Chapter 38 Chapter 38 Team dinner tonight ? Joycelyn asked casually .
Aurelia had just returned with a cup of water .
Setting it down on her desk , she replied .
It might be postponed .
The company we were working with on the Linda project has come under investigation , so the deal is off .
Well need to find a new partner , and well be working overtime today .
What ? Selene , who had been teasing Joycelyn , stopped in her tracks when she heard the news .
Her playful grin disappeared , and she looked like shed just been struck by a thunderbolt , Joycelyn let out a quiet sigh of relief .
Still , she was surprised and a bit relieved to hear that the deal had fallen through .
It was a good thing they hadnt ended up working with a shady company like Tommys .
Joycelyn asked , So , does this mean everythings off and we have to renegotiate from scratch ? Yes .
Aurelia nodded .
Well , I still have the company information we gathered last time .
Itll probably come in handy again .
Hopefully , we can find a better partner this time , Joycelyn said , quickly pulling out the files she had gathered .
Great .
Well have a meeting in half an hour .
This project will be handled by our team , Aurelia said .
Got it .
Joycelyn handed over the physical files and also shared the digital ones in the teams chat .
Alright , lets get to work .
Once we nail this , we can think about that dinner .
Selene sighed , adopting the typical hardworking employee attitude .
By the way , Joycelyn , dont forget to bring your boyfriend to the dinner .
Lets see if hes a good match , Selene said , her curiosity about Joycelyns boyfriend now clearly outpacing her interest in the work at hand .
Joycelyn , a bit embarrassed , quickly changed the subject .
Lets focus on work for now .
With that , Joycelyn threw herself into the tasks attending the meeting , taking minutes , and revising the project proposal .
By the time she finished , the morning had flown by .
At lunch , she joined Aurelia and Selene in the cafeteria .
Joycelyn ordered a soup for herself .
After lunch , during the break , Joycelyn went to find William to check on how Rocky , the little puppy , was doing with its training .
William sent her two short videos of the dog in training .
After watching them , Joycelyn finally felt her nerves settle .
Her little puppy hadnt been abandoned , and that was a relief .
Joycelyn , can you do me a favor ? Aurelia suddenly stood up and called out to Joycelyn , who was still working .
Sure , whats up ? Joycelyn looked up from her phone .
HR needs me to handle some paperwork , but Mr.
Grant wants a quick report .
Can you go in my place ? Aurelia asked .
looking slightly frazzled .
A report ? Wouldnt it be a bit awkward for me to go ? Joycelyn glanced at Aurelia , who seemed genuinely desperate .
Joycelyn didnt want to let her down .
17:08 Ke , 11 Feb # Chapter 38 But then again , going to Ellisons office during lunch .
After everything that happened this morning with the puppy tearing up the place , Joycelyn was feeling a little anxious .
She wasnt sure if he was still upset .
I already spoke to Mr.
Grant .
He said its fine .
He trusts your ability , and if anything goes wrong .
Ill take the blame , Aurelia said with a wink .
Joycelyn couldnt resist Aurelias pleading look .
Alright , Ill go She took a deep breath to calm herself , preparing mentally for the task ahead .
She took the paperwork Aurelia handed her and walked briskly to the elevator .
When she arrived on the top floor , the atmosphere was quiet .
The whole floor was dedicated to Ellisons office and his assistants , with only private lounges and recreational areas around .
It was Joycelyns first time visiting the CEOs office , and she felt a little nervous .
The door was slightly ajar , so she walked up and knocked softly .
Come in , Ellisons deep voice called from inside .
Mr.
Grant , Im here to give my work report , Joycelyn said , entering the office with the files in hand , her gaze toward Ellison behind the large desk .
moving The sound of paper rustling under his long , defined fingers filled the quiet room , creating an oddly calming atmosphere .
The light pouring through the floor to ceiling windows bathed his sharply chiseled features and tall , well tailored frame in a soft glow .
They said a man looked his most attractive when he was focused on his work .
At that moment , Joycelyn saw a different side to Ellisons charm .
His tall , elegant figure radiated an almost royal aura , and just sitting there , he gave off the impression of someone who was always in control .
His cold , imposing presence was undeniable and impossible to ignore .
Close the door .
Ellisons deep voice broke the silence , without him even looking up .
Joycelyn hesitated , her face slightly puzzled .
Why do I need to close the door for the report ? If you dont want to , thats fine too , he replied , finally glancing up at her .
His sharp gaze briefly met hers before he set his pen down , as if he was done with whatever he was working on .
Joycelyn turned to glance at the quiet hallway outside .
It was the top floor , mostly empty , but just to be safe , she decided to close the door .
She slowly shut it behind her , and suddenly the atmosphere shifted .
What had been calm and confident moments ago now felt a little more tense .
Opening the files , she shifted into work mode .
Mr.
Grant , regarding … Joycelyn began , but before she could finish , Ellison interrupted her .
Have you eaten yet ? Ellison stood up from his chair , casually unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt .
His voice was deep and steady , filled with the mature masculinity that only someone in his position could pull off In such a formal , commanding environment , he exuded an unmistakable aura of someone who had always been at the top , with a presence that could silence a room without a single word .
Ive already eaten , Joycelyn replied honestly , avoiding his gaze and pretending to focus on the documents in her hands .
2/3 17:08 Ke , 11 Feb # Chapter 38 Feb.
Come have something with me , Ellison said , walking over to the small dining area by the windows .

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Joycelyn froze in place, reluctant to move .
Arent we supposed to be having a work report ?? 52 % Ellison glanced at her , and his eyes softened as he took in the sight of her porcelain face , her usual composure giving way to a slight , almost cute , innocence .
He smiled just a little , his lips curving up .
Alright , next time Ill just tell you to come have lunch with me , he said with a knowing look .
Joycelyn immediately realized what was going on .
The report was just an excuse to get her to sit down with him for a meal .
But Ive already eaten , Joycelyn protested , trying to sidestep the awkwardness .
And Im just a small employee .
If anyone finds out Im having lunch with the CEO during my break , theyll start talking Ellison waved off her concerns .
Dont worry about it .
When you leave , just put a couple drops of eye drops in .
Next time .
Ill make sure its only you who comes to report Joycelyn was speechless , thinking .
Are you being serious ? Or just messing with me ? Come over and have some soup .
It just arrived from the restaurant , he said , his tone final .
I had soup carlier today , Joycelyn said , but she walked over to the table anyway .
The table wasnt large , but it was set with five dishes and a bowl of soup .
She thought .
This is the CEOs lunch ? I havent expected it to be so extravagant .
Finish it before you leave , Ellison said , his voice firm , almost like an order .
Joycelyn reluctantly put the files down and sat beside him .
Thats a huge bowl .
You should have some too .
I dont drink this kind of soup meant for women , he replied , his tone flat and dismissive .
Joycelyn sighed and started sipping the soup .
She was already full from lunch , and this large bowl of soup felt like it might just stretch her stomach to its limit .
Ellison , noticing her reluctance , added , If you dont drink it , then youll have to run with me every morning .
Joycelyn frowned slightly .
Why ? Your stamina is too poor , and you cry too much , he said , his gaze locking with hers , His dark eyes were deep , intense , almost like they were holding something back .
His face was calm , but there was an undeniable energy beneath the surface , like the quiet before a storm .
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