Chapter 129: I don’t miss him on empty stomach
The atmosphere inside the car turned unbearably tense.
Mark loosened his tie and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Why does it suddenly feel so hot?" he muttered under his breath.
He glanced at the dashboard. The air conditioner was running perfectly.
"So why do I feel like I’m sitting inside an oven?"
Frowning, he leaned forward slightly.
"Boss, do you think the car needs servicing? Maybe the A—"
The moment he turned toward Dominic, the rest of his sentence disappeared.
"..."
Dominic was calmly sitting beside him, staring out of the window.
At least... he looked calm. But the icy glare reflected in the window was enough to send chills racing down Mark’s spine.
Mark immediately swallowed the rest of his words.
"Now I know why I was feeling suffocated. It’s not the car...my boss is mentally butchering me."
He forced an awkward cough. "Ahem... Boss."
No response.
"Would... would you like to take another car?"
Dominic slowly turned his head. "Why?"
Mark offered a stiff smile. "I just thought... perhaps you’d be more comfortable."
"I am comfortable."
"..."
"Then why am I the uncomfortable one?" Mark screamed inwardly.
The silence returned. Every passing second felt like an hour. Unable to bear it any longer, Mark secretly prayed for traffic.
"Please, just one red light. One tiny traffic jam. Even a flat tire would be appreciated right now."
Unfortunately, fate ignored him.
Just as he was contemplating whether jumping out of the moving car would hurt less than staying inside it, Dominic finally spoke.
"Mark."
"Y-Yes, Boss?"
Dominic’s voice was frighteningly calm.
"Because of you..." Mark’s heart skipped a beat, "...my wife cried."
"..."
Mark’s eyes widened so much they nearly popped out of their sockets.
"W-What?"
Dominic slowly looked at him. "Do you know what that means?"
Mark froze.
"He’s really going to kill me today."
Mark’s brain immediately began replaying every conversation he’d had over the past week.
Nothing.
Not a single memory explained why he was suddenly being sentenced for a crime he didn’t even know he had committed.
If anything, he should have been the one crying.
After all, it was always Madam who unknowingly dragged him into these impossible situations.
Taking a careful breath, Mark forced himself to remain calm.
"Boss..." he began cautiously, his voice noticeably hoarse. "I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re talking about."
Dominic remained silent.
"Could you... perhaps elaborate?"
Dominic turned to look at him with complete seriousness.
"Because you reminded me about the business trip..."
Mark nodded slowly.
"...my wife became sad."
"..."
"She almost cried."
"..."
"So."
Dominic folded his arms.
"No bonus for you this quarter."
Mark’s jaw dropped.
"W-What?"
"And I want this meeting finished in one day."
"One day?" Mark nearly squeaked. "Boss, it’s scheduled for three!"
"Then make three days fit into one."
"...Boss, that’s not how time works."
"It does now."
Mark stared at him in disbelief.
"And if you fail..." Dominic’s expression remained perfectly calm. "...be prepared to get transferred to the Amazon."
"..."
"The... Amazon?"
"Yes."
"The rainforest?"
"Correct."
Mark blinked several times.
"Boss... our company doesn’t even have a branch there."
"We’ll open one."
"...Just to transfer me?"
"If necessary."
Mark felt his soul leave his body.
"This is no longer a business trip."
"This is a survival challenge."
He rubbed his temples.
"Boss... with all due respect..."
"What?"
"I think Madam would be very upset if she found out you’re bullying your secretary."
Dominic didn’t even hesitate. "She won’t."
"How are you so sure?" he asked cautiously.
"Because I’m not going to tell her."
"..."
"Unbelievable."
Mark let out a long, defeated sigh.
"So, to summarize..."
"I lose my bonus."
"Correct."
"I have to compress a three-day meeting into one."
"Correct."
"And if I fail..."
"You’ll become one with nature."
"..."
Mark stared blankly out the window.
"Dear Mom... If you don’t hear from me after this trip... Please don’t look for me. I’ll probably be negotiating quarterly reports with monkeys in the Amazon."
***
Back at the Sterling Mansion, Butler James and the servants couldn’t help but grow concerned.
Their usually cheerful and energetic Madam had been unusually quiet ever since she returned home.
Normally, Clara would be chatting with everyone, teasing the chefs, or sneaking desserts before dinner.
Today... she had barely spoken a word.
One of the maids leaned closer to Butler James and whispered nervously,
"Should we inform Master that Madam isn’t eating anything?"
The old butler sighed and glanced toward the dining room.
It really was unusual.
Even Clara’s favorite dishes had failed to brighten her mood.
"Perhaps you’re right," Butler James replied thoughtfully. "Master did tell us he would return as soon as possible and asked us to take good care of Madam."
Just then, Silvia and Lily walked into the room.
"What is everyone gathered here for?" Silvia asked curiously.
Butler James lowered his voice as though discussing a national emergency.
"Madam is missing Master."
Silvia blinked.
"...What?"
"Look at her," the butler whispered dramatically. "She hasn’t touched a single dish."
Lily frowned.
"Who hasn’t eaten?"
"Madam."
He pointed toward the dining table.
"She hasn’t even touched—"
But before he could finish, he instinctively turned to look at Clara again.
His eyes widened.
His jaw slowly dropped.
"..."
The maids followed his gaze.
Every single one of them froze.
"M-Madam!"
Meanwhile... at the dining table, Clara was stuffing food into her mouth so quickly that she nearly choked.
Cough!
She grabbed a glass of water and gulped it down before immediately reaching for another dish.
"You were the one who sent him," she mumbled between bites. "So why are you acting like this now?"
She shoveled another spoonful of rice into her mouth.
"No..."
Another bite.
"Why does this house suddenly feel so empty?"
Another bite.
"I miss him already."
From the entrance, everyone stood in stunned silence.
Butler James rubbed his eyes.
"...Wasn’t Madam depressed five seconds ago?"
Silvia nodded blankly.
"I think she still is."
"Then... why is she eating like she’s competing in a food championship?"
Lily folded her arms.
"I believe this is what’s called emotional eating."
Clara suddenly pointed her spoon toward no one in particular.
"I’m not emotionally eating."
Everyone blinked.
"..."
She took another enormous bite.
"I’m simply..."
Chew.
"...making sure..."
Chew.
"...I don’t miss him on an empty stomach."
Silvia covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
Butler James looked utterly conflicted.
"So... should I still call Master?"
Lily smiled.
"I don’t think that’s necessary."
"Why?"
"Because the moment Master finds out Madam skipped one meal, he’ll charter a private jet back."
Silvia nodded in agreement.
"And if he sees her eating like this..."
"He’ll probably order another chef."
Clara sighed dramatically as she hugged her bowl.
"This is all Dominic’s fault."
The servants exchanged helpless smiles.
Only their madam could complain about missing her husband... while asking for a second serving of dessert.