Page 37 of King of Ruin

"I wish I knew."

He sighed before carefully placing the stack of folders into her hands.

"These are the files he asked for this morning."

His expression turned almost pleading.

"Miss Foster... could you please take them into his office?"

Elise looked at him in confusion.

"Me?"

Benjamin nodded so quickly it was almost frantic.

"Please. Everyone knows Mr. Chen listens to you more than anyone else. If anyone can get him to calm down enough to actually read these documents, it's you."

Elise looked down at the stack of files Benjamin had placed in her arms before lifting her eyes back to him, clearly puzzled.

"I don't think I have that kind of influence over Xavier."

Her expression remained as sincere as ever, without the slightest hint of false modesty. She genuinely couldn't understand why Benjamin seemed convinced she could calm Xavier down.

Benjamin simply looked at her for a few seconds before closing his eyes briefly and letting out a long, weary sigh. One handcame up to rub the bridge of his nose while the other rested on his hip.

‘Miss Foster... if only you knew.’

If only she knew that everyone on the executive floor had figured it out years ago.

Whenever she was around, Xavier's temper, though never exactly pleasant, became manageable enough that meetings could actually end without someone walking out on the verge of tears.

Whenever she wasn't...

The entire executive floor lived in fear.

Benjamin lowered his hand and glanced instinctively toward the tightly shut office doors, as if expecting Xavier to storm back out at any moment.

"Miss Foster," he said, turning back to her, "I know you don't believe me, but please."

Elise frowned slightly, hugging the files a little closer against her chest.

"I think something must have happened at work," she said thoughtfully. "Maybe one of the overseas oil projects ran into trouble, or an important negotiation didn't go as planned." She shook her head gently, her voice calm and matter-of-fact. "That's probably why Xavier is upset. I don't think my being there would make any difference."

"It will."

Benjamin answered so quickly that he almost cut her off.

"It really will."

He took an unconscious step closer, desperation creeping into his usually composed voice.

Elise looked at him with genuine confusion.

"Benjamin..."

Benjamin glanced toward the president's office again before looking back at her. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he clasped his hands together, completely abandoning the professional composure he was known for.

"I'm begging you, Miss Foster."