Page 48 of King of Ruin

The executive floor was already bustling with activity. Employees hurried between departments carrying stacks of documents, while managers stood outside conference rooms discussing reports in hushed voices. The steady tapping of keyboards and ringing telephones blended into the familiar rhythm of another busy workday.

Elise walked back to her office, gathered her laptop, notebook, tablet, and several folders before carefully balancing everything in her arms. Adjusting the pile against her chest, she nudged her office door shut with her elbow and made her way back down the hallway toward the president's office.

Just then, Benjamin stepped out of the conference room carrying a tablet, with Hailey following closely behind while reading through a document.

The two of them looked up at the same time.

Benjamin's footsteps slowed almost immediately.

His eyes landed on Elise's face, and the faint flush still lingering across her cheeks caught his attention at once.

Hailey noticed it too.

She exchanged a quick glance with Benjamin before looking back at Elise, concern filling her expression.

"Miss Foster..." Benjamin called gently.

Elise stopped walking and shifted the folders in her arms before smiling politely.

"Benjamin."

Benjamin glanced toward the president's office before looking back at the files she was carrying.

"Mr. Chen called you back?"

She nodded lightly.

"He asked me to bring my work into his office."

Benjamin's eyebrows rose almost imperceptibly.

"...To work inside his office?"

"Yes."

Hailey's expression immediately turned sympathetic.

She stepped a little closer and lowered her voice as though afraid Xavier might somehow hear them through the walls.

"Mr. Chen has been in an especially bad mood since this morning."

Benjamin gave a helpless sigh and rubbed the back of his neck.

"I've worked for Mr. Chen for years, and even I'm trying not to get on his bad side today."

His eyes drifted back to Elise's flushed face before softening with pity.

"If he says anything harsh, please don't take it personally."

Hailey nodded vigorously in agreement.

"He's strict with everyone."

Then, looking at the files in Elise's arms, she sighed dramatically.

"And now he's even making you work right in front of him..."

She shivered exaggeratedly.