Chapter 166

"That's ridiculous! Of course Mr. Kensington smiles!"

"No, you're missing the point. It was a real smile!"

"Obviously it was real! Why would he fake it? Be careful what you say—if Mr. Kensington hears you, you're finished!"

"I'm telling you, he usually smirks, and it's terrifying. When he does that, someone's about to get destroyed. But this time? It was genuine. Like... normal. You know?" He scanned the room, desperate for backup.

The others stayed silent, but they were all thinking the same thing. Alexander Kensington smiling during a meeting? And not his usual chilling smirk? It was... unsettling.

Evelyn had been waiting for a reply from Alexander, but her phone remained stubbornly silent. She kept rereading their last exchange, her cheeks burning hotter with each word. God, I sound just like him. Why did I send something so embarrassing?

"What's wrong? Why are you shaking your head like that?" Victoria had finished her work and was now leaning over Evelyn's desk, curious.

"Nothing! Just... decompressing. Checking my phone." Evelyn quickly locked the screen. "You're done?"

"Yep." Victoria plopped into the chair beside her. "I just submitted the purchase order for Magnolia Grove. Guess what?"

"What?"

"Approved. No revisions, no questions—just approved." Victoria clapped her hands together. "I've worked here for years, and I've never had a purchase order go through this smoothly. It's a miracle!"

"Right." Evelyn already knew it wouldn't be an issue. How could there be one when the CEO himself had already signed off on it?

Victoria narrowed her eyes. "Okay, be honest with me. Is your boyfriend secretly an executive here?"

"Uh... no." Technically not wrong. Alexander wasn't just an executive—he was the head of Celestia Group. The owner.

"Really?" Victoria leaned in. "Because first, our business trip was way too luxurious. Then, everything we submit gets approved instantly. And now this? You can tell me. I won’t say a word."

"He's not an executive, Victoria. I promise I'll tell you when the time is right, okay?" Evelyn bit her lip.

If she let Victoria keep guessing, she might actually figure it out—and the thought sent a chill down Evelyn’s spine. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her friend, but the more people who knew about her and Alexander, the higher the risk of exposure. And she wasn’t ready for that.

Alexander’s position was too high-profile. If their relationship got out, the fallout would be massive. Not to mention, the Hawthorne family couldn’t find out. The only way to keep it under wraps was to keep Victoria in the dark—for now.

Victoria studied her for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. But you promised you’d introduce me when the time comes. No backing out."

"I won’t." Evelyn exhaled in relief.

"Good. Now, are you hungry? Let’s grab dinner." Victoria stretched. "You mentioned that new place you wanted to try. Wanna go?"

Evelyn grinned. "Definitely. Let’s go."