Chapter 4202

Chapter 4202

Tatum said, “Miss, you should drink it now. If you wait too long, it’ll get cold.” Elora accepted the bowl of soup and took a graceful sip.

After finishing half of it, she set the bowl down. “I’m a little tipsy, but not completely. I can still walk unaided, and my mind is clear. I remember everything I did and said. Half a bowl is sufficient for me.”

It was late, and she preferred not to consume too much liquid before bedtime.

“Tatum, whose daughter is your fiancée? Where is she? If you don’t mind, could you tell me?” Elora pressed on. She had asked him before, but he had never given her a direct answer.

He always brushed off her inquiries, saying he wanted to prioritize work and that marriage wasn’t urgent. He reminded her that he was still in his twenties—his older brother didn’t marry until he was thirty. If he didn’t find a wife this year, he could afford to wait a little longer.

Elora suddenly felt a pang of jealousy toward his fiancée. She had done nothing yet already had him.

She wondered what his fiancée had done to win his grandmother’s approval, enough for her to personally arrange the match and impose a one-year deadline for him to win her over.

Having already worked as her private chef for three months, he had nine months remaining to fulfill his grandmother’s wishes.

A thought crossed Elora’s mind—keeping him as her chef indefinitely. If he were always by her side, cooking for her daily, he wouldn’t have time to pursue his fiancée.

But she quickly dismissed the idea.

She didn’t want to become an obstacle in his life.

She admired him and perhaps felt something deeper. But that was because he was extraordinary—a man unlike anyone she had ever met. Still, she refused to be the other woman.

She didn’t need to be.

If he genuinely wanted to pursue his fiancée, she wouldn’t stand in his way.

his way.

Unless…

Unless he chose differently—if he decided to reject his grandmother’s plan, abandon the pursuit, and declare his love for her instead. Then, he would fight for his happiness.

If he walked away from his grandmother’s arrangement, he would be single.

After all, he hadn’t even met his fiancée yet. He hadn’t begun to pursue her. She might not even be aware that she was meant to be his future wife.

Tatum looked at Elora, and she held his gaze. Their eyes locked, and a quiet intensity filled the space between them.

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Tatum spoke softly. “Miss, I haven’t begun pursuing her yet. She doesn’t even know she’s my intended. It’s best to keep it that way for now—for her reputation’s sake. A woman’s reputation is crucial. When the time comes, you’ll know who she is. My grandmother chose her for me, and with her standards, I have no doubt she made the right choice.”

Elora pressed, “There’s no one else here, and I can keep a secret. I won’t say a word. Just tell me. I promise it won’t get out, so it won’t affect your fiancée’s reputation.” Tatum still didn’t respond. Instead, he said, “I’m sorry, Miss. I can’t say anything right now.”

The timing wasn’t right.

She had begun to feel something for him, but it wasn’t deep enough yet.

Tatum feared that if he revealed the truth too soon, she would snap out of it, realizing that he had come here for one reason only—to pursue his wife.

Because from the very beginning, it had always been about her.