Obedient

Xavier continued to be both a cocky boss and a cute gentleman to Alessia at the same time.

By now, Alessia had made a lot of friends in the company, being a people person. She hadn't found out that Matteo was hospitalized.

He was diagnosed with chronic stress and mild poisoning. The stress was understandable, but poisoning? He ate the same food and drank the same water as everyone else. He never went out because he was too nervous to do anything other than paint and think about how he'd survive the competition.

By the next morning, he still hadn't regained consciousness.

There were only five people in the fifth round, and two would be let go, leaving only three for the sixth round.

Time went by, and Alessia felt it was suspicious that they hadn't heard from him since the previous day. He had always called home after each round.