Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 171

Returning to her one-bedroom apartment, Amber Newman immediately began prepping for her trip to Harbor Heights the next day.

Harbor Heights was Sharif Madison's primary residence, and Amber practically made a trip there every weekend.

The first reason was Sharif's cat. The second... was naturally because Sharif knew she could cook, so he relentlessly bossed her around on her days off.

His excuse was always, "Isn't taking care of your boss part of your job description? If I don't eat well, my health declines, work gets delayed—and whose fault would that be?"

Amber usually just rolled her eyes at him.

She had never seen a boss order a secretary around with such brazen confidence, leaving her utterly speechless.

But the truth was, that old fox was a much better cook than she was.

If Amber hadn't seen it and tasted it with her own eyes and mouth, she would seriously suspect Sharif just hated her guts and was using her rare weekends to squeeze every ounce of free labor out of her.

Back then, it seemed he had never suspected she wasn't single—that she had a boyfriend, and that she wanted some private time with Lucian Juarez. Even though Lucian never explicitly demanded it, she still had her own desires.

Amber genuinely wanted to beg him—plead with him—to just fire her already.

She really couldn't afford to wait on him.

In this life, Amber hadn't expected Sharif to be so trusting of her—or maybe he was just testing her again. The address he sent her was actually his own home.

Oh, whatever. It was definitely the latter. That old fox would never change his deeply suspicious nature.

The next morning, Amber washed up and was just grabbing her grocery basket to head to the market when her father, Arthur Newman, returned.

Seeing her with the basket, he was surprised. "Amber, let me go buy the groceries. It's a rare weekend; you should rest at home."

Amber clicked her tongue. "Dad, I'm not buying groceries for us. I'm buying ingredients to cook at a friend's place."

Arthur was confused. "?"

Amber looked a little unnatural, but her explanation was flawless. "It's like this. This friend has helped me a ton, and I have to repay the favor. He doesn't lack money or clothes; in fact, everything he eats, wears, and uses is way better than mine. The only decent thing I can offer him as a thank-you is a home-cooked meal."

Arthur nodded in understanding. "Oh, I see. Then let's head to the market together." At this point, he paused and asked, "Amber, which friend needs you to personally cook a meal to repay them?"

Amber was speechless.

"I will." After talking her dad out of escorting her, Amber bought her groceries and headed straight for the subway station. Just as Arthur offered to walk her to the entrance, Amber's phone rang.

Even though she hadn't saved the number, she had memorized the contacts for Sharif's inner circle—Julian Zeller, Lyle, and Charles—down to the last digit.

"Hello, Ms. Newman. This is Mr. Madison's driver, Lyle. You can call me Lyle."

"Have you finished your grocery shopping? I apologize, but Mr. Madison asked me to come pick you up. He didn't think it was right for a high school student to squeeze onto a crowded subway in the middle of summer. The car is right by the station entrance. I've already spotted you. Please get in, and I'll take you to Harbor Heights."

Amber: Since when is Sharif so chivalrous?

Before Arthur could even ask who was on the phone, a sleek, ultra-luxury car—the kind he had only ever seen on TV or in magazines—pulled up right in front of them.

The door opened automatically, and the unmistakable scent of pure wealth wafted out from the interior.

Arthur was stunned. "Amber, which of your friends is this rich?"

Lyle put down his phone and stepped out. "Hello, Ms. Newman. Hello, Mr. Newman. I am Mr. Madison's driver, ordered to pick up Ms. Newman. Please, step inside."

"Rest assured, Mr. Newman, once lunch is over, I will safely bring her back. Have a wonderful day. See you next time."