Chapter 426

"Come on, tell us! What's in there?"

"That's one massive piece of furniture!"

Curious colleagues swarmed around, some even pressing close to peer inside. But the wooden crate was sealed so tightly that all they could see were smooth, polished panels.

"I didn’t order this!" Evelyn shook her head, resting a hand on the box. "Did security mention anything else about the sender?"

Her coworkers exchanged glances before shrugging in unison. No one had a clue.

Tapping her fingers against the wooden frame, Evelyn's mind raced. Who could have sent this? And more importantly—how was she supposed to open it?

What if it was something dangerous?

The thought sent a chill down her spine. She yanked her hand back as if burned.

"Whoa, that’s enormous!" Bella rushed over, a half-eaten croissant in hand. "What’s inside?"

Evelyn shot her a dry look. "A bomb."

Bella shrieked and stumbled back, nearly dropping her pastry. "Seriously?!"

"Of course not." Evelyn rolled her eyes. "If it were, we wouldn’t still be standing here."

One of the nearby colleagues chuckled. "We’re all dying to know! Evelyn, if you didn’t buy it, it’s gotta be from a secret admirer. Maybe your boyfriend?"

The teasing remark made Evelyn pause. Could Alexander have sent this?

She excused herself, stepping into a quiet corner to call him. The line connected after a few rings, his smooth voice instantly calming her nerves. "Miss me already?"

"Did you send me something?" she asked.

Alexander hesitated. "A gift? What kind of gift?"

Her stomach dropped. "So… it wasn’t you?"

"Wait, someone sent you something?" His tone sharpened. "What is it? Flowers? Balloons?" The last word came out strained—understandable, given their history.

"No, nothing like that. Just… a giant wooden crate. Sealed shut."

Silence. Then, cautiously, "Don’t open it yet. Move it somewhere open first."

Evelyn snorted. "You think it’s a bomb? If it were, we’d already be in pieces. And there’s no ticking."

"Doesn’t matter. Better safe than sorry."

She sighed. "Fine. I’ll be careful."

But as she hung up, her fingers tightened around her phone.

If not Alexander… then who?