Page 35 of King of Ruin

The guard cleared his throat before continuing. "He simply said, 'Since she's so busy, she can come in another car,' then got into the vehicle. Secretary Carter followed him inside, and they left immediately."

For a brief moment, Elise didn't say anything. She lowered her eyes, her lashes hiding the disappointment that quietly settled over her expression.

"I see."

Her voice remained gentle, but noticeably quieter than before.

The guard immediately regretted repeating Xavier's words so honestly. Seeing the sadness she tried so hard to hide made him feel uncomfortable.

He quickly waved both hands.

"Miss Foster, please don't misunderstand. I'm sure Mr. Chen had something urgent to deal with. Secretary Carter looked very anxious, and they were discussing work the entire time they walked to the car. Perhaps there was an urgent matter at the company, which is why he left in such a hurry without waiting."

Elise gave a faint smile.

It was polite. Soft. But it never reached her eyes.

"It's alright."

She looked toward the now-empty driveway once more before quietly lowering her gaze.

"I understand."

She knew Xavier too well.

This wasn't because he was in a hurry.

Even on days when there was nothing pressing waiting for him at the office, he had never been someone who waited for her. Whether they were leaving for work, attending business banquets, or returning home together, Xavier always walked ahead without looking back, as though it made no difference whether she was by his side or arrived several minutes later.

The guard let out a quiet sigh.

Knowing there was nothing more he could say to comfort her, he turned toward the chauffeurs waiting nearby.

"You."

One of the drivers immediately jogged over.

"Bring another car around for Miss Foster."

"Right away."

The chauffeur immediately nodded and hurried off. Less than a minute later, a black sedan rolled smoothly to a stop before the front steps.

The driver quickly stepped out, walked around to the back, and opened the rear door with both hands.

"Miss Foster."

Elise gave him a polite nod. "Thank you."

Holding her purse close against her side, she bent slightly and slipped into the back seat. As the car pulled away from the Chen Manor, she turned her head toward the window. Her eyes lingered on the empty driveway for a few quiet moments before the massive gates slowly disappeared from view.

The drive into Manhattan was smooth despite the morning rush. Nearly forty minutes later, the black sedan turned onto one of the busiest streets in the financial district before slowing to a stop in front of the headquarters of Chen Group.

Elise stepped out of the car and looked up.

The skyscraper towered above the surrounding buildings, its sleek glass exterior reflecting the morning sun like polished steel. The company name,CHEN GROUP, was displayed in enormous silver letters across the front of the building, visible from half a block away. It stood proudly among Manhattan's skyline, surrounded by other corporate towers belonging to international banks, investment firms, and Fortune 500 companies. Luxury cars lined the curb while executives in tailored suits hurried along the sidewalks with briefcases and coffee cups in hand. Yellow taxis rolled past almost nonstop, their horns blending with the distant rumble of buses and the constant murmur of the city that never seemed to sleep.

As one of the world's largest energy corporations, Chen Group controlled oil fields, refineries, and energy projects across several continents. Thousands of employees worked inside the fifty-story headquarters every day, making it one of the most influential companies in New York's business district.