Chapter 243

Roman Young crouched down in a fluster, documents scattering across the floor.

"Watch the milk tea!" Evelyn Sinclair swiftly steadied the wobbling cup. "Give it to me first."

Roman's face flushed red. "I'm so sorry, Evelyn. That was careless of me."

She shook her head, her gaze lingering thoughtfully on the printer.

As she stepped out of the office, dull thuds echoed from the fire exit.

"Who said you could touch my mother's things?" Xavier Stapleton's voice cut like glass.

Evelyn shoved the door open. "Xavier, stop!"

His kick landed hard on Roman's hand—still cradling the milk tea.

The drink splattered across the tiles.

"Are you insane?" Evelyn's voice turned glacial. "Assaulting a colleague is illegal. Should I call the police?"

Xavier froze.

The usually reticent Evelyn had never confronted him like this.

"H-he wasn't doing his job properly," he stammered. "I just lost my temper..."

Since being turned away from every restaurant last night, he'd grown wary of her.

That shadowy figure in the photo—even Hugo Lee couldn't identify him.

"Get back to work!" Xavier barked at Roman.

Roman slowly rose, eyes fixed on the spilled tea.

"Go," Evelyn said softly. "Janitorial will handle this."

Lately, her heart softened too easily.

"Evelyn," Xavier caught up to her, "tonight's team building—"

"I'm working late." She didn't break stride. "The Winston Strauss interview can't wait."

"Everyone's exhausted..."

"I'll do it alone." Her heels clicked steadily. "It shouldn't inconvenience you much longer."

HR had shown her a stack of resumes today.

Xavier's knuckles whitened as he watched her leave.

The office emptied, leaving Evelyn alone.

Xavier had uncharacteristically brought Roman to the gathering.

Three rounds in, Zachary Laurier leaned forward. "Know who sabotaged the printer?"

Roman looked up blankly.

"Evelyn." Zachary dropped his voice. "She cut the cord when she heard you needed printouts."

"No way?" Wendy West feigned shock.

"Saw it myself." Zachary thumped the table for emphasis.