Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

Nora Ainsworth was overjoyed. ”Well, congratulations! You and Ethan Ellsworth need to take good care of each other.”

Chloe Marshall nodded. ”Nora, we had our wedding photos taken today. Boss Ellsworth asked me where we should get a house, and I said I wanted to live near you. He’s planning to buy a place in an upscale neighborhood, too.”

Nora Ainsworth grew excited. ”That’s wonderful, Chloe! I’m so happy for you. Oh, by the way, once Zeke has had some time to recover, if he’s willing, tell him he can come back and be my manager again. Even though I probably won’t be acting much anymore.”

”Zeke would love to. He was asking me just a few days ago if he could come back to work with you. He was just worried you wouldn’t want him back.”

”Of course I would! He’s welcome back anytime.”

After talking for a little while, they got into their respective cars and headed home.

In the car, Nora Ainsworth looked at her two little treasures beside her. ”I saw you talking with your aunt just now. What was it about?”

Elmer Grant answered, ”Well, Mommy, Dorothy told us her mommy and daddy have been ’making a little sister’ for the past few days, so I asked Auntie if they’d made her yet.”

Nora Ainsworth was speechless.

After a moment of stunned silence, she replied, ”You’re just a kid, but you seem to know a lot. You can’t ask adults questions like that. It’s impolite.”

”Okay.” Elmer Grant nodded, though he didn’t seem to fully understand.

After dinner, Dylan Grant went to his room to do homework, while Elmer, who wasn’t fond of studying, stayed in his room to play.

Nora Ainsworth had planned to spend some time with them, but Quentin Grant suddenly pulled her back into their bedroom.

”Darling, you love to act, don’t you?” he murmured into her neck.

”Hm?”

”So now, we’re going to role-play. You can act with me. Kissing scenes, bed scenes... we can have it all. And I won’t be calling ’cut’.”

Nora Ainsworth turned around, her interest piqued. She asked with a grin, ”Okay, you’re on! Who’s afraid of who? Let’s do it. So, what are we playing?”

Quentin Grant considered for a moment, then chuckled. ”How about the village chief and the little widow? But... it looks like we don’t have any props.”

Nora Ainsworth gestured at him. ”Wait right here. Leave the props to me.”

She then went downstairs and came back up a short while later, holding a few articles of clothing.

She handed him a heavy coat. ”Put this on. I borrowed them from the couple who cleans for us.”

Quentin Grant looked at it with disdain.

”It’s not dirty, they’re all clean. There’s a hat too. I’m going to get changed. Haha, this padded floral jacket will make me look just like a little widow.”

Thinking about the scene that was about to unfold, Quentin Grant took off his shirt and suit and put on the man’s clothes.

Nora Ainsworth pinned up her long hair, revealing her smooth forehead, and put on her costume.

The two of them were ready to begin.

Quentin Grant stood at the bathroom door with his hands tucked in his sleeves. He looked ridiculous.

He said in a low voice, ”Orchid, open the door.”

Standing in front of him, Nora Ainsworth nearly burst out laughing. She responded in character, ”Who’s there?”

”It’s me, the village chief. Open up, now.”

”What business d’you have with me?”

”I heard you’ve been pretty lonely these past few years, with no one by your side. On a cold and dreary night like this, I thought I’d bring ya a little warmth.” Quentin Grant played his part convincingly.

Nora Ainsworth feigned opening the door and looked at him with a sly smile. ”Chief, I ain’t cold. If you wanna bring warmth, money will do just fine.”

Quentin Grant waved a hand dismissively. ”Why be so polite? Askin’ for money is so tacky. A person’s more substantial.”

He then closed the bathroom door and chuckled. ”So, Orchid... the kids are asleep, right?”

Nora Ainsworth nodded. ”Chief, would you like some tea?”

”Nope.”

”Then please have a seat.”

Quentin Grant suddenly grabbed her hand. Nora Ainsworth pretended to flinch. ”Chief, what are you doin’? Please don’t kill me.”

He couldn’t contain his glee. ”Look how scared ya are! Orchid, I know you’ve had a crush on me for years. It’s just a shame that old hag of mine at home won’t kick the bucket. But no matter! Orchid, as long as you’re with me, I’ll make sure you eat and drink well. You’ll be able to do whatever you want in this village, swaggerin’ around like a crab.”

Feigning a defiant spirit, Nora Ainsworth said, ”Chief, I ain’t lookin’ for a man right now. Why don’t you go check on the next widow down the road?”

”Is it ’cause you think I’m ugly?”

She shook her head. ”Your ugliness has nothing to do with your face...”

As soon as Nora Ainsworth said it, Quentin Grant broke character and burst out laughing.

The two of them couldn’t stop laughing.

Finally, Quentin Grant told her firmly, ”No more breaking character. We have to see this through to the end.”

”What else do you want to play?”

”Doctor and patient.”

Nora Ainsworth raised her hand. ”I’ll be the patient then.”

”You were always going to be the patient. Begin.”

Nora Ainsworth sat on the edge of the bed and looked at him. ”Doctor, I hurt all over. From head to toe, front to back, everywhere hurts. Do I have a terminal illness?”

Quentin Grant clasped his hands behind his back and said with a serious expression, ”And when did these symptoms begin?”

Nora Ainsworth thought for a moment. ”It started a few days ago, I think.”

He nodded and stepped forward. ”Hmm. Ma’am, please lie down here. I need to perform a full-body examination—from top to bottom, front to back—a very careful inspection to avoid any misdiagnosis.”

Nora Ainsworth obediently lay down. ”Doctor, do I need to take off my clothes for the exam?”

Quentin Grant took off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and crouched beside her. ”Of course.”

So, the obedient patient took off all her clothes.

Quentin Grant’s expression remained serious as his hands roamed, touching here and prodding there. He would occasionally remark, ”This is indeed quite serious. You’re lucky you came to me. But don’t worry, I guarantee I can cure you. And it won’t cost you a thing.”

”Then please hurry and treat me, Doctor. I can’t stand the pain.”

”Alright. However, during the treatment process, you’re not allowed to look. I’m afraid you won’t be able to take it. Come, let me blindfold you.” Quentin Grant took out a long strip of cloth and tied it around her eyes.

She then lay back down.

Quentin Grant thought this was an amazing feeling, like adding an extra shot of adrenaline to the honeymoon phase.

He said, ”Don’t move now. My next actions are only intended to improve your health.”

”Okay.”

Quentin Grant slowly parted her legs and, with a smile, became one with her.

”Doctor, why... does this feel so strange?”

”Because I’m... transferring my vital energy into you.”

Nora Ainsworth laughed. ”Wow, what powerful vital energy. Such a warm force.”

”Do you like it?”

”I love it.”

The entire conversation was overheard, word for word, by the two little treasures sitting right outside their parents’ bedroom door.

”Big brother, what’s up with Mommy and Daddy?”

Dylan Grant stood up. ”Classic symptoms of them losing their minds. I’m going back to my room to work out. Gotta build muscle to prepare for a beating.”

The next morning, as soon as Quentin Grant arrived at the office, Secretary Lynch told him that Jean Grant was there, waiting in his office.

He nodded and pushed open the door. He saw Jean Grant sitting in his chair, behind his desk. She smiled faintly. ”Big brother, what made you so late for work today?”