Chapter 17: Cook Him Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner!

"Good morning, CEO Li."

Yu Minglian, Ethan's secretary, greeted him with a respectful bow.

On the outside, she remained calm. On the inside, she was freaking out.

Why is the CEO smiling?!

That was never a good sign.

Was he about to fire someone? Torture someone? Was she about to become today's human sacrifice?!

Ethan nodded in acknowledgment, humming lightly as he settled into his chair. He was feeling generous today—so generous, in fact, that he made a decision on a matter that had been fiercely contested for months.

"Give this property to White Phoenix Empire."

He casually waved a stack of documents in front of her.

"We'll collaborate with them."

Yu Minglian felt her soul leave her body.

Collaborate… with WPE?!

She blinked rapidly, positive that she had misheard him.

Wasn't White Phoenix Empire HL Corp's biggest rival? Hadn't they been fighting tooth and nail for this property?

Didn't CEO Li work day and night to claim it for HL Corp?

Now, he was just giving it away?!

"B-But sir—"

Poor Yu Minglian wanted to burst into tears. She had lost five days and five nights of sleep just trying to finalize the deal for this damn property!

Ethan raised an eyebrow, sharp and piercing.

"You have something to say?"

"N-No, sir."

Yes! Yes, I do! I OBJECT!

But did she dare voice it out?

Of course not. She still valued her life.

Instead, she clenched her fists and swallowed the injustice. If she dared argue, she might as well book a one-way ticket to King Yama's underworld right now.

Yu Minglian turned to leave, ready to retrieve the necessary files when—

"Yu Minglian."

She froze. Slowly, she turned back around.

"Yes, sir?"

"Turn on your bluetooth."

Yu Minglian blinked in confusion but obeyed.

Ethan pulled out his phone and tapped a few buttons. Moments later, her device pinged with an incoming file.

Yu Minglian glanced at the screen.

It was a photo.

Of food.

A beautifully arranged breakfast of bacon, eggs, and French toast. The quality of the image was so professional that it looked like it belonged in a luxury restaurant's advertisement.

She furrowed her brows.

"Have someone develop this for me," Ethan ordered.

"...Develop, sir?"

"Also, buy a huge frame for it."

"...???"

Yu Minglian stared.

Her CEO. The ruthless, cold-blooded, cutthroat Devil of the business world…

Wanted a framed photo of breakfast.

Something is very, very wrong today.

Meanwhile, at White Phoenix Empire…

Lillie Bai strode into her office with Elliot following closely behind.

"Miss Bai," Elliot began, handing her an elegant envelope, "the Ping family sent this invitation."

Lillie accepted it, scanning the intricate gold designs before opening it.

"They wish for you to attend Elder Ping's 70th birthday next week as their honored guest," Elliot explained. "They want to personally thank you for helping them attain justice for their eldest mistress and for uncovering Zhang Guan's crimes."

Lillie nodded.

"It would be impolite to decline," she said simply, setting the invitation aside. "Call Château Éblouissant. Have them prepare a new dress for me by next week."

"Understood."

"After that, bring me the files Miss Fujikawa sent and arrange this week's flight to Japan."

Elliot raised an eyebrow.

His boss rarely traveled to meet business partners in person—usually, it was the other way around.

So why was she making the effort this time?

Lillie caught his expression and answered before he could ask.

"Miss Fujikawa is an old friend. She has aviophobia—fear of flying. I decided to go there instead."

"Ahh, I see." Elliot nodded in understanding.

It was news to him that his boss and Miss Fujikawa were friends. Though he had never met the woman, he had spoken to her over the phone several times.

He also knew that Lillie and this mysterious friend would occasionally have video calls—but as a professional, Elliot never pried.

If his Lady Boss didn't bring it up, he wouldn't ask.

And if she did? He'd simply listen.

Ring...ring...

Elliot picked up the phone.

"White Phoenix Empire, CEO Bai's assistant speaking. How may I help you?"

A brief pause.

Elliot's brows shot up in surprise.

"I'm sorry, but Miss Bai's schedule is full this week. Would you like to reschedule—"

He stopped mid-sentence.

"...What?"

His face contorted in disbelief.

"Are you sure it's that property?"

Another pause.

"...Understood. I'll inform her immediately. Thank you."

Elliot slowly placed the receiver down and turned to Lillie with an expression of barely contained excitement.

Lillie, sensing his reaction, narrowed her eyes.

"Who was it?"

"It was Hong Long Corporation."

Lillie frowned.

Ethan.

"What does that man want now?"

Elliot's lips twitched.

"I was just speaking with Mr. Li's assistant, Yu Minglian. She said HL Corp wants to collaborate with us."

Lillie raised an eyebrow.

"And?"

"And…" Elliot's grin widened, "Mr. Li has given you that property—the one you've both been fighting over for months."

Lillie froze.

Her mind went blank for a solid five seconds.

Then, slowly, it processed.

The property she had been trying to acquire for so long? The one she and Ethan had battled over in boardrooms, contracts, and private negotiations?

He… gave it to her?

Just like that?

For free?

No strings attached?

Her fingers twitched slightly as the absurd realization sank in.

She cooked him breakfast.

And he gave her an entire property.

…If I had known he was this easy to please, I wouldn't have stopped at breakfast.

I would've cooked him lunch and dinner too!