Mysterious Mrs. Pansy

With a warm and inviting smile, Patrick encouraged, “Open it.”

Jane eagerly opened the lunch box, and the delightful aroma of the food wafted out. It was filled with all her favorite dishes.

Jane’s curiosity got the better of her, and she inquired, “Where did you get this?”

Her stomach, having been forgotten amid the rush of work, began to grumble at the smell.

Patrick, still smiling, explained, “I cooked for you. I know that once you start working, dinner tends to slip your mind.”

Jane felt a rush of warmth through her, and she gratefully replied, “Thank you!”

She couldn’t resist trying the food and told Patrick, “It’s delicious.”

Patrick watched with a pleased expression as Jane enjoyed her meal.

Suddenly, her phone rang, displaying Osborn’s name on the screen. Patrick’s mood darkened slightly.

Jane, however, picked up the call, asking, “Osborn, what’s the matter?”

Osborn’s voice exuded concern, “Hi, Jane. I saw the news about Love Jewelry today. I know it’s put you in a tough spot. But don’t worry. I will testify on your behalf to prove that you didn’t plagiarize the designs.”

Jane appreciated Osborn’s support and replied with a small smile, “Thank you. I can take care of it myself. Right now, I’m more concerned about how my design was leaked.”

She knew that proving Love Jewelry’s plagiarism at the upcoming press conference would be a challenge. Osborn’s testimony would be helpful, but they needed to address the leak.

When Patrick saw the name Osborn on Jane’s phone, he couldn’t hide his displeasure.

Jane ignored Patrick’s reaction and continued with the call. Osborn inquired if Jane had any suspicions about who might have leaked the information.

Jane replied noncommittally, “I don’t know.”

After ending the call, Jane turned to Patrick, prompting him, “Patrick, who do you think leaked the information?”

Patrick responded, “I’ve asked Morton to investigate. We will see some results soon.”

Jane nodded and decided to shift her focus back to work. After finishing dinner, she intended to continue, but Patrick insisted on taking her home, claiming she wasn’t feeling well and needed rest.

Resigned to the situation, Jane agreed to go with him, as she knew she wouldn’t be able to work effectively with him hovering around her. They entered the elevator, with Patrick reassuring Jane that she needed rest.

In the elevator, as Jane pressed the button for the first floor, the light in the ceiling made a sizzling sound, flickered, and then plunged them into darkness. Jane couldn’t help but let out a frightened scream, as she had been terrified of darkness since childhood.

Jane crouched on the floor, her mind swirling with fragments of memories that made little sense. She was consumed by fear, but Patrick’s soothing voice reached her ears, assuring, “Don’t be scared.”

Without hesitation, Patrick embraced her, pressing his lips to her ear and reassuring her, “Don’t be scared. I’m here with you.”

Jane found solace in his words, as his voice was like a ray of light in the darkness, providing her with warmth that banished her fear. Her initial sense of dread dissipated as she leaned into his chest.

As Jane steadied herself, she questioned, “What happened?”

Patrick responded with concern, “Something must be wrong with the elevator.”

He took out his phone and activated its flashlight, asking, “What should we do now?”

Jane, still leaning on Patrick for comfort, feared they might be trapped in the dark elevator for hours.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Noting how reliant on him Jane was, Patrick couldn’t help but smile, as her vulnerability was a side of her he hadn’t expected.

The darkness had revealed a different facet of the strong and independent Jane.

While they waited for the elevator to be repaired, Patrick held her close, savoring her delicate scent. He found himself once again contemplating the uncanny similarities between Jane and Candy.

Jane’s vulnerability only deepened his desire to protect her. After the elevator was fixed, Patrick walked Jane to her apartment.

He watched her with a hint of concern, noticing her reliance on him.

Jane, on the other hand, was feeling a bit self-conscious, having been pressed so closely to Patrick. She apologized, “I’m sorry for clinging to you in there. I’m just terribly afraid of the darkness.”

Patrick shared a surprising revelation, “Candy was also terrified of the darkness.”

Jane was taken aback. So, Patrick thought she was Candy again? Pursing her lips, she was about to retort when she heard Patrick asking, “Jane, are you really not Candy?”