Chapter 235

The office air turned glacial.

Xavier Stapleton slunk back to his cubicle like a whipped dog.

Within minutes, Evelyn's computer screen flickered with relentless notifications.

[Evelyn, I know hitting someone was wrong. But I only did it because I care about you. That Roman kid was taunting me with his hard drive—he had it coming!]

[You don't know how sneaky he is. He's screwed over multiple coworkers before. I was defending your honor!]

[I never lose my temper like this. You're the only one who makes me act this way...]

Evelyn didn't even blink.

Thirty minutes later, the digital bombardment resumed.

[I'm actually really easygoing. Just spoiled rotten growing up. My family's loaded—monthly allowance starts at six figures.]

[All my friends say I'm the most chivalrous guy they know. Ask anyone in the office if you don't believe me...]

Xavier cracked his door open a sliver.

Evelyn remained engrossed in her work, though the chat notifications clearly showed "Read."

Her indifference was absolute.

The spoiled heir clenched his fists. As the only son of the Stapleton fortune, he'd never met a woman who resisted his charms.

Looks didn't matter when you had wealth and connections. Even A-list actresses fawned over him—yet this nobody from a disgraced family dared play hard to get.

"Damn it!" He ground his teeth. "Think you're too good for me?"

Evelyn had every reason to be selective.

Her delicate features put celebrities to shame, her poise eclipsing every socialite he'd known.

The icier she became, the more Xavier obsessed.

He returned to his keyboard, groveling harder.

[I swear I'll never lay hands on anyone again.]

[Look, I even cut my finger. First injury for a woman!]

[We're having department drinks tonight at Ocean Palace. Give me a chance to apologize?]

Without waiting for reply, Xavier blasted the group chat:

[TONIGHT'S TEAM BUILDING AT OCEAN PALACE! WELCOME OUR NEW COLLEAGUES!]

The office erupted.

"No way! Xavier's treating us to Ocean Palace?"

"That's $200 per person minimum!"

"Boss is the GOAT! Other departments will die of envy!"

Xavier strutted out, basking in the adulation.

"Order whatever you want! When you roll with Xavier Stapleton, only the best!"

"I'm not going."

Two voices spoke simultaneously.

Evelyn declined without looking up. Roman shook his head silently.

Xavier's face darkened.

Roman's absence meant nothing—but Evelyn's...

"You have to come!" Xavier's voice cracked with desperation.

"Prior engagement." Evelyn's tone remained frosty. "Rain check."

The office fell deathly quiet.

Wendy West stomped her foot in frustration.

Everyone knew this lavish dinner hinged on Evelyn's attendance.

No Evelyn meant no extravagant feast.