Sylvia listened to Magdalen's rapid-fire chatter and couldn't help but laugh. "Don't get too excited, or Mr. Langston will start worrying about you.'

"Sylvia, do you know how many years I've known Old Mr. Quintin?" Magdalen sighed, her voice full of feeling. “We've been friends for ages, and now you've become his real granddaughter!"

Sylvia could hear the shock in Magdalen's tone. "Honestly, I was just as surprised!"

“But I'm truly happy for you!" Magdalen said sincerely. "This is such an amazing surprise!"

She'd never liked Evelyn, so learning that Evelyn wasn't really Old Mr. Quintin's granddaughter was already good news. Then, when Ella told her that Sylvia was, it felt like hitting the jackpot.

Last night, she was so thrilled that she hugged Morrison Langston and burst out laughing, leaving Morrison completely bewildered—he even thought she might be pregnant!

"Thank you," Sylvia replied warmly. "Magdalen, I'm really glad to have you as a friend, too."

"We're not just friends now-we're family!" Magdalen said with a hearty laugh. “I'll visit Old Mr. Quintin this weekend and congratulate him in person!"

"You're always welcome!"

They chatted a little longer before hanging up.

*

That afternoon, when Milanda came to give her report, she was noticeably more reserved and careful than usual.

Unable to hold it in, she finally apologized to Sylvia. "I'm sorry, boss. I didn't mean anything bad about Mr. Carnes. I was just worried about you. I promise, I won't mention him ever again!"

Sylvia replied calmly, "Alright. Why don't you take off early today? Didn't you just start dating someone? Go enjoy your evening."

Milanda nodded quickly. "Thank you, boss. Please don't be upset-I understand now."

*

By the time Sylvia left the office, it was almost completely dark. Once again, she was the only one left.

She hadn't finished her lunch, so she carried her insulated container home, planning to reheat it for dinner.

When she got home and opened the door, she saw that the lights in the living room and kitchen were already on through the glass door, she could just make out the tall figure of a man busy in the kitchen,

A strange feeling welled up inside her. Carrying her container, Sylvia stood

motionless for a moment, surprised and quietly delighted.

He was actually cooking!

Gabriel heard the sound and came out of the kitchen holding a plate. "Come here,"

he said. "Show me how to use the oven."

Sylvia arched an eyebrow. "What are you up to?"

She changed out of her shoes and walked into the kitchen. There was a

pot simmering on the stove f fling,

the air with the rich aroma of seafood-clams, mushrooms, kaffir lime leaves, and cherry tomatoes.

On the cutting board, more ingredients were laid out. Gabriel was marinating chicken wings, his movements a bit awkward but earnest, and he'd even made professional-looking cuts in the wings.

She was about to compliment him when she noticed his phone propped up nearby, playing a video of a chef giving step-by-step instructions.

The chef was introduced as the head of a three Michelin-starred restaurant.

Of course, hiring such a chef for a private online lesson probably cost more than the meal itself.

She suddenly wanted to laugh.

Gabriel glanced at her, frowning. "What's so funny?"

Only then did Sylvia realize she'd actually started laughing out loud. Composing herself, she walked over and addressed the chef on the screen "Thank you for your

guidance. We've got it from here if we need help again, we'll be in touch. Goodbye!"