Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Ruben was just as surprised.

"Kailee, you've got a boyfriend now?"

Kailee nodded, a smug smile lighting up her face.

"Yeah, and he's a real looker."

Lewis's face turned even colder. "You mean that King guy? Didn't he just get married? Are you trying to be the other woman here?"

There was a sharp edge to his words.

Kailee's frown deepened, annoyed that Lewis seemed to know everything about her personal life.

"It's not him. King's wife is actually a good friend of mine now, so don't go spreading rumors. My boyfriend is someone else entirely. Anyway, I gotta head back. He's waiting for me at home and will get mad if I'm late." What a load of nonsense. She'd been chasing after King for years, just to be constantly overlooked.

And when King did show up, it was usually a one-sided thing, leaving Kailee hanging out with Isaac instead.

Running after him only to end up playing stepmom to Isaac, who turned out to be just as heartless.

Just thinking about it made Kailee feel down.

She left quickly, with Lewis watching her leave, a frown creasing his brow.

Ruben's face darkened noticeably. It was obvious something was up between those two.

"Kenzo."

She wanted to dig deeper, but Lewis just chuckled.

"Sorry, got plans this afternoon, can't stick around."

Ruben was fuming, but Lewis was already on his way out.

He got into his car, noticing Kailee's car parked ahead, engine off.

She wasn't inside.

Curious, Lewis headed over to a nearby diner he knew well.

And there was Kailee, quietly enjoying a bowl of chili with a side of cornbread.

The diner owner, a friendly lady who seemed to know Kailee well, sighed.

"Every time after you hit those fancy places, you end up here for a real meal. Why bother, Ms. Kailee?"

Sitting on a bar stool, Kailee asked

for more meatballs and a side of seaweed salad. "You don't get it. My family is ridiculously wealthy, wealthy enough to franchise your diner across North America. I can't

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women, so I have to put

show. Their food is overpriced and never filling, but I have to keep up appearances, you know? Ever seen a socialite scarf down food? It's a hassle."

"Why not just avoid them then?" the owner asked.

"And let them gossip about me behind my back? They're just regular workers, making in a year what I earn in bank interest. If I skip a meet-up, they'll think my family's bankrupt. Just one missed outing, and they'd start rumors about us going under."

Kailee was a regular at this diner and had grown quite fond of the owner.

"By the way, weren't you worried about your son not finding a girlfriend? How's that going?"

The woman's face clouded with concern.

"Still no luck, and now he's thinking of changing jobs. I just want him to settle down, not keep chasing money. What's the use?"

Kailee, munching on her meal, eyes sparkling, said, "Why not come cook for me? I'll pay you a hundred grand a month. I can't go a day without your food. And if your family ever needs money, just give me a call."

The woman chuckled. "We're not

going bankrupt. My son's a doctor with a knack for business. He even studied psychology to understand a condition his girlfriend had. Butthey broke up, and he hasn't touched psychology since."

Kailee felt a pang of empathy. "Your son sounds devoted, studying psychology for her sake."

Pride glowed on the woman's face. "He's just like his father. He wouldn't let down the woman he loves. It's in his blood."

"And why did they break up?"noveldrama

"She left him. She was a bit immature, didn't even realize they were in a relationship, asking him if he'd kick her out once he found a 'real' girlfriend. Imagine that." Kailee paused, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu.