you have me investigated?" Sophie demanded, placing the takeout bag in front of James. He had ordered from her go-to

restaurant, and the dishes wo i net

exactly what she usually craved. There was no way this was just a lucky guess.

"Isn't it a fiancé's job to know the preferences of his fiancée?" James replied calmly. "If this isn't to your taste, we can go out for dinner instead."

"But I don't even know you!" Sophie blurted out.noveldrama

Her words made James pause, his hand stilling as he was organizing the takeout. His expression darkened slightly.

Sophie continued, "I'm just a high school junior. Marriage? That's not even on my radar, especially not with you. Having someone dig into my life just makes you seem... threatening."

A heavy silence fell over the room, stretching for what felt like an eternity.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think this through," James said slowly. "If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll stop the investigating. As for the

engagement... if you're really against it, we can call it off."

Sophie was taken aback by his willingness to accommodate her feelings. She recalled her Uncle Perry mentioning that when James came to discuss the engagement, it was more like sealing a business deal, though he offered a substantial dowry. Plus, James had played a crucial role in reviving the Russell family's struggling businesses. Truth be told, marrying her didn't seem to offer him much beyond some old family ties.