Chapter 32

Michael had been so swamped all morning that his hands were starting to cramp up.

He usually didn't spend much time at the office, which meant a mountain of documents piled up needing his signature.

When Aaron brought them over. Michael was taken aback.

He spent the entire morning reading andsigning,barely lifting his head.

During a break, he called Robert to arrange for the family driver to pick up Isabella.

Seeing Michael so busy, Jeremy sauntered over, grinning, "Michael, do you know why Ms. Johnson suddenly came back?"

Michael ignored him and kept signing.

Jeremy leaned on Michael's desk, lowered his voice, and said, "I heard Ms.Johnson came back to set you up on a blind date."

Michael finally looked up, surprised.

Jeremy teased, "See, at critical moments, you can always count on me! Be nicer to me, Mr.Johnson."

Michael sneered, "If she's not afraid of me offending all her connections,she can arrange all she wants. I won't like any of the people she sets me up with anyway."

Jeremy gave him a knowing look and said, "You really don't want to go on a blind date? If you settle down sooner, Wesley would be more at ease handing over the company to you."

Michael said indifferently, "Jeremy, if you like blind dates, I'll have Qiana

arrange them for you. I don't care about the company."

Michael always treated him like an equal.

Hearing Michael say he'd have Qiana arrange blind dates for him, Jeremy panicked and quickly said, "I don't need blind dates; I already like someone."

"Yeah. I know. You like Qiana, the one you can't have," Michael laughed."I also like someone, butunlike you, we like each other."

Michael always knew how to make people uncomfortable in conversations.

"Is..." Jeremy almost blurted out Eric's name but stopped himself just in time.

"Don't ask," Michael said, thinking Jeremy was increasingly distracted from work and doubting if Jeremy could handle the VP position.

Jeremy muttered under his breath, 'You like Eric. Of course, you don't want me to ask.

"By the way, can you find out if the Allen family has any restaurant businesses?" Michael asked Jeremy. "I had Aaron look into it, but he doesn't know enough about the headquarters to find any information."

Jeremy said, "Aaron asked me about it, but I didn't know what you were up to, so I didn't go into detail. Why do you want to know?"

For once, Michael didn't retort and seriously said, "Mr. Allen's son Eric is a great cook. I want to know how he learned it. I thought maybe their family owns a restaurant, so he got so good. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense. Find out which restaurant it is and help me poach the chef."

Jeremy asked,"Are you planning to get into the restaurant business?"

Michael replied, "No, I want him to teach me how to cook. I've never

cooked before, but I think I have more talent than Eric. If I learn, I should be better than him."

Jeremy was speechless, thinking, 'Is this some kind of couple's game? How much does Michael love Eric? Michael even wants their cooking to be the same. If Eric were a girl, I'd fully'support them. But, unfortunately, it's Eric. No, I have to get Michael back on track.'

Jeremy said, "Michael, you used to like girls, right?"

"That's right." Michael nodded.

He thought to himself, 'Not only did I like girls before, but I still do now.'

Jeremy kept pushing, "Then... why Eric? Look at me, not bad,right? Look at Aaron, he's handsome too. Even your driver Jerry, tall and strong,though not as refined, has his own charm. Why Eric? Victor is conservative; he would kill you if he finds out what you two are doing."

Michael scoffed, thinking Jeremy was just trying to scare him. Keeping a secret about Eric could endanger his safety? Please.

Michael couldn't stand Jeremy's nagging and tuned him out, focusing on signing documents.

Just as he finished signing and was about to stretch his fingers,Jeremy dragged hm to the airport.

It was still early, so Michael leaned against a pillar playing on his phone,while Jeremy kept a close eye on the exit, afraid of missing the person they were waiting for.

Finally, when Qiana appeared, Jeremy's face lit up with happiness.

"Qiana is so beautiful!" Jeremy exclaimed.

"Put that look away, or Qiana will punch you!" Michael coldly reminded

him, dlisliking his expression.

Qiana's skin was smooth and delicate, her lips red and refined like blooming rose petals; her long hair casually draped over her shoulders,and she was wearing a white long dress with a dark coat over it. As she walked,her dress and coat fluttered, making it seem like she walked with the wind.

She strode forward,followed by her assistant, who had to jog to keep up.

Jeremy somehow produced a bouquet of red roses, handed it to Michael to hold. took out a wet wipe from his pocket, carefully wiped his hands,and then approached with the roses. "Ms. Johnson, welcome back!"

Qiana opened her arms and hugged Jeremy, not letting go for a long time.Jeremy greedily inhaled Qiana's scent, feeling a bit intoxicated, thinking his life was complete.

Qiana said, "Jeremy, thank you for your hard work during this time."

Jeremy replied, "Qiana, it's not hard. For our family, no amount of hard work is too much."

Qiana released Jeremy and turned to hug Michael.

Michael put his phone back in his pocket, opened his arms,and hugged Qiana,whining, "Qiana, you're finally back. While you were gone,Jeremy kept bullying me, making me do so much work, even pushing his own tasks onto me."

"Michael, don't be childish. These tasks will be yours sooner or later,"Qiana said gently but with a powerful tone. "If you find Jeremy a nuisance,I'll take him away."

"See, I knew Qiana wouldn't abandon me," Jeremy said, casting a challenging look at Michael.

Michael ignored his provocation and teased, "When the time comes,you'll find it hard to even breathe some free air."

Jeremy was about to say something when Qiana patted his shoulder and said emotionally, "Jeremy, these three years have been hard on you."

Jeremy hugged Qiana tightly, leaning on her shoulder, saying,"Not hard at all. As long as I can do something for you, no hardship matters."

"Qiana, you need to control him. He's always pledging his loyalty. Take him away quickly!" Michael didn't want to see Jeremy acting like that anymore.

Jeremy immediately shouted, "You don't need to worry about me and Qiana."

Qiana calmly said, "Anyway, Jeremy at least has a fixed goal in his love life.But you're so grown up and still don't have a steady girlfriend. Tonight,come with me to a blind date. I've already arranged dinner with Autumn Foster."

N