The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 24

Once Tara was out of sight, Zach turned to Reese, his eyes sharp and cold. “You’re going to let her have it, right?”

It sounded like a question, but his tone made it clear he wasn’t really asking.

Reese’s fingers curled in on themselves. “I bought this as a gift for someone. I’m out of time and can’t pick something else. Please, let me have it. I promise I’ll find something even better for Tara and send it to you both.”

Zach let out a low laugh, but there was nothing friendly about it. “Let you have it? Why would I?

“When you drugged Sebastian just to cozy up to him, do you know where I was?

“I was in the ER, barely holding on.

“If Tara hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have made it.

“If she wants something, no matter what, I’ll make sure she gets it.

“Reese, don’t forget how you managed to stay at the institute.”

Reese’s face lost all its color, her nails digging into her palm. “Fine. Take it.”

Zach’s lips curled in satisfaction. He nodded to the sales associate. “Well? Wrap it up for me.”

The associate snapped to attention and quickly wrapped up the vase, then followed Zach toward the elevators.

Reese watched him leave, let out a shaky breath, and turned to the associate. “Do you have anything similar? I need a gift for an elder.”

“Yes, right this way.” The associate led her to another display. “We just got this new tea set, handmade by an artist. It’s perfect for elders or friends. Take a look.”

Reese studied the tea set. The glaze was smooth, the pattern elegant. But Dominic had said his friend especially liked plum blossoms.

A flash of disappointment crossed Reese’s eyes. “Anything with plum blossoms?”

The associate shook her head. “Sorry, we only get one handcrafted plum blossom piece a month.”

Reese checked her watch. “Okay, I’ll take this one, then.”

She paid and carried the gift box out of the mall, moving quickly.

A breeze blew her hair loose, and she tucked it behind her ear, willing herself to let go of what just happened.

BlackOak Tech’s office was bright and spacious, screens everywhere showing AI models and streams of data.

After checking in, the receptionist led Reese to the director’s office.

A man in his fifties sat inside, dressed in a light gray suit and thin-rimmed glasses. It’s Alan, the head of the department.

“Reese?” Alan looked surprised. “I didn’t expect the developer of ‘Star Trail’ to be so young.”

The woman in front of him looked no older than twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Five years ago, she’d built “Star Trail”—a top-tier management system. She was a standout in AI.

Alan stood and shook her hand, giving her a warm smile. “Impressive. The next generation is really something.”

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