Chapter 575

"Eat something first." Alexander Hamilton slid a thermal container toward her.

Evelyn Carter lifted the lid. The aroma of chicken soup filled the air. Shredded chicken noodles glistened under the light, garnished with finely chopped scallions.

"Get to the point first." She closed the lid.

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "You can eat while listening."

After a brief hesitation, Evelyn took out the bowl and chopsticks. The first sip of warm broth instantly eased her tense nerves.

The desk was cluttered with documents. Alexander casually organized them. "The bidding is our top priority."

"Hamilton Group is barely surviving on old clients." Evelyn stirred the noodles. "Though Manager Macmillan deliberately made things difficult today, he wasn't wrong. Our chances are slim."

"I faced the same situation when I first took over."

Evelyn paused her chopsticks. "You did it on purpose?"

"The management team had their own agendas. Keeping them in check was the best strategy." His tone remained calm.

Evelyn looked up sharply. "Those power struggles in the boardroom—"

"I orchestrated them." He admitted frankly. "Maintaining the status quo is easy. Let them compete. You just need to pick the best and consolidate."

"I don't want to maintain." Her gaze was resolute.

A flicker of approval crossed Alexander's eyes as he analyzed the company's complex interpersonal dynamics, eventually circling back to the proposal.

"Senior employees enjoy generous benefits but slack off. The real work comes from newly promoted talents."

"No wonder they dared to target me." Understanding dawned on Evelyn.

"Seems my research wasn't wasted." Alexander nodded approvingly.

Evelyn set down her bowl and grabbed the mouse again.

"Got an idea?"

"First verify the data, then adjust the project teams." Her eyes burned into the screen. "We can refine details later."

The sound of keyboard clicks filled the study, occasionally punctuated by rustling papers.

Fully focused, Evelyn quickly revised the flawed proposal and even organized the bidding materials.

"Have two teams prepare separate bids. We'll choose the better one." Her eyes never left the monitor.

Alexander watched her concentrated profile. "You learn fast."

"A leader doesn't need to excel at everything, but must know how to delegate." A faint smile touched her lips. "Today I learned another trick—using competition to drive efficiency."

Warmth shimmered in Alexander's eyes. "Exactly."

Evelyn turned to ask for bidding advice but froze—

Alexander was holding her bowl, leisurely drinking her leftover soup.

"You..." Her eyes widened.

"Hmm?" He set the bowl down calmly.

"Why didn't you bring two portions?"

"Watching you enjoy it made me want a taste." He scooped the last spoonful. "Want more?"

Evelyn shook her head.

Alexander tilted his head back, finishing the broth, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Alexander."

"Yes?"

"...Never mind."

He ruffled her hair. "I don't mind sharing my woman's soup."

"That's unhygienic." Evelyn frowned. "What if you get H. pylori—"

"Three years of marriage. If I was going to catch it, I would have by now." His low chuckle held amusement. "That time in the capital—"

"Shut up!" Her ears burned crimson as she shoved him away.