Chapter 7 Tara didn't meet Soren's gaze from across the table. "Yes, Mr. Swain," she replied to Lance promptly before turning to place the items on the serving cart. Her exhaustion seemed to lift, replaced by a newfound energy. The other three diners paid little attention to the presence of a housekeeper. Except for Soren, the remaining two didn't even glance up. Leah and Hailey suppressed their amusement, trying not to appear too eager in front of the men. They were equally hungry.

As Tara prepared to leave, feeling relieved, Stella intervened. "Tara, go ahead and eat. I'll handle things here." Stella's kind words and warm smile caught Leah and Hailey off guard, freezing them in place. Uncertain whether to stay or go, they hesitated. Stella had spoken deliberately, fully aware that Tara would never allow her to take the spotlight alone in front of the men. She expected Tara to insist on staying. With confidence, Stella watched Tara, waiting for her reaction.

However, Tara didn't respond. Her role demanded she captivate all four men at the table, never considering "abandoning" them. "Okay," Tara replied before leaving the dining room without a second thought. Stella watched her depart, bewildered. A flicker of surprise crossed Soren's face as Tara hurried away, as if afraid they might call her back if she slowed down. Returning his gaze to Stella, Soren noticed more than just shock; her composure was beginning to crack.

He couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh, finding the housekeepers' power struggles unexpectedly entertaining. Lance glanced at him questioningly. "What's amusing you?" Soren simply replied, "Nothing. I observed an interesting detail." Hailey and Leah followed Tara out, leaving Stella standing alone, her frustration barely concealed. Tara's unexpected departure had unsettled her, as she always envied Stella's interactions with the men. Lance gestured toward Stella, "You can go eat too.

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We don't need anything at the moment." Despite her clouded expression, Stella managed a reluctant nod. In the staff dining area, Tara reheated her dinner while Hailey and Leah, who had trailed behind, recognized that Tara's departure had granted them a break. They refrained from making their usual cutting remarks. Tara focused on her meal, unbothered by Stella's presence. Stella, however, attempted to provoke her by suggesting potential consequences of her actions, attempting to rattle her.

Tara, unfazed, prioritized her meal over Stella's attempts to guilt-trip her. Stella's confidence wavered as Tara dismissed her provocations. Refusing to engage, Tara finished her meal, washed her plate, and headed to the kitchen without acknowledging Stella. Hailey and Leah observed the tension between Tara and Stella, opting not to intervene to avoid getting caught in the conflict. Tara indulged in a container of fruit after dinner, appreciating the excellent food.

As she finished, the male leads remained in the dining area, leisurely sipping their drinks. Tara and Hailey returned from the staff dining area, waiting for the men to conclude their conversation before Tara could end her shift. Noticing Tara half-asleep, Lance was surprised at her ability to doze off in the noisy atmosphere. Advising everyone to rest early for work the next day, he left, leaving Soren behind.

Soren, initially planning to stay longer, abruptly changed his mind upon seeing the others leaving. As he stood up, Tara inadvertently collided with Shawn due to the sudden movement, causing a minor impact. Shawn, assuming the bump was intentional, reconsidered upon seeing Tara's reaction. He left without acknowledging her, leaving Tara relieved. She reflected that the situation might have been worse had she bumped into Jonah instead.

Unperturbed, Tara knew she couldn't have anticipated Soren's sudden movement. She hadn't even had a chance to react.