Chapter 8

The deep, detached voice of Ethan came from the phone:

"Head over to Eclipse Court and get me a file. Also, bring the purple tie from the wardrobe."

"Understood," Lena responded respectfully, swiftly pressing the elevator floor button.

Aria was picking out car keys for her as she complained, "Mr. Walker's a cheapskate boss, if I've ever seen one. He's always asking you to go to Eclipse Court, but he doesn't even provide you with a car!"

After saying this, she looked around nervously for ears that might be listening, afraid of getting caught talking bad about the boss.

Lena took the keys. "I'll reimburse you for the car fare!"

Aria emphasized every word: "Fuel and car fares are charged differently."

Besides, could that minuscule subway fare be included in mileage reimbursement? Talk about a penny-pinching company!

Lena couldn't help but chuckle. "From my own pocket then?"

With an impatient grumble, Aria retorted, "Yours? With your monthly housing mortgage of twenty grand?"

"You... didn't have to do me like that."

But Lena thought, that's Aria for you, always bringing up a sore point.

"All right, all right, thank you for reminding me of my mortgage," Lena mumbled, with a hint of resignation.

Aria didn't care about the little details. It was just that seeing a former rich missy reduced to a poor wage worker like herself and constantly being exploited by the company made even a saint angry at the company.

The reason she kept mentioning the mortgage was more of a rant, a way for her to vent about the exploitation of capitalism and the hardships faced by the average person.

But what could she do about it? Continue to live as a resigned serf?

Sighing, Lena took the elevator to the underground car park nearby.

**Eclipse Court.**

This residence was a frequent retreat for Ethan. Lena often came over to collect things for him.

The monochromatic, minimalist decoration style made the whole house seem high-end. The appropriately placed paintings and shelves added finishing touches that helped diminish the oppressive air.

Altogether, it was simple, grand, and luxurious.

First, Lena went to the study to get some documents, then she efficiently made her way to the closet, pulling open the drawer where the ties were kept.

She took out a tie, and with a snap, something fell to the ground.

Bending over to pick it up, Lena's fingers suddenly stiffened.

Was this an unopened box of condoms?

Lena was taken aback. The memories she had been suppressing all this time suddenly rushed to the forefront of her mind.

The man's hot palms, his heavy breathing, were all tempting every nerve in Lena's body.

The condoms in her hand suddenly felt burning hot; she hastily stuffed the box back into the drawer.

Mr. Walker! One couldn't judge a man by his persona, she thought. On the surface, he seemed restrained and indifferent toward women. Why would he have that lying around his home?

Lena didn't dare to speculate further. She quickly took the documents and left the place.

By the time she arrived at the office, it was already an hour later.

Lena knocked on the office door. Upon receiving no response, she gently pushed it open.

She placed the documents on the office desk, took the tie, and walked toward the lounge.

This was her usual routine when Ethan wasn't around.

However...

When she pushed open the door of the lounge, the sight that greeted her in the bathroom made her freeze on the spot!

Luckily, her reflexes were quicker than her thoughts. With a loud slam, she exited the lounge and slammed the door shut.

Outside, she touched her hot face, her heartbeat racing wildly.

Who could have imagined that Ethan was taking a bath in broad daylight!

"Mr. Walker, I didn't mean to interrupt! I was just bringing your tie!"

Lena quickly offered an explanation, left the tie on the office desk, and then hurried out of the office.

She was so flustered that she didn't even look up and ran straight into someone's arms.

• ...•

Her already panicked state only intensified.

She instinctively lifted her head and met Marcus's gloomy gaze.

From his expression, it was clear his mood was in a terrible state.

Supporting Lena to stand properly, he scolded coldly, "Why are you always so careless, Miss Hayes?"

"I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" Seeing Lena's sincere apology, Marcus let out a helpless sigh.

As Ethan's assistant, how could she always be so reckless and careless?

What was surprising, however, was that Ethan didn't seem to ever hold it against her.

Marcus's gaze was far too piercing.

Thinking about the matter she would be assisting him with, Lena felt a surge of unease well up within her.

She tried to make herself smaller, hoping to minimize her presence.

"Go back to your work." Marcus shook his head with a hint of frustration.

"Yes, Mr. Hale."

Upon hearing his words, relief washed over her like a pardon.

She hurried to her desk, anxious to get to work.

Marcus cast her a deep, lingering look. Without saying a word, he turned and walked into Ethan's office.

The air quieted and her breathing slowed, but Lena's heart continued to race.

She tried hard to focus on her work, but her mind was filled with the images she'd seen in the rest area.

The frosted glass, fogged by steam, became transparent. She could see the defined muscles through the glass, the water flowing down his abs—a visage of pure temptation.

The potent visuals combined with the memories of that night threatened to elicit a physical reaction.

She swallowed, shaking her head and thinking to herself, "I need to be more careful in the future, or I’ll cause a big problem!"

What Marcus and Ethan discussed in the office, she didn't know. It was a whole hour before she saw Marcus emerge.

The moment he left Ethan's office, the intercom on her desk rang. Her gaze instinctively swept toward the office.

Through the glass window, her eyes met a pair of cold, brooding eyes.

Lena was shocked and quickly picked up the phone.

"Hello, Mr. Walker?"

"Come in!"

Ethan's deep, intimidating voice sounded before he hung up.

Lena's palm involuntarily tightened. She could feel her heart almost about to pound out of her chest, yet she bravely fetched the meeting documents and went toward the office.

......

As the door opened, the low pressure in the office seemed to spread out, hitting her nerves like an invisible shock wave.

"Mr. Walker, here are the documents for the upcoming meeting. Please go through them."

She respectfully placed the documents on the table and lightly pushed them toward Ethan.

Ethan's finger tapped rhythmically on the mahogany table. Lena's heart followed the rhythm. When he remained silent, the tension in her heart was almost beyond her endurance.

Just when she was about to give up, Ethan finally spoke, "What did you just see?"

"N-nothing. I didn't see anything!" Lena denied subconsciously.

At this moment, admitting she saw his David-of-Michelangelo-esque body would be as serious as what had happened that night.

She wanted to stay alive, thank you very much.

Out of nerves, she looked up into Ethan's inquiring eyes.

Whether it was her illusion or not, at this moment, the inquiry in his eyes seemed to far exceed the coldness filled with hostility.

But it was just a glance.

Lena quickly lowered her head. "I really didn't see anything."

"Really?" His tone darkened a bit more.

Lena nodded her head firmly.

Just like the day she had tricked him, she tried to keep her composure.

"Hmm." He chuckled lightly.

The scorn and charm in his laugh inadvertently made her feel tormented.

Fortunately, he didn't say anything more and aloofly retracted his gaze. "Off you go."

"Yes, sir." Lena nodded and ran faster than a rabbit.

Watching her flee in panic, the corner of Ethan's mouth rose slightly, softening his gaze.

Lena was oblivious to the burning stare on her back.

Once she returned to her desk and sat down, she was immediately called into the office by Marcus before she could even warm up her chair.

At that moment, she was unaware of the impending storm she was about to face.

"Mr. Hale, you wanted to see me."

Marcus gave her a sidelong glance. "Come take a look. Is this the footage you watched that day?"

Footage?

Lena was somewhat stupefied. Could it be the video she and Aria had destroyed together?

She couldn't have been more shocked.

She stood there, stunned as if struck by lightning, her face gradually paling inch by inch. She looked at Marcus woodenly.

"Miss Hayes?" Marcus called her again when she didn't respond.

"Yeah?" She came back to her senses with a stutter.

"I need you to come see the footage!"

The word "oh" lodged in her chest. She still couldn't move her feet.

Could she not watch it?

The only thought in her mind right now was to run away as fast as possible.