George was very satisfied with Lucy's soup, but he seemed even more delighted by the fact that she kept him company. He asked her about life, her future goals, her interests. Lucy shared as much as she could without giving away her connection to the Hartwell fortune. George seemed genuinely interested in her stories, and she enjoyed his lighthearted commentary on life. Though George was many decades her senior, Lucy felt that he was very much young at heart. She also knew that this was a chance for her find out more information about his ill-mannered grandson.

"So, did your grandson come by to help you out?" asked Lucy, attempting to look indifferent.

"Oh, yes, Chase was here about an hour ago. I wish you had met him. He's really an exemplary young man," said George, beaming with pride.

Exemplary was not the adjective that came to mind when she thought of Chase, mused Lucy.

"Well, maybe next time," she said instead.

"He and I are quite close," continued George. "As a little boy Chase would spend the summers with me traveling, and even now, though he is very busy, he makes time to visit me as often as he can."

"I wish my grandparents were still alive so that I could spend time with them and listen to their stories," shared Lucy. "I've truly enjoyed listening to yours, George. Life seems to have been so much simpler when you were younger. It makes me wish I had been born in a different time."

George was about to say something else, when they heard someone's footsteps approaching.

"Ah, Chase, you're back," said George, greeting his grandson with a smile.

All Lucy could focus on was the glaring green eyes boring into her.

"I just met with a new head of Stonebrook. He'll send two nurses in the morning," said Chase, finally looking at George.

"Chase, I am so glad you came back, because I wanted you to meet Lucy Hartwell," said George, gesturing over to where she was sitting. "Chef extraordinaire!"

Chase looked over at her, his face a mask of disdain. "Is Nielsen not feeling well, grandfather?" asked Chase without acknowledging Lucy.

"He's quite well. And he's still the family cook, but to be quite honest, young Lucy here can give dear old Nielsen a run for his money. So, I've sent him on a much needed vacation."

"Miss Hartwell," said Chase, finally engaging Lucy. "May I give you the tour of the grounds?"

Lucy stared at him, knowing full well that the only reason Chase wanted her away from George is to follow through with his earlier threat...mainly, throw her out.

"Actually, I was about to leave," said Lucy standing up.

Chase expression was that of a man who'd just gotten exactly what he wanted.

"But I'll be back tomorrow, maybe you can show me around then," added Lucy, meeting Chase's eyes as they widened in shock.

"Chase, be a gentleman, walk Lucy to her car," said George.

"Oh, really there's no need," protested Lucy.

"With pleasure," said Chase.

"Tomorrow bright and early?" asked George.

"Yes, and I promise to be on time," Lucy confirmed. She went to the kitchen, hearing the fast approaching heavy steps behind her.

She quickened her pace, and made it to the kitchen before hearing Chase burst in right behind her. Lucy turned around to face him.

"I told you, to get out of here, and never return," he said, looking even angrier than before.

"Actually, you didn't mention anything about never returning," corrected Lucy brazenly.

She broke eye contact with him, and started gathering up her things, stuffing her apron, and tools into her bag.

Chase approached her, and reaching for her arm, grabbed it, and spun her around. Lucy tried to struggle out of his hold, but his grip on her arm was too strong.

"Sweetheart, I don't know where you came from, but if you think you're gonna pull one over on the old man, you got another thing coming."

Lucy's breath was coming in harsh gasps. He was so close to her, looming over her, his green eyes penetrating hers. "Let go of me, now," she said through gritted teeth.

Chase released her, and distanced himself from her, placing his fists on the marble island in front of him.

"What the hell are you even talking about?" Lucy said, waving her hands in the air.

"Oh, don't play coy with me. I've had to deal with the likes of you several times over the years. You think that just because you're young and attractive, you can take advantage of vulnerable people like my grandfather."

"Did you just call me attractive?" asked Lucy, throwing Chase off completely.

"What? No. You know exactly what I am saying," he said pointing an accusatory finger at Lucy.

"Oh my God, you're so right. I am here to seduce your octogenarian grandpa so that, what? He leaves this massive house to me and writes you out of the will? Is that your disgustingly offensive assumption?"

Chase looked at her strangely. Like he didn't expect her to say it so directly.

He raked his fingers through his dark hair. "I am very protective of my family, and grandfather in particular. He's a gentle old soul. But he can also be very trusting, too trusting of people. I will do everything in my power to save him from falling victim to..."

"To what, Chase? Victim to a foodie? You know nothing about me. And it doesn't look like you even give people a chance before making horrible inferences about them."

Chase kept staring at Lucy, who came up close to him, and looked directly into his confused eyes.

"I am not here to take advantage of George. He likes my soup. Ok? That's it. Simple as that. Nothing more to it. But if I have to deal with you having a meltdown each time I am here, than I'd just rather spend my time doing something else. You decide. But you'll have to tell him."

Lucy slung the bag over her shoulder and left Chase alone in the kitchen.