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“Yeah?” Ellie smiled, taking a spoonful of the oats Ada had brought.
Ada leaned in, grinning. "What does SNS mean? Is it something romantic?" Her voice was giddy, practically bouncing with excitement. "Is it something sweet? Like a cute nickname for Mr. Stark?"
Ellie almost choked on her oats.
Romantic? Sweet?
She set her spoon down, eyes twinkling as she leaned forward, her voice just as cheerful, matching Ada’s energy.
"Ada," she said, "SNS means… Sawyer. Narcissist. Stark."
She emphasized each word, saying them slowly, savoring the brilliance of her own creation.
At the same time, Ellie watched as Ada’s sweet face slowly morphed into one of absolute horror. Her eyes widened, her skin turned pale, and for a moment, it seemed like she had stopped breathing altogether.
A second later, she let out a dramatic gasp, scrambling back with a hand over her mouth in pure horror.
"Ms. Ellie!” she cried out, “We’ve been calling Mr. Stark—Sawyer Narcissist Stark—for three years?!"
Ellie’s shoulders shook as she tried to suppress her laughter, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
"Oh, holy God!" Ada’s face flushed deep red as she struggled to breathe, practically hyperventilating. "Ms. Ellie, why didn’t you tell me sooner?! I’ve even called him SNS to his face a few times! If he ever finds out—oh lordddd—"
Ellie lost it. She threw her head back, laughing so hard she had to cover her eyes to stop the tears.
"Ms. Ellie, you’re going to get us all fired!" Ada wailed, her hands flailing. "If Mr. Stark finds out, I’ll be in big trouble!"
"Oh come on! "He’s not going to fire anyone, Ada," Ellie managed between fits of laughter. "And don’t tell me you disagree with the name. Sawyer Narcissist Stark. SNS. Isn’t it fitting?"
Ada, still reeling from shock, hesitated—but then, seeing Ellie laughing so hard, she couldn’t hold back. A chuckle slipped out, then another.
"Hush, Ms. Ellie!" She waved her hands, trying to smother her laughter, but it was useless. Soon, her eyes watered too, her whole body trembling from trying to hold it in.
Then—
"Ellie Madden!"
A voice, cold and seething, cut through the air.
Both women jumped, their laughter dying instantly.
Ellie turned her head slowly, dread pooling in her stomach. Over Ada’s shoulder stood the man of their conversation, glaring at her with narrowed eyes.
Ada went rigid, her face turning pale once again.
"Ada—" Ellie’s voice trembled as she whispered through clenched teeth, "Didn’t you say he left?"
Ada, equally horrified, whispered back, "He did. To wash his hands, Ms. Ellie. Now it seems like he’s back."
"Ada!" Ellie hissed in betrayal.
Chapter 23 A Little Joke
Sawyer’s gaze flicked between the two of them before stepping forward with slow, measured steps.
"Out," he said flatly to Ada.
Ada, scrambling, stepped in front of Ellie like a human shield.