Edmund hadn't anticipated Larissa's strong reaction. He looked at her with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"The applications will get rejected if we submit them frequently," he said.

"How about this—let's try a different approach. You stay here for now, and I'll submit another application once the housekeeping department is back on track after the big family reunion dinner. To be honest, we need you more here than in Covenford. Departmental reforms can't be accomplished in just two weeks. It's