Chapter 231

The documents scattered across the floor made Evelyn Sinclair instinctively take half a step back.

A lanky young man crouched down in a fluster, clumsily gathering the papers. His messy hair framed dull eyes behind black-framed glasses, his lips cracked as if he hadn't drunk water for days.

Evelyn's gaze shifted away from him, only to meet another pair of intense eyes.

The man had a face that left a striking impression—not handsome, but so memorably unattractive. Evelyn quickly lowered her lashes, careful not to betray even a flicker of reaction.

"Who's this?" The unattractive man strode forward, his dress shoes crushing the freshly organized documents without hesitation.

The receptionist hurried to explain, "This is Evelyn Sinclair, transferred from headquarters—"

"I know you!" His voice boomed, silencing the entire floor. "Those fools at headquarters must be blind. You're a thousand times more beautiful than the rumors!"

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly.

She was all too familiar with this kind of scene. Since childhood, the awestruck stares of strangers had followed her everywhere. But now, she sensed something more complex in their gazes—curiosity, speculation, even a hint of subtle hostility.

"I'm Xavier Stapleton, department manager." The man blocked the receptionist, eagerly closing the distance. "How about joining my team? We're short-staffed..."

Evelyn retreated subtly. "I should report to HR first."

The rest of the process went surprisingly smoothly. Xavier clung to her like an unwelcome shadow, yet his presence inexplicably tripled the efficiency of every department.

"Wait for my good news!" He thumped his chest confidently before turning and knocking over a colleague's coffee cup.

Alone in the hallway, Evelyn's phone buzzed.

"Evelyn, I overslept!" Iris Cooper's voice was thick with panic. "Are you okay over there?"

"Still waiting for my assignment," she replied softly.

"If anyone dares to bully you, tell me immediately! Headquarters won't stand for it!"

The call ended just as Xavier reappeared, beaming. "We're sharing a team!"

Evelyn frowned. "Sharing?"

"Just a temporary arrangement." He rubbed his hands together. "Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone."

In the farthest corner of the office, the black-framed glasses guy hunched over his keyboard. Xavier scoffed. "Country bumpkin. He'll be gone after probation."

As the workday ended, Evelyn's phone buzzed incessantly. A flood of dinner invitations poured in.

She left every message on read.

Her thumb hovered over a name in her contacts, hesitating. Should she make this call? Should she even entertain the thought?

Outside the window, dusk deepened—mirroring the uncertainty in her heart.