The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 231

Chester quickly interjected, “Jamie, don’t be so harsh. I just saw her working and wanted to lend a hand, that’s all.”

Jamie’s cold gaze swept over them both before settling on Suzie. “Get back to your work,” he said flatly.

“Yes, Mr. Baylor,” Suzie replied respectfully, eager for an excuse to leave.

But Chester was long accustomed to Jamie’s icy demeanor. For anyone else, being cold was a sign of anger, but for Jamie, it was simply his default state.

So, paying it no mind, Chester picked up the tableware and hurried after Suzie.

Walking ahead, Suzie was oblivious until she suddenly heard Jamie’s voice boom from behind her.

“Chester, if you enjoy working so much, you can stay at Baylor Manor and be my servant.”

Chester kept walking, calling back over his shoulder, “Sure, why not? I’ve got nothing better to do since I came back. I’ll just follow Ms. Sterling around and do whatever she does.”

Hearing their exchange, Suzie felt stuck. She didn't know whether to stop or what to say, and she certainly didn't want to see the long, sour look on Jamie’s face, so she kept moving without pause.

She reached the kitchen, but there were no maids in sight, and Lucy was nowhere to be found.

Guessing that Jamie was still in the dining room, she turned on the faucet to start washing the dishes.

“You’re washing them by hand?” Chester asked in surprise. “Isn’t there a dishwasher right there?”

“I’m not used to it,” Suzie replied coolly.

“Then let me help you,” Chester said, already rolling up his shirt sleeves.

Suzie stopped what she was doing and glanced toward the kitchen entrance. Seeing no sign of Jamie, her voice turned frigid.

“Sir, you’re disturbing me. And when you leave, Mr. Baylor is going to blame me, and I’ll probably lose my job. So, for my sake, please leave now.”

Suzie’s lips parted, but she didn’t know what to say, so she turned her attention back to the sink and continued washing.

Soon, Jamie’s voice broke the silence from behind her.

“Why were you talking to him?”

“I wasn’t talking to him,” Suzie explained calmly. “He was talking to me.”

“You could have just ignored him.”

Suzie felt a wave of exasperation but suppressed it, keeping her tone gentle. “He’s a guest, and I’m a servant. It’s only polite to respond.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Jamie’s signature scent of cologne and tobacco washed over her.

Before Suzie could react, Jamie pressed himself tightly against her side, his voice still tinged with annoyance as he whispered in her ear, “Suzie, it seems you’ve caught his eye…”