C16 I Am the Boss, and I Have the Final Say.

Helmer's actions were the epitome of elegance and largesse, yet through Edna's eyes, they felt like a series of stabs to her heart.

After settling the bill, Helmer strode out, leaving Edna trailing behind, her heart tinged with unease.

"Mr. Andrews..."

She halted mid-sentence, biting back any mention of money, knowing it would only enrage Helmer further.

"I'll take you home. Don't bother coming to work tomorrow."

He casually pressed the car key, prompting a double honk.

Frozen, Edna's mind raced. "Mr. Andrews? Are you firing me?" Despite her disbelief, a flicker of relief sparked within her.

Helmer slid into the driver's seat, his voice cutting through the air, "Wishful thinking."

Edna exhaled, rooted to the spot.

"Planning to stand there until you drop?" Helmer's car reversed to a stop in front of her, the window rolling down to reveal his icy stare.

With reluctance, Edna climbed into the passenger seat. "Mr. Andrews, Mr. Craig and Jessie make an excellent legal team. This isn't a law firm; you don't need so many lawyers."

The Andrews Group's workload was manageable for Lucy and the other three lawyers alone.

"The company is mine, and so is the payroll."

Helmer left it at that, but his implication was crystal clear to Edna: "I call the shots."

Silence fell over Edna, as she now fully grasped the adage, "The wealthy are capricious, and the handsome are troubled."

"Keeping you on is simply because I intend to make your life miserable."

Helmer's relentless words battered her senses, a constant reminder that he was the devil incarnate, and escape was futile.

The rest of the journey passed in silence.

Once home, Edna collapsed onto her bed, the darkness enveloping her as sleep quickly followed.

Dreams came and went until the morning light signaled a new day and a much-improved state of being for Edna.

Per Helmer's directive, she would take the day off, resuming her duties the following day.

After spending the morning poring over cases, Edna got a call from Burke in the afternoon.

She tidied up her papers and sat on the bed, her voice sweet as she answered, "Burke?"

A smile crept onto Edna's face as she chatted with Burke on the phone.

"Edna, Fannie told me you've been sick."

Huh?

Edna was taken aback. She couldn't recall mentioning any illness to Fannie the night before.

"I didn't tell her that!"

"Come on, your cough was so loud. You don't think Fannie's clueless, do you?"

With that, Edna had an aha moment—her throat had been terribly sore last night, though it felt much better now.

But why had Fannie, upon learning she was unwell, reached out to Burke instead of checking in on her herself?

"I'm much better now. I had an IV and took some medication yesterday."

As she spoke, Edna's thoughts briefly flickered to Helmer, though she had no clear memory of getting the IV. Luckily, she had passed out just in time.

"Really?" Burke's concern was palpable. Edna had always been too stoic about her health, especially when she was on her own in Paris, suffering in silence.

"Absolutely." She nodded, smiling foolishly even though Burke couldn't see her.

"Alright, just make sure to look after yourself and take your medicine," Burke reminded her. Edna was not exactly the poster child for self-care.

"Quit fussing."

Despite her words, Edna felt a warmth spreading through her.

"Not working today?"

"No, I took the day off."

Helmer had unceremoniously given her the day off, and Edna massaged her temples, pondering how little the Andrews Group seemed to need her.

"Oh, really?" Burke mused, then proposed, "Since you're not at work, how about I take you out to dinner?"

"And you're not working?"

Since his return to Jongvale, Burke had taken over the reins of the family enterprise.

The Francis family was a household name, a formidable force that could stand toe-to-toe with the Andrews Group if they put their minds to it.

Edna knew all too well how Helmer's days were swamped with work, and with Burke recently stepping into his role, his workload was even heavier. That's why she often hesitated to intrude on his time.

"I'm the boss, and what I say goes." In Burke's heart, a hundred companies couldn't compare to Edna. He could rebuild his career, but Edna was one of a kind.

"We're set then. Stay home; I'll come to pick you up." No sooner had Burke said it than he shut down his computer and stood to grab his coat.

"Just drive carefully on your way over."

"Got it, that's it for now." Hanging up, Burke left his CEO office in haste. He had agreed to drive slowly, but in truth, he was too eager to see Edna to delay.

Edna breathed a sigh of relief after Burke's call, her spirits lifting instantly.

She chose a fresh outfit from her wardrobe and tied her dark hair into a casual ponytail before heading out to Fannie's room. Fannie was deep in a phone conversation but ended it with a knowing smile upon seeing Edna.

"Spill it. When did you rat me out to Burke?" Edna teased, sitting on the bed and playfully reaching for Fannie's neck. Their sisterly banter was a familiar dance.

"I did it for your own good. When a woman is under the weather, she needs more than just her girlfriends," Fannie said, stressing "more than just her girlfriends," hinting at the obvious—Burke's feelings for Edna were far from platonic. If Edna wouldn't make a move, it was up to her sisters to lend a hand.

"It was just a minor cold, and I'm over it," Edna huffed. It was hardly worth the commotion.

"Why so dressed up? Got plans?" Fannie inquired, sitting up and tugging at Edna's outfit.

"Dinner with Burke. Care to join?"

"No, thanks." Fannie shook her head. Her presence would only draw attention. "What would I do at your date?"

"It's not a date, just a simple meal between friends," Edna retorted with a pout.

"Date or not, you know the truth, Burke knows, and so do I," Fannie said, tapping Edna's chest knowingly.

With a proud lift of her lips, she smiled, as though she had everything firmly in her grasp.