Chapter 143
The row of spotlights on the hotel corridor ceiling cast a soft, warm glow in Scott’s deep eyes. His hand was still wrapped around Mamie’s, and when she met that intense gaze, she forgot to pull away.
They stood there in silence for five long seconds before both finally let go. Scott calmly reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a dark blue handkerchief, dabbing at the tea stain on his chest. “Mamie, do you work here at the hotel p>
Mamie bit her lip. “Yes, Mr. Stephens p>
He nodded, though the stain wasn’t coming out anytime soon. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it over his arm, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallowed. “You don’t have to get so close when you apologize to a guest p>
With that, Scott looked away and walked past her, heading straight for the elevator.
Mamie watched the elevator doors close behind him, only then realizing what had just happened. Was Mr. Stephens calling her unprofessional? Or worse, was he saying she was being inappropriate?
Scott pressed the button for the first floor and stared at the numbers as they changed, his thoughts in chaos. He had never lost control like this over a woman before, and they had only met once.
His lips pressed tight. Was it just because they looked alike? The elevator dinged and the doors slid open.
Whatever longing or tension had flickered in Scott’s eyes a moment ago disappeared in an instant.
“Scott, do you want me to take your jacket?” His assistant was waiting by the elevator, hand outstretched.
Scott shifted the jacket lower, out of reach. His voice was cool and distant. “No, it’s fine. It’s not heavy, I’ll carry it myself p>
The assistant didn’t think much of it and nodded respectfully. “Alright, Scott p>
Later, in the employee cafeteria, Dorothea noticed a strange flush on Mamie’s cheeks.
“Mamie, are you feeling hot p>
Mamie shook her head, trying to seem casual. “No, Dorothea, I’m fine p>
Her heart was still racing. She couldn’t understand why even after meeting Mr. Stephens for the second time, she was just as shaken by his presence as before.
Thinking about how she’d acted in front of Scott… did she come off as unprofessional? And wasn’t he her friend’s husband’s older brother?
That thought made her even more flustered. “Dorothea, I’m going to grab some food p>
Dorothea glanced up at Mamie’s retreating back, her curiosity piqued. What had gotten into her? In Dorothea’s exes, Mamie had always been the picture of confidence and composure, even in a crisis.
But Dorothea wasn’t the type to pry. She just went back to her lunch.
Not long after, Mamie seemed to have pulled herself together, her usual calm back in place.
The afternoon meeting went off without a hitch. When it was over, Dorothea waited until everyone else had left, then stopped to thank Scott.
He waved off the formality with a slight arch of his brow. “No need to be so polite. We’re all family here p>
Dorothea paused, then let out a small, surprised laugh.
She had never really thought of herself as part of the Stephens family.
Latham’s older brother was only three years older than him, but he seemed so much more mature, so much more composed. His eyes always looked like they could see. right through people.
Dorothea wasn’t sure if Latham had ever told Scott about their contract marriage,
but she decided to give him a heads-up anyway.
Sorry, Scott might have figured out that our marriage is just for show.
The reply came back quickly and calm. Don’t worry about it. He’s got better things to
do than meddle in my business. Relax.
That message finally put Dorothea at ease.
On the way home, Latham brought it up. “What did you and Scott talk about today p>
“Nothing special,” Dorothea said. “I just thanked him for his help and support. He said not to be so polite, we’re all family p>
She hesitated, then added, “The
finance team was doing inventory at the hotel today. I haven’t hosted a government-style meeting before, so I was worried I might have messed
something up. I just want to do better next time p>
Latham leaned back, spinning a silver lighter in his hands. “No need to worry. Scott’s old-school, but he’s not that hard to get along with p>