August's POV

"Next time, we can hire a chef to make dinner. I wasn't very happy with my cooking. I thought it tasted a little strange," Isabelle commented as she tidied up the kitchen.

"It was delicious, as always," I replied honestly. "They loved it, and I'm almost certain we can have them over again."

Earning back respect within the company required more than hard work. It meant rebuilding old connections, friendships that had been pushed aside by the turmoil surrounding my departure and