Chase caught on to Ellinorâs hint from her eyes. He grinned and said, âMs. Mendoza, we donât just come to you when we need something. right?â
Ida chimed in. âItâs been a while since weâve seen you. We just came to have a chat.â
Both of them avoided calling her boss in unison.
Ellinor responded, âIâm kinda bored anyway. Your visit is right on time. We can play some poker to kill time.â
Chase grinned. âSounds good!â
Belinda chimed in. âCool Mr. Larios gave me a half day off. I can join you guys for some poker.â
At this moment, Marissa Blanchet emerged from the kitchen with two maids.
âEllinor, I heard you have friends over, so I made some snacks. Please invite your friends to try them.â
Ellinor, who usually respected Marissa, surprisingly ignored her goodwill this time.
Belinda stood up and said, âMarissa, thank you!â
Marissa looked at Belinda with a gentle smile, âBelinda, itâs been a while since youâve been here. I almost couldnât recognize you! Youâve become more and more beautiful!â
Belinda blushed at Marissaâs compliment and responded awkwardly.
Chase and Ida also stood up and greeted Marissa.
Marissa, though polite to Chase and Ida, whom she had never met before, had a hint of caution in her eyes.
âYou must be Ellinorâs friends, right? Please donât mind. Theo cares a lot about Ellinor. He is afraid that she might get hurt, so he checks all visitors for security. Itâs not personal.â
Chase grinned and said, âNo worries, we understand.â
Ida remained silent.
After the maids put down the snacks, Marissa sat down next to Ellinor and Baber.
When Marissa sat down, the other three also took their seats.
*Come on, please try the snacks I made and give me some feedback.â
Marissa invited them again and picked up a cookie that Ellinor liked and handed it to her. âEllinor, this is your favorite red bean-flavored cookie. I baked extra for you.â
Ellinor declined politely but coldly, âThank you, but I donât want anything sweet right now.â
Marissa paused but didnât get angry. She handed the cookie to Baber, who was next to Ellinor, âHere, kiddo, try this cookie and tell me if itâs good.â
Baber happily took the cookie and started eating.
Ellinor glanced at Baber but said nothing.
With Marissa around, the youngsters couldnât really chat and fell silent.
Actually, in the past, Marissa usually wouldnât get involved in the youngstersâ affairs. After delivering the snacks, sheâd go back to her room and let them chat freely.