I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

The restaurant had been doing well since its opening, reaching a turnover of two million dollars in just half a month, averaging over a hundred thousand dollars each day. With the restaurant bustling and tables turning over frequently, Meredith was in high spirits, and Terrence Sterling jokingly suggested she could start a chain.

Whenever Meredith had free time, she enjoyed visiting the restaurant, often sharing a cheese fondue with Reese when she craved it. Reese and Meredith had grown close, and Meredith had come to know more about Reese's family. Reese had been sending money home for years, only for her parents to hand it over to her brother. Meredith, empathizing deeply, said, "Reese, you should start thinking about yourself. You're thirty-five, and you've done enough supporting your family. Your brother isn't your responsibility."

It was a poignant moment for Reese, who felt the years of hardship and sacrifice weigh heavily. Her eyes welled up with tears as she shared, "I know, but I can't bear to hear my mom cry on the phone. We're a family, after all, and I help when I can."

"You can help, but within your means," Meredith advised, handing her a piece of beef. "Eat up. You really need to start planning for yourself."

Blushing, Reese replied, "Okay, I'll try to get married before I turn forty. Meredith, I really want to find a man and settle down."

At thirty-five, the desire for a partner was only natural, especially after being single for so long. Meredith, slightly taken aback, joked, "Reese, you haven't... done that yet, have you?"

Reese's face turned even redder as she shyly nodded. Meredith was genuinely surprised, "Reese, you're quite a catch then! It's so rare nowadays. Whoever marries you is going to be very lucky."

Reese expressed her concerns, "I'm afraid people will be scared off when they hear about my family. It's too much responsibility for most."

"That's why you need to set your boundaries," Meredith encouraged her. "Happiness is something you have to fight for."

Curious about Meredith's own romantic life, Reese asked, "How did you and Mr. Sterling end up together? Did he pursue you, or did you pursue him?"

Meredith laughed, revealing a playful side of her story, "I slept him. Sometimes I think about it and laugh so hard I could wake up from a dream."

As they continued their meal and chat, Meredith overheard two women at a nearby table excitedly discussing, "It's amazing, Azure, that Azure Thornfield, she's coming back! She's my favorite dancer, and she's going to be on a reality show. We should watch it together."

The name Azure Thornfield struck a chord with Meredith. Stella had mentioned her before as Terrence Sterling's ex-girlfriend.

Meanwhile, at Sterling Corporation, Harvey Fieldmouse burst into the office, "Boss, have you seen the news online? Azure is back."

The mention of Azure brought a frown to Terrence Sterling's face, stirring memories. "Show me," he demanded.

After reviewing the message on Harvey's phone, Terrence's expression grew complex. Harvey, worried, questioned, "Boss, why would Azure come back now after being gone for years?"

"That's none of your concern. I have a meeting to attend. Just do your job," Terrence replied coolly, leaving for his meeting while Harvey remained worried.

Harvey couldn't shake the feeling that Azure's return was ill-timed and could spell trouble, especially if Meredith found out. His intuition told him that they were in for a storm.