Ellison And Joycelyn: A Love Beyond The Rules

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

“Team dinner tonight? Joycelyn asked casually.

Aurelia had just returned with a cup of water. Setting it down on her desk, she replied. “It might be postponed.

“The company we were working with on the Linda project has come under investigation, so the deal is off. We’ll need to find a new partner, and we’ll be working overtime today.

“What?” Selene, who had been teasing Joycelyn, stopped in her tracks when she heard the news. Her playful grin disappeared, and she looked like she’d just been struck by a thunderbolt,

Joycelyn let out a quiet sigh of relief. Still, she was surprised and a bit relieved to hear that the deal had fallen through. It was a good thing they hadn’t ended up working with a shady company like Tommy’s.

Joycelyn asked, “So, does this mean everything’s off and we have to renegotiate from scratch?”

“Yes.” Aurelia nodded.

“Well, I still have the company information we gathered last time. It’ll probably come in handy again. Hopefully, we can find a better partner this time,” Joycelyn said, quickly pulling out the files she had gathered.

“Great. We’ll have a meeting in half an hour. This project will be handled by our team,” Aurelia said.

“Got it.” Joycelyn handed over the physical files and also shared the digital ones in the team’s chat.

“Alright, let’s get to work. Once we nail this, we can think about that dinner. Selene sighed, adopting the typical “hardworking employee” attitude.

“By the way, Joycelyn, don’t forget to bring your boyfriend to the dinner. Let’s see if he’s a good match,” Selene said, her curiosity about Joycelyn’s boyfriend now clearly outpacing her interest in the work at hand.

Joycelyn, a bit embarrassed, quickly changed the subject. “Let’s focus on work for now.”

With that, Joycelyn threw herself into the tasks–attending the meeting, taking minutes, and revising the project proposal. By the time she finished, the morning had flown by.

At lunch, she joined Aurelia and Selene in the cafeteria. Joycelyn ordered a soup for herself.

After lunch, during the break, Joycelyn went to find William to check on how Rocky, the little puppy, was doing with its training.

William sent her two short videos of the dog in training. After watching them, Joycelyn finally felt her nerves settle. Her little puppy hadn’t been abandoned, and that was a relief.

can you do me a favor?” Aurelia suddenly stood up and called out to Joycelyn,

looked up from her

to handle some paperwork, but Mr. Grant wants a quick report. Can you go

it be a bit awkward for me to go?” Joycelyn glanced at

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Chapter 38

puppy tearing up the place, Joycelyn was feeling a little anxious. She wasn’t sure if

fine. He trusts your ability, and if anything goes wrong. I’ll take

took a deep breath to calm

her and walked

whole floor was dedicated to Ellison’s office

felt a little nervous. The door was slightly ajar, so she walked up and knocked softly.

Ellison’s deep voice called from inside.

the office with the files in hand, her gaze toward Ellison

moving

defined fingers filled the quiet room, creating an oddly calming atmosphere. The light pouring through the floor–to–ceiling windows bathed his sharply chiseled features and

a man looked his most attractive when he was focused on his work. At that moment, Joycelyn saw a different side to

sitting there, he gave off the impression of someone who was always in control. His cold, imposing presence

voice broke the silence, without

slightly puzzled. “Why do I need to close the door for the report?”

that’s fine too,” he replied, finally glancing up at her. His sharp gaze briefly met hers before he set his pen down, as

quiet hallway outside. It was the top floor, mostly empty, but

confident moments

Joycelyn began, but before

chair, casually unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt.

was deep and steady, filled with the mature masculinity that only someone in his position could

aura of someone who had always been at the top, with a presence that could silence a

and pretending to focus on the

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Chapter 38

Feb.

with me,” Ellison said, walking over to the small dining area