Chapter 396

"Alright,"

Evelyn nodded and followed Gregory to his office. He shut the door firmly behind them, casting a quick glance through the glass panel before adjusting the blinds. The space instantly took on a clandestine atmosphere, though he deliberately left enough visibility to avoid suspicion.

"Ms. Carter."

Evelyn blinked in surprise.

The sudden formality caught her off guard.

"I wasn't aware of your... connection with Alexander Kensington earlier. My apologies if I've said or done anything inappropriate," Gregory admitted, rubbing his neck with visible discomfort.

Understanding dawned on Evelyn.

While Gregory knew she'd been assigned by corporate, her personal ties to Alexander remained undisclosed until now.

After the kidnapping ordeal, secrecy seemed pointless anyway.

Yet he clearly didn't know the exact nature of their relationship - only that something significant existed between them.

"Mr. Whitmore, Mr. Kensington and I..." Her voice trailed off meaningfully.

"No need for explanations," Gregory raised his hands. "Whatever it is, I won't pry. Your privacy is safe with me. Since discretion is necessary at work, I'll have to be more subtle about watching out for you."

"That would be ideal!"

Evelyn nodded emphatically. "Please treat me like any other employee. No special treatment. I'm here to work hard and contribute to Phoenix Labs' growth just like everyone else."

Gregory studied her face, finding only earnest determination. His shoulders relaxed slightly. "That's reassuring. Though I must ask - with your connections, why choose our small subsidiary over Celestia Group itself?"

Phoenix Labs, while backed by the corporate giant, remained modest in scale and influence.

What could possibly attract someone with her advantages?

"Mr. Whitmore, you know my circumstances when I first arrived. Given my qualifications then, I was grateful for any opportunity. Phoenix Labs may be small, but I see its potential. The energy here is electric - I truly believe we're building something extraordinary."

Her words visibly pleased him.

"The growth possibilities for Phoenix Labs are practically boundless in my estimation!"

"Absolutely!"

She affirmed with conviction.

"Well then! That settles it."

Gregory exhaled deeply, tension leaving his frame. Ever since Alexander's unexpected inquiry about Evelyn, he'd been walking on eggshells. Discovering an ordinary employee was actually the boss's special interest had thrown him completely.

Balancing professional discretion with unspoken obligations had become a daily tightrope walk.

Too much workload? Unacceptable. Too little? Equally problematic.

Maintaining normalcy while knowing the truth proved exhausting.

This candid conversation lifted a weight off his shoulders.

"Very well, you may go. You've been pushing hard lately - take the afternoon off if you need. Consider it approved," he offered generously.

"No thank you," Evelyn smiled, already turning toward the door. "I'd rather get back to work now that we've cleared the air."