Ellison And Joycelyn: A Love Beyond The Rules

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The office buzzed with a mix of tension and routine when Selene broke the monotony with her signature cheeky grin Leaning forward conspiratorially, she teased. “Joycelyn, the way you were acting just now–if I didn’t already know you had a boyfriend, I might have thought there was something going on between you and Mr. Grant”

Joycelyn’s heart skipped a beat, the playful accusation hitting too close to home. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly averted her gaze.

Her thoughts whirled in a chaotic loop.

I need to stay away from him from now on. Selene’s already picking up on something–I can’t let my guard down now! Joycelyn resolved silently.

Before Joycelyn could respond, Aurelia Finch, their no–nonsense team leader, glanced over with a wry smile. “Selene, quit stirring the pot. Poor Joycelyn looks like she’s about to faint. Next time, how about I assign you to present to Mr. Grant directly! Give you a chance to get close.”

Selene immediately waved her hands in protest. “No, no, no! Aurelia, please spare me. I’m terrified of him!”

Joycelyn finally let out a small laugh, though it was more from relief than amusement. “Next time, I’ll gladly pass the honor to you,” she said, half–joking.

Anything to avoid him, she thought to herself, the mere idea making her stomach tighten.

The office was unusually quiet that afternoon until a sharp chime broke the monotony.

Linda Lorne, their ever–demanding department head, had suddenly issued a new directive in the group chat: [Plan a grand birthday party. Everyone must draft a detailed proposal.]

[Submission deadline: Before tomorrow noon.]

Joycelyn frowned as she read the message, irritation flickering across her face.

It was the first time Linda had reached out in days, resurfacing after her latest debacle.

The collaboration Linda had worked so hard to secure had been unceremoniously shut down by Ellison, and the involved partner company was now embroiled in legal trouble. Joycelyn didn’t need details to know Ellison’s handiwork was all over it.

Still, Linda had escaped relatively unscathed–apart from her authority being halved and shared with Aurelia. Yet here she was, back to assigning busywork.

Jocelyn remembered overhearing Ellison on the phone that morning. His voice, calm but firm, carried through the corridor. “The surveillance in the private room has malfunctioned,” he had said. Although it was merely a passing comment, Joycelyn could deduce that this was why Linda escaped relatively unscathed.

She didn’t dwell on it for long. After all, the incident had been her own slip–up, and Ellison stepping in to handle the fallout was a gesture she hadn’t expected. If anything, she felt grateful–he had taken the trouble to protect her dignity and settle the score on her behalf.

As for Linda, her direct supervisor, that was a different matter altogether. Their relationship, strained yet functional. required careful balancing. Linda was far from someone Joycelyn could challenge or risk alienating. For now, diplomacy was her best weapon, even if it meant swallowing her pride and playing along.

Chapter 40

“A birthday party? Linda’s snagged another side gig through her connections, and now she wants us to pitch in for her benefit Selene was the first to speak, her voice tinged with annoyance.

It was clear she wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of added workload.

After all, no one among the working class would willingly play the lackey.

That was, until Linda dropped the bombshell: It was a party for Ellison’s birthday, and they were all expected to make extra effort:|

to herself,

over the name Ellison displayed on the screen. “Our Mr.

at the company for two years and had never once heard

chimed in, always

exact date,” Aurelia remarked. “He’s always been quite private when it comes

taken aback, but the surprise lasted only a second before

succession.

Joycelyn couldn’t ignore the thought. It lingered, tugging at her with a strange mix of curiosity and hesitation.

all, she’d caused him plenty of

repay him somehow, but Ellison’s resources and capabilities made

seemed to have handed her the perfect opportunity.

her phone and quickly searched online: Best birthday gifts

disbelief. She blinked at the questionable suggestions flooding her screen, the faint smile on her lips vanishing

this as an excuse to suck Mr. Grant and claw

ty to

way back, we’re still stuck as her grunts, Joycelyn said dryly, earning a dramatic groan from Selene.

only I had connections! If I’d studied

dramatically, completely ignoring the fact that Linda’s assistant,

everyone is as exceptional as Linda? You’re destined to be nothing more than her underling,”

if she lived

Rie, 11 Feb

Chapter 40

you’re any better. At the end of the day, we’re all just employees”

Anna retorted, her smugness palpable. Unlike you, who lacks Joycelyn’s

521

your drama for someone who cares. I’m not playing this ‘mean girls‘

a kind.” Joycelyn interjected

stood up and calmly poured herself a glass of water, taking a small up before speaking Thstead of wasting tim bickering, why not channel that energy into something productive Like drafting a couple more birthday proposals

declared, crossing her arms with a smug grin. “Of course, you can’t compare. The CEO never celebrates his birthday, and only those close to him would know the date. When the time comes, you’ll all be left green with ey Her words hung in air, brimming

silent understanding passing between them. Without another word they

they moved on, uninterested in

out a message to Ellison:

glanced down to see Joycelyn’s name

much for birthdays had, for once, opened his calendar and replied: [In

shocked emoji followed by a congratulatory

direct and asked: [What do you want for your birthday?] Ellison read her message, his gaze lingering

matter–of–fact tone: (I don’t like

bit awkward, and before she could

over the screen, uncertainty

devoid of any subtlety or surprise–just the dry simplicity of two people, as straightforward as ever Ellison put his phone down, getting

the project that had

involved in the birthday planning that Linda had mentioned; instead, Anna’s

for that task.