Chapter 577

Evelyn's fingertips tightened slightly, her knuckles turning white.

A dozen pairs of eyes in the conference room were fixed on her, forcing her to maintain a composed facade.

"Mr. Hamilton, are you here to supervise the meeting because you don't trust me?" Her voice was cool, almost rigid.

Manager Gregory rushed forward as if seeing a savior. "Mr. Hamilton, you're finally here! The company has been leaderless, waiting for you to take charge!"

Henry immediately straightened his slouched posture, his face plastered with flattery. "Yes, Mr. Hamilton. Without you these past few days, we've been completely rudderless."

Alexander's gaze never left Evelyn.

Today, she was entirely different from usual. The sharply tailored blazer accentuated her slender waist, her knee-length skirt revealing a glimpse of pale calves. The black stilettos added an edge to her presence. Her hair, pinned up in a neat bun, made her look both efficient and striking.

Only the slightly open collar of her blouse, exposing a sliver of fair skin, darkened Alexander's eyes.

Evelyn noticed his stare and instinctively touched her neck.

Nothing was out of place.

She raised a brow, silently questioning: What are you looking at?

Alexander averted his gaze, his tone indifferent. "Anderson Group now has a new leader. It's not my place to interfere. I'm here purely for personal reasons."

Manager Gregory quickly interjected, "Did Mr. Anderson Sr. send you? Ah, after all, it's the company he built from the ground up..."

"Uncle Anderson has complete faith in Evelyn."

Manager Gregory faltered, forcing an awkward smile. "It's only natural for a father to dote on his daughter. But women are better suited for domestic roles. The business world is a battlefield—how could they possibly handle it?"

Evelyn's expression instantly turned icy.

Alexander's eyes darkened. "Manager Gregory, that’s an extremely unprofessional remark."

"I'm just stating facts! Look at any industry—how many top professionals are women? Women are emotional, obsessed with celebrities and dramas. What great things can they achieve?"

Alexander's jaw tensed, the air around him turning frigid.

Henry hurriedly tried to mediate. "Manager Gregory, Miss Anderson is still Mr. Anderson Sr.'s daughter..."

"I never said I don’t respect her!" Manager Gregory retorted stubbornly. "As long as she stays out of company affairs, I’ll treat her like my own niece!"

Henry nodded repeatedly. "Exactly, Miss Anderson is new here. We should be understanding..."

Manager Gregory scoffed. "Now that Mr. Hamilton is here, this matter can be settled properly. The Hamiltons and Andersons are close. Miss Anderson is practically like Mr. Hamilton's sister..."

"Who said she’s my sister?" Alexander's voice suddenly sharpened.

Manager Gregory froze, thinking he’d misunderstood. "Right, right! What nonsense about siblings—there’s no relation at all!"

Evelyn said coolly, "Manager Gregory is correct. Mr. Hamilton and I have no connection."

Alexander’s face darkened further.

Encouraged, Manager Gregory grew bolder. "Mr. Hamilton, I just can’t accept this! Some little girl—"

Thud!

A thermal lunchbox landed heavily on the conference table.

Manager Gregory jumped. "What’s this...?"

"Her lunch." Alexander looked at Evelyn. "Pause the meeting. Eat first."

Evelyn frowned. "We haven’t finished discussing."

"The meeting can wait. Lunch can’t." Without waiting for a response, he took her hand. "Everyone, we’ll resume in half an hour."

Evelyn tried to pull away. "Alexander!"

He stepped closer, abruptly closing the distance between them. When she raised a hand to push him away, he caught it, interlacing their fingers.

"Are you insane?" Evelyn hissed under her breath.

Alexander leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "See? These old fossils will never respect you. Instead of wasting time, show your hand directly."

"Anthony Anderson should be the one to—"

"Who do you think they’ll listen to more?"

Evelyn fell silent.

Anthony had been absent from company affairs for years. The real authority had long been Alexander’s.

"...I know you don’t want to rely on my influence," his breath warmed her ear, "but this is the fastest way."