Chapter 537 - 533: Entering the Inner Sanctum

Jasmine Sterling looked at him and blinked.

Randall Jennings looked back at Jasmine Sterling. Seeing her blink, he couldn’t help but say, "A bit sudden, wasn’t it?"

"Not at all." Jasmine Sterling smiled and said naturally, "We’re friends, after all."

She was open and honest, and truly respected Randall Jennings from the bottom of her heart. It wasn’t just because he had helped Cecilia so much, but more importantly, because he was a man of trustworthy character.

Besides, Megan Nash had just asked her to help take care of him. It wouldn’t be right to just leave him alone after his IV drip was finished.

’Being sick at home all alone, unable to cook... having to eat takeout really is a bit pitiful.’

"The thought of getting to eat your cooking again is making me a little hungry," Randall Jennings said, his eyes smiling as he looked at Jasmine Sterling.

Jasmine Sterling sat back down on the stool and pulled out her phone. "So, what do you want to eat? I can order the groceries online ahead of time."

"There are some ingredients in the fridge at home. Let’s just use those. It’d be a shame if they went bad."

Jasmine Sterling looked up in surprise. "You bought ingredients? You’ve been cooking for yourself?"

Randall Jennings just gave a wry smile. "You’ll see when you get there."

The Gold Standard was one of the most high-end luxury residences in the City of Lorcain. Its main selling point was its large single-floor apartments with exceptional views, the smallest of which was around 300 square meters.

And Randall Jennings’s home was the smallest unit in this very residence.

"Please, come in."

The door unlocked via facial recognition. Randall Jennings pushed it open and stepped aside, inviting Jasmine Sterling in first.

After stepping inside, Jasmine Sterling subconsciously scanned the living room. Her eyes were met with a sea of black, with only scattered bits of white and gray as accents.

It was simple and clear, yet not oppressive. The structure and design were clearly the work of a professional.

There was no live-in maid, yet the place was spotless.

"Do you usually clean it yourself?"

"I do," Randall Jennings replied, casually placing a pair of disposable guest slippers by Jasmine Sterling’s feet. "Wear these."

Jasmine Sterling changed her shoes, asked where the kitchen was, and then urged Randall Jennings, "You go lie down in bed. I’ll call you when the food is ready."

Only then did Randall Jennings start to feel a bit embarrassed. "Let me show you where the utensils are," he offered. "I can help you out with the prep work, too."

"The most important thing for you right now is to rest," Jasmine Sterling reminded him.

In the kitchen, the stovetop was still a mess. Randall Jennings said sheepishly, "It was my first time trying to cook for myself. I’m inexperienced, so I made a mess and haven’t had a chance to clean up."

On the kitchen island was a plate of something black and charred. Jasmine Sterling walked closer to get a look. "What did you make here?"

"I just pan-fried a steak."

Jasmine Sterling: "..."

"I don’t know why, but the outside is burnt to a crisp, and the inside is still completely raw."

’Carcinogens on the outside, salmonella on the inside.’

Jasmine Sterling walked to the refrigerator and opened it. As expected, it was filled with ingredients, all meticulously packaged. Almost every item was in its own exquisite, individual wrapping.

It was clear that although this was Randall Jennings’s first time cooking, he had very high standards for his ingredients.

A quick glance revealed eggs, beef, and various vegetables—definitely enough to make a meal.

"The seasonings might be a bit limited. I only bought some basic ones. I wouldn’t know how to use the complicated stuff anyway," Randall Jennings said, standing by the island. The natural, self-assured aura he usually carried had mostly faded, replaced by the vulnerability of a patient in need of care.

"It’s fine. This is more than enough." Jasmine Sterling nodded, taking the ingredients out of the fridge. She then instructed Randall Jennings, "Go rest. I’ll call you in a bit."

Randall Jennings looked at the mess on the stovetop. "Let me help you clean this up..."

"Go rest!" Jasmine Sterling’s tone was firm, almost a command.

Randall Jennings paused for a moment, then nodded and turned toward the bedroom.

Jasmine Sterling washed her hands and then got busy in the kitchen.

Back in the bedroom, Randall Jennings stripped, took a quick shower, changed into comfortable loungewear, and then finally lay down in bed.

The fever made his head feel groggy, and with the noticeable ache in his muscles, he felt completely miserable.

He closed his eyes, but it was only a light doze; he couldn’t truly fall asleep.

A little over an hour later, Jasmine Sterling knocked on the bedroom door. Not having fallen asleep, Randall Jennings got right up.

The door opened, and Jasmine Sterling said in surprise, "You didn’t fall asleep?"

"No, I’m not very comfortable, so I couldn’t sleep," Randall Jennings said. A faint, fragrant aroma drifted in, and he suddenly felt his stomach rumble. He smiled. "But I am hungry."

Jasmine Sterling’s eyes curved into a smile. "Then eat up. Maybe the carb coma will help you get a good night’s sleep later."

At the dining table, Jasmine Sterling had prepared Asparagus Beef Stir-fry, Scrambled Eggs with Tomato, Stir-fried Potato Slivers with Green Pepper, and Luffa with Edamame.

You couldn’t get more classic home-cooked dishes than these four. They were light, nutritionally balanced, and perfectly suited for someone who was sick.

"You can have greasy food when you’re better. I figured with a fever, you wouldn’t have much of an appetite and would probably want something light," Jasmine Sterling said as she placed a bowl of rice in front of Randall Jennings. "Have plenty of the other dishes, too."

"Aren’t you eating?"

"I’m not hungry. You eat."

"Have a little. Food always tastes better when you eat with someone," Randall Jennings said, looking at Jasmine Sterling.

Jasmine Sterling finally nodded, stood up, and got herself a small bowl of rice. "Alright, let’s eat. After you finish, take your medicine, and a good sleep should do the trick."

Randall Jennings smiled faintly and picked up his chopsticks.

’This is delicious.’

He didn’t say a word, just focused on eating. The bowl of rice was empty in no time, showing no signs of the poor appetite one would expect from being sick.

Then he got up and helped himself to another bowl of rice.

Jasmine Sterling smiled without a word. It was obvious he really enjoyed the food and was eating happily. She picked up the serving chopsticks and placed some of the dishes into his bowl.

But just then, the sound of a lock turning came from the front door, and a moment later, it swung open.

The sound from the doorway made both Jasmine Sterling and Randall Jennings freeze. Before either could react, a cultured-looking man in his fifties, wearing glasses and carrying something, walked in.

The man clearly hadn’t expected anyone to be home and was startled as well. "Oh! You’re here!"

Jasmine Sterling rose to her feet instinctively. Randall Jennings quickly made the introductions: "This is my older brother. Brother, this is my friend, Ms. Jasmine Sterling."

"Hello," Jasmine Sterling said in greeting.

A flicker of surprise crossed Matthew Jennings’s eyes. He was shocked to find a woman in his younger brother’s house.

’Jasmine Sterling has a gentle and serene temperament, and she’s quite attractive. Her only drawback might be that she looks a bit older, probably in her thirties. Still, for her to be welcomed into my brother’s home like this is a groundbreaking event.’

He quickly replied politely, "Hello, hello! I didn’t think anyone was home. What an inconvenient time for me to drop by. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?"