My Secret Billionaire Husband Chapter 2803 - 2812: So, Are You Blaming Me?

"No worries, it was an accident. Luckily, the fire got extinguished quickly, avoiding any major issues," Edward Cooper couldn’t bear seeing a girl in tears. Spotting her eyes welling up, he chose to console her right away.

"Yes, we’re lucky nothing bad happened. Just take extra care moving forward," Kelvin Norman also struggled to witness a girl crying.

"Thank you, seniors, for being so forgiving. I’ll be more cautious from now on," Annie Lawrence brushed the tears from her eye corners, her expression brimming with remorse and self-reproach.

"The one you owe the biggest thanks to isn’t us, but Porter Rushbrook," Edward pointed out just in time. "Your teammate Porter swiftly doused the flames. Had the fire grown, things could’ve turned much graver."

Following Edward’s cue, Annie finally recalled Porter’s quick action. She hesitated, then glanced at Porter, tears still shining in her eyes: "Mr. Rushbrook, thank you so much. I’m truly sorry—I only aimed to prepare a delicious dish for you and Lucus, but I got distracted, and the oil ignited."

"It’s entirely my fault for lacking care. That way, no kitchen blaze would’ve started, sparing everyone the worry," as her words flowed, fresh tears streamed down her cheeks, and she wept mournfully.

Her sobs tugged at the hearts of nearby male staff members.

Yet Porter remained expressionless, responding flatly, "Since it was unintentional, no apology is needed. Still, if cooking isn’t your skill, you should’ve said so instead of acting like it was."

"Admitting you can’t cook carries no shame. There’s no reason to fib about it."

"Good thing this fire caused little harm. But if it endangered lives, a mere sorry wouldn’t suffice."

Porter’s calm, offhand remarks left all those around speechless in shock.

Annie’s complexion drained to an ashen shade, already pale before but ghostly now: "Mr. Rushbrook, what... what are you saying? Are you faulting me?"

Porter met her gaze coolly: "Your show of skill nearly sparked a catastrophe. Thankfully, no one was hurt, so we can move past it. Yet I urge you—if something like this recurs, don’t lie or boast to save face; just be honest."

Earlier, she had noticed Porter’s shifting demeanor toward her.

Thus, when Porter turned icy in tone, Annie grew frantic, raised her face, tears falling steadily: "Mr. Rushbrook, are... are you holding this against me?"

"I confess... I fibbed. Truth is, I can’t cook. I simply wanted to impress you and Lucus, hoping to win you over. I yearned for you both to fancy me like you do Joanna."

"Joanna’s someone I truly envy—she connects effortlessly with all. Unlike me..." Dabbing at her tears, she shot an envious glance at Joanna Lawrence, bitterness flickering in her eyes and a choke in her voice, "everyone seems to dislike me. I only tried harder to earn your favor. Never thought I’d botch it so badly."

"I’m sorry, truly sorry..."

"I never intended any harm."

Through Annie’s words, her bid for compassion and mercy shone evident.