An Assistant

Hayley's POV:

It was as if Benjamin lived in a world apart from ours. He didn’t spare Vivian so much as a glance, instead focusing all his attention on slicing the steak on my plate with meticulous care. Once he finished, he gently slid the pieces in front of me.

“This steak is top quality tonight. Try it,” Benjamin said with a soft smile.

I speared a piece, chewed thoughtfully, and swallowed. My eyes narrowed slightly as I smiled back at him. “You’re right. It’s excellent.”

Benjamin’s lips curled in quiet satisfaction. He didn’t say any more, simply lowered his gaze and continued his meal with elegant composure.

Only then did I turn my head to glance at the backyard. My voice was calm but carried authority as I instructed Steven, “If she wants to kneel, let her kneel. Don’t ruin her fun. Six, come back and eat."

Steven’s hostility melted away. He strode back to the table in three quick steps, ducking his head and leaning in close to whisper in my ear, “Next time, can you use a different nickname? I’m a financial shark, you know–give me a little dignity. “No matter how you say it, it sounds like I’m just some errand boy!”

“Oh,” I replied, utterly unbothered.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Steven scowled at me, clearly annoyed.

“How about this–I’m a few years older than you, so you call me Bro. I’ll call you Sis from now on. Using names feels too formal, don’t you think?”

I ignored him completely.

Steven cleared his throat awkwardly, searching for a way out of the conversation.

Finally, my grandfather intervened to save him from embarrassment. “Mr. Lowe, let’s eat.”

“Sure thing!”

At the table, Steven was the only one truly enjoying the meal. The rest of us ate in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. Dinner felt even quieter than usual.

Afterward, Marie, one of the house staff, came in to clear the table. Suddenly, Vivian darted into the dining room, snatched the tray from Marie’s hands, and hurriedly started piling dishes onto it.

Marie stood by, looking bewildered, her eyes flicking to us for help.

“It’s fine. Let her do it,” I reassured her. “Just think of it as having an assistant. Take a break.”

“I’m just a house staff–why would I need an assistant?” Marie replied, flustered by the attention.

“You do. Don’t be so polite with her. She likes doing these things,” I said with a faint smile.

Marie nodded quietly and stepped aside.

Chapter 730 An Assistant

Vivian, still sulking, slammed the dishes onto the tray with loud clatters.

Hera, restless inside me, wanted to burst out and put Vivian in her place, but I kept her firmly under control.

Keeping Vivian close was deliberate–I wanted to see what kind of act she’d put on.

I didn’t believe for a second she’d willingly work as a house staff just to beg me to heal her father.

“Where do I wash these?!” Vivian demanded, struggling with the tray.

“This way!” Marie hurried to guide her, and the two disappeared from sight, one after the other. Steven frowned at me. “You’re really going to let her stay? Aren’t you worried she’ll try something?”

“I have my own plans,” I replied calmly, and left it at that.

Seeing I had nothing more to say, Steven dropped the subject. Just then, Benjamin handed me his phone. “Take a look at this.”