Page 45 of King of Ruin

Her apology should have satisfied him.

It didn't.

Instead, the ache in his chest only deepened.

He released a slow breath before speaking again.

"Do you know what happens when you arrive separately?"

Elise quietly shook her head.

"My security team adjusts its route."

His eyes held hers.

"My secretary has to coordinate two arrivals instead of one."

He spoke as though presenting facts during a board meeting.

"The executive schedule changes. The lobby security changes. The convoy changes."

Each sentence was delivered in the same calm, measured tone.

Then he leaned forward just enough for the distance between them to disappear once again.

"You are an executive director of Chen Group."

His deep voice dropped lower.

"I don't tolerate unnecessary inefficiency."

Elise listened quietly until he finished before looking up at him again.

"I understand." She nodded lightly. "I didn't realize it affected everyone."

There wasn't the slightest attempt to argue. Only sincere understanding.

"I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

After a brief pause, she asked softly, "But... aside from this..."

Her eyes searched his face with quiet concern.

"Have I disappointed you in any other way?"

Xavier's breathing faltered almost imperceptibly.

"Is there something regarding work that I've handled poorly? If there is..."

She offered him a small, apologetic smile.

"...please tell me. I'll correct it."

The simple sincerity in her voice struck him harder than any confrontation ever could.

She wasn't making excuses. She wasn't shifting the blame. She wasn't even upset that he'd cornered her in his office. She genuinely believed he was criticizing her work.

‘Damn it…’ His gaze remained locked on her face. ‘Why does she always look at me like that? Like she's trying so hard to understand me. Like she honestly believes she's done something wrong.’