Chapter 278

"Hey, you're here," the shop owner greeted Evelyn warmly.

Evelyn nodded and pulled out the design she had prepared earlier but didn't hand it over. "Where's the boy?"

"Oh, him?" The owner chuckled.

"He hasn't shown up for the past two days. No idea what's going on—he won't even answer his phone. If he doesn't come in tomorrow, I'm firing him. Kids these days are so unreliable."

Two days missing? Evelyn frowned before asking, "I thought he'd been working here for a while?"

The owner shook his head. "Who told you that? He's only been here a couple of months. I only kept him because he had decent carving skills. With me being busy lately and no one to watch the shop, I let him stay. But look at him now—vanished without a word!"

As he spoke, he suddenly brightened. "Oh, don't worry. We won't mess up your piece. Even if he's gone, I'll find you a proper craftsman to do it right!"

"Do you have his number?" Evelyn wasn't interested in replacements.

"Yeah, but he won't pick up." The owner hesitated before scribbling a number on a scrap of paper. "Here."

Evelyn glanced at it and tucked it into her pocket. She had come to commission this piece for her father’s upcoming birthday.

Even though she wasn’t returning home, she wanted to send a gift. But more importantly, she needed to track down that boy—his knowledge of rare wood was crucial for her research.

She had barely stepped out of the shop when her phone buzzed. Victoria’s name flashed on the screen.

"Where are you?"

"Just browsing," Evelyn replied.

"Get back to the office. Now."

Evelyn blinked. "Right now?"

"Yes, right now. Stop dawdling and grab a cab!" Before hanging up, Victoria added hastily, "It's good news!"

The excitement in her voice was unmistakable, but what could possibly be good? With nothing else to do, Evelyn hailed a cab and headed straight to DR Holdings.

The moment the elevator doors opened on her floor, Victoria was already pacing by the entrance, clearly waiting for her.

"What's going on?" Evelyn asked, bewildered. "Did the company finally decide to give out bonuses?"

"Please. If it were just money, I wouldn’t have dragged you here. You’re way too talented to be this clueless." Victoria grabbed her arm and pulled her forward. "Listen—there’s a new project. And they want you."

"What kind of project is this urgent?"

Before Victoria could answer, they were already at the CEO’s office.

"Ms. Sterling," the secretary greeted them outside, looking unusually serious. Whatever this was, it wasn’t small.

Evelyn exchanged a glance with Victoria, who simply waved the secretary off and marched inside without another word.

Evelyn had no idea what to expect.

Gregory Whitmore, the CEO, was already waiting behind his desk, documents spread out before him. He looked up as they entered, smiling.

"There you are."