Masked In Nobility: Secrets Of Mrs. Chavez

Yvette looked at Lucas with a faint smile, leaning back on the sofa and drumming her fingers idly. She wondered, ‘What is Zachary trying to achieve with this charade?‘ She couldn’t quite tell but found Zachary’s antics mildly entertaining.

Yvette said, “Oh, it’s just missing one meal, don’t make a fuss.” Her attitude was as indifferent as could be, leaving Lucas even more puzzled.

Lucas wondered if something had happened between Ms. Zeller and Mr. Chambers that he didn’t know about. Lucas was baffled. But since the scene had reached this point, he had to brave it, thankfully backed by decades of experience.

With a heavy sigh and a seasoned poker face, Lucas continued, “Ms. Zeller, food is essential, especially at Mr. Chambers‘ age. He can’t go skipping meals with a fever.

His health just isn’t what it used to be, and he’s never been a big eater. It would mean a lot if you’d go upstairs and check on him.”

Yvette raised an eyebrow and glanced toward the staircase, where she noticed a faint shadow behind the column.

With an amused smirk, Yvette gave Lucas an order. “Fine. Go tell him I’m here. If he doesn’t come down and eat, he’ll deal with the consequences himself.”

Lucas’s mouth twitched at her bluntness–Nothing like a daily dose of Ms. Zeller’s no–nonsense charm.

Before Lucas could respond, Zachary emerged from behind the column, stumbling down the stairs with a hand on his forehead, face pale and moving as if every step had taken a monumental effort.

Feeling surprised, Zachary called out, “Oh, Yvette! I had no idea you’d be here. I specifically told Lucas not to bother you. You do not need to worry about something so minor.”

Lucas froze for a moment before turning to see Zachary coming downstairs. Mr. Chambers’s words, even the slyest pretenders couldn’t beat his act.

Lucas was almost in tears but could only nod reluctantly. Mr. Chambers was completely under Ms. Zeller’s control. After hearing what she said, Mr. Chambers headed downstairs without another word–a classic, doting father to his core.

Turning dutifully to Yvette, Lucas said, “Ms. Zeller, I’m afraid the call was my decision alone. Mr. Chambers didn’t ask me to call you.”

Zachary sank onto the sofa beside Yvette, coughing weakly as he gave her a pleading look. “Now, don’t be hard on Lucas. He was just worried. Next time, don’t trouble her over such a small issue,” he told Lucas, clearly trying to maintain his “fragile”

Lucas gritted his teeth, wishing that Mr. Chambers would stage his own drama next time without pulling him into it.

Yvette gave Zachary a cool, amused glance, crossing her legs as she rested her chin in her hand. ‘Not bad, she thought, ‘He’d certainly perfected the “frail heart” act.

Out of courtesy–and curiosity–she decided to play along, wondering what exactly he was up to.

“Why aren’t you taking your medicine? And why skip a meal?” Yvette asked.

Caught off guard by her direct questions, Zachary hesitated. He thought, ‘If I had actually taken medicine or eaten, she probably wouldn’t have rushed back.

But Zachary couldn’t risk saying that out loud—Yvette had little patience for nonsense. So he gave her his best pitiful look. “Yvette, the medicine is too bitter… and anyway, it won’t fix what’s really wrong,” he sighed, looking thoroughly miserable.

This is a psychological issue, you see, and medicine can’t cure that.”

Lucas kept his head down, struggling not to grimace. His inner critic marveled at his boss’s ability to “play up the charm,” while inwardly, he found the performance a bit too much.

Yvette’s delicate fingers stilled as she fixed Zachary with her striking gaze, cutting right through the act. “Speak plainly.

Zachary straightened up instantly, the power in those two words snapping him back to attention. Even Lucas gave an approving nod. It seemed only Yvette could keep Mr. Chambers in line.

Clearing his throat, Zachary patted his chest and ventured, “Yvette, I think I may be struggling with depression. I looked up the symptoms online, and… well, I fit all of them.”

His expression was so earnest that even Lucas, who knew the whole scheme, had to admit it was convincing.

But Yvette just raised an eyebrow, sipping her tea as she stared him down. “Diagnosing yourself online?” she replied, voice cool. “Well, you should know that online diagnoses start with cancer, at the very least. Didn’t you know?”

Zachary blinked in confusion and looked over to Lucas, utterly baffled. He thought the online diagnosis was popular. He clearly had a lot to learn about the subtleties of modern life.

Lucas had no choice but to step forward and ease the situation. “Ms. Zeller, Mr. Chambers has been unwell for quite some time now. He’s been feeling down, lacking appetite, and often seems lost in thought.

In fact, he’s even made a few costly mistakes at work, losing billions in revenue. The family doctor recommended he take a good rest, but he’s been too worried about the company to follow through. Things are only getting worse.”

Zachary couldn’t have been prouder of Lucas’s smooth performance. Lucas’s left leg was trembling a bit under Yvette’s gaze. You can’t blame him; no one can withstand the intensity of Ms. Zeller’s stare.

Zachary nodded, adding, “Yes. But don’t you worry, Yvette? I’ll keep pushing through. I’ll make sure the Chambers Group stays in good hands.” He then put on a show of weakly covering his mouth, faking a small cough, looking pitiful.

The Chambers Group was no longer Zachary’s; it now belonged to Yvette. In reality, Zachary was just a highly paid employee–though that was something outsiders didn’t know.

Yvette watched the two of them, and as the dots connected, her eyes narrowed slightly. So, this whole act was to convince her to take over the company. She could practically feel Zachary waiting for her to say, “Fine, let me take over for now.”

Then Zachary would effortlessly hand over the company to Yvette, which was a perfect plan.

But as Zachary looked at her with hope and anticipation, Yvette gave a calm nod and replied, “Since you’re convinced you can handle it, keep working then.”

Zachary’s expression froze, and a wave of disappointment washed over him. Lucas shot him a sympathetic glance; the grand plan had crumbled right before their eyes. Yvette, as ever, was not one to bend easily.

Zachary’s crushed expression nearly brought a smirk to Yvette’s lips. After a pause, Zachary finally gave in with a sigh, ending his performance.

He said sadly, Fine. I’ll take my medicine and eat. Go on back to class, then. We’re having steak for dinner–come home and join us.*

Yvette looked at Zachary blankly and started to walk toward the door but paused before stepping out. ‘Might as well let him have a little victory, she thought.

Without turning back, Yvette said in a cool tone, “One week. I’ll manage the Chambers Group for one week.”