Unemployed Family? Hidden Tycoons Dote On Her novel Chapter 555

"Glad to hear it," Arabella replied, leaving it at that.

Robert immediately protested, "Dr. Hamilton, aren't you playing favorites?"

"What do you mean?" She looked genuinely confused.

"You didn't believe me, but you believe him?" Robert said, putting on a wounded expression.

Arabella couldn't help but shake her head with a soft laugh. "Mr. Stewart has no reason to lie to me."

"So I'm the one lying, then?" Robert pressed, unwilling to drop it.

"Of course not," she clarified. "But you do tend to exaggerate sometimes."

She believed Robert had definitely seen Matthew burning the midnight oil—just probably not every single night.

"You—" Robert choked back his words and grumbled, "You're taking his side."

"Sure, let's go with that," Arabella said, not feeling the need to explain further.

Robert suddenly leaned a little closer and lowered his voice. "Arabella, you don't actually have a thing for my good-for-nothing grandson, do you?"

"Huh?" Arabella looked blank for a second, not quite catching his drift.

"Haven't you noticed?" Robert went on. "You treat him differently from everyone else."

"Do I?" Arabella shook her head lightly. "I don't think so."

"Well, just pretend you didn't hear that, then," Robert said, deciding not to push it. Some things were better left as hints.

"Okay," she agreed easily, deciding not to waste any more brainpower on it.

Robert's mouth twitched slightly. He let out a quiet sigh and shook his head.

"Mr. Stewart, are you alright?" Naomi asked with concern. "You're not feeling unwell, are you?"

"No, no." Robert waved a hand, pulling himself together. "Let's eat."

"Alright," Naomi responded politely.

"Mr. Stewart, if you like the soup, I can come by and make it for you again sometime," Naomi offered, her eyes hopeful.

Matthew shot her a cool glance. "That won't be necessary."

Naomi's face paled slightly. "But it's a healthy soup—really good for him."

"The chef can handle it. No need for you to go to the trouble." Matthew paused, then added politely but firmly, "Besides, you're a guest. You shouldn't have to do this kind of thing."

His words felt like a sharp sting to Naomi. She was hurting but tried not to show it.

On the surface he was being courteous, but underneath it was a clear boundary—one she wasn't meant to cross.

"I understand," she said through slightly clenched teeth, forcing herself to stay composed.

"Naomi, just come by to visit. No need to tire yourself out with all this," Robert chimed in gently.

The only reason he'd agreed to her cooking today was because she'd shown up with all the ingredients—saying no would have felt awkward.

"Okay." Naomi nodded. "I'll make sure to visit often, Mr. Stewart."

"Good," Robert said warmly before urging. "Now eat up, have some more."

Not daring to engage Matthew further, Naomi kept the conversation going with Robert instead.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify