Chapter 601

Anthony Taylor detected the hesitation in her voice, his eyes flashing with hope while maintaining a gentle tone. "Work comes first. Leave this matter to me. Your adoptive father is straightforward but reasonable. I'll talk to him properly."

"Thank you." Evelyn Carter's fingers tightened slightly around her phone.

"Family doesn't stand on ceremony." Anthony hurriedly ended the call, afraid she might change her mind. "Focus on your work."

As the screen darkened, Evelyn exhaled deeply.

A mountain of files awaited her on the desk.

With her assistant Olivia's help, efficiency improved significantly. By the end of the workday, she finally closed the last document.

"That's all for today." Evelyn tidied her desk and said to Olivia, "I'll handle the rest at home."

Olivia smiled knowingly. "Director Carter, proper rest ensures peak performance."

The phrase sounded familiar.

Evelyn didn't dwell on it, grabbing her bag to leave. Colleagues in the hallway cast sideways glances, their hushed conversations cutting off abruptly as she passed.

Office gossip spread like wildfire.

In the elevator, two female employees whispered: "Director Carter leaving early again... must be nice having connections..."

Evelyn pressed the button impassively.

At the reception desk, she found it empty. Peering around the partition, she spotted several receptionists clustered by the floor-to-ceiling windows, pointing excitedly at the street.

Following their gaze, Evelyn's breath hitched.

The white Cayenne was unmistakable.

She instinctively reached for her phone, but the receptionists' chatter reached her ears:

"Mr. Hamilton's here again!"

"Heard he defended Director Carter at the board meeting this morning..."

"Could the rumors be true?"

"Which one? The fiancée or..."

Evelyn's finger hovered over the screen.

If even receptionists recognized Alexander Hamilton's car, any warning now would be pointless.

She debated calling her driver when the Cayenne's door suddenly opened.

Alexander strode forward briskly, breaking into a jog as he neared the automatic doors.

Every eye in the lobby turned toward him.

Stopping before Evelyn, his gaze softened with unmistakable tenderness. "Finished work?"

Evelyn stiffened under the weight of countless stares. "Is there something you need, Mr. Hamilton?"

"Just giving you a ride." Reading her discomfort, he took a deliberate step back. "Emails are so impersonal."

Nearby employees deliberately slowed their steps.

Evelyn kept her voice formal. "Company matters should follow proper procedures."

Once they were out of earshot, Alexander chuckled. "It's normal for us to know each other. Overly avoiding contact looks more suspicious."

"You're right." Her shoulders relaxed slightly.

"Heard some gossip today?"

"Yes."

"Bad?"

"About me, tolerable. About you..." She trailed off.

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "What are they saying?"

"You sure you want to hear this?"

"All ears."

Evelyn met his gaze squarely. "They say you have masochistic tendencies."

Alexander's expression froze. "Excuse me?"