Chapter 122: The tireless Bree

Bree stepped into Tom’s room without slowing down.

She did not look around. She didn’t have interest other sections of the room, no curiosity about how he lived. Her attention went straight to the wardrobe. She pulled it open, ran her eyes across what was inside, and exhaled through her mouth.

The silence that followed was judgment enough.

Tom had suits, yes, but not many. A very thin line of options. Currently, the wardrobe wasn’t that of a man expected to move through brand meetings, public appearances, and rising attention.

Bree shook her head and said; "No. This will not carry you far."

Tom looked at her from near the door. "That bad?"

"It’s limited. We’re going to need to go shopping." She moved a few hangers aside, already sorting what could be used from what should be replaced.

"This morning?"

"No. That will be after the contract signing." Bree glanced back at him as she replied, then returned to the rail. I’ll work overtime if I have to."

She drew out the suit the System had rewarded him with, checked the condition of the fabric, and laid it carefully across the bed. "We can manage this one for the morning. It still looks proper."

Then she checked the shoes.

Her mouth pulled down slightly. "It’s a good thing you employed me when you did."

Tom gave a short breath of laughter. "You’re very sure of yourself."

"I’m sure of the standard required, sir." Bree replied, straightening her shoulders.

"Today, we’re doing a total makeover for your wardrobe. You can’t keep showing up underdressed for the level you’re walking into."

Tom remained near the door, half dazed by the speed at which she had taken ownership of the problem which was supposed to his. Bree looked past his shoulder toward the bathroom and frowned.

"You haven’t gone in yet..." she raised her brows.

"I was watching you condemn my clothes. Are you done?"

"That’s nothing to watch. You can go and bathe now." Her eyes flicked over him again. "Or do you need help in there, sir?"

Tom scoffed, and the edge of a challenge rose before he could stop it. Fine. If she was going to talk like that, he could meet her there.

"Yes. Actually, I do." he said.

Bree’s eyes widened slightly thenshe shook her head immediately. "Sorry, sir but my job description doesn’t include that."

Tom let out a short breath. "That’s what I thought."

"Ah, okay..." She eased back a step, already done with the exchange. "I’ll wait outside while you get dressed. She said and pulled up her cheeks in a small smile.

"That’s what you should do." Tom replied.

"Don’t waste time in there, sir." Bree still had to add that before leaving the room.

Tom scoffed as he stared at her retreating steps. He didn’t know whether to be angry at the way she was being unapologetically herself because one of part actually find that somewhat entertaining.

The other part which wasn’t sure how to feel made him look toward the empty air where the System panel usually appeared;

"Of course this is the kind of person you’d pick for me."

[Exactly the kind Host needs,] the System replied.

Tom scoffed. "She’s going to bulldoze half my day."

[That is preferable to Host wasting it.]

He shook his head and headed into the bathroom.

The water had only just begun to run when another panel opened across his vision.

```

[DAILY TASK]

Restore the drop in Stella Marchetti’s Relationship Stability.

Reward:

• +20 Charm

• Mysterious Key

```

Tom’s hands stilled against the tile for a moment.

Stella...

He had known the repair could not wait forever, but seeing it formalized as a daily task made the pressure real. And the reward... a mysterious key. He did not know what it opened.

"What key?" he couldn’t stop his curiosity.

[Host will understand when it is time.]

Tom sighed simply, with the System, that almost did not matter. Its surprises had started to become the part he looked forward to. He let the spray run down his shoulders as he began to turn Stella over in his mind. He knew what she would be doing today, she had a contract to sign. That gave him a window but not a soft one. He didn’t know she would be signing it or when she would be back home.

Another notice cut in while he bathed.

[Host may make use of the Personal Assistant in any way possible within professional bounds. She has no knowledge of the System, but her loyalty is fixed.]

Tom absorbed that with a slow nod, his forehead resting briefly against the wet tile. Bree was blunt, shamelessly forward, and apparently tireless. If the System said she could be used well, then the only real question was how.

By the time he finished bathing, an idea had already begun taking shape.

He dried off, dressed in the suit Bree had chosen, fixed his cuffs, and checked himself briefly in the mirror before stepping out.

Bree was in the hallway, pacing in a tight, controlled line and looking at his door with open urgency. The moment she saw him, she checked the time, then looked him over properly from collar to shoes.

She nodded then said in all seriousness; "You look charming, sir."

Tom chuckled. "I’ll take that as approval."

"It is." Bree held out her hand. "Car keys."

He raised a brow. "Why?"

"To drive you, of course."

"I can drive myself."

"You can," Bree began explaining, her palm still open. "But you shouldn’t. That is part of the job description, sir. You focus on the meeting. I handle the movement."

Tom studied her for a second, half wondering how much the System was paying her for this level of commitment to every line of that description. Then he shrugged and placed the keys in her palm.

"Alright, Let’s see how you handle it." he said.

"I handle it properly. Always." Bree replied, already turning toward the stairs.

They moved through the house and out to the car together, side by side. Stephen DeMarco was already waiting by the vehicle, composed as ever, with his phone in hand as he checked it for whatever.

After Bree unlocked the car, He opened the front passenger door and got in without needing instruction. Bree opened the back for Tom, waited until he was seated, then rounded the car and took the driver’s seat herself.

The engine came alive under her hands.

Then they headed toward L×L Boxers company.