Chapter 92

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Evelyn's desk when she returned to find an email notification blinking insistently. The subject line read: Annual Gala – Department Participation Required.

A wave of excitement should have followed—after all, the annual gala was one of Titan Capital Group’s most anticipated events. But instead, an odd tension hung thick in the executive suite.

Frowning, Evelyn glanced around. "Why does everyone look like they’ve just been handed a death sentence?"

Natalie exhaled dramatically, leaning back in her chair. "Because every year, each department has to perform something at the gala. And every year, we humiliate ourselves."

Daniel nodded grimly. "We don’t exactly have a talent pool here."

Evelyn blinked. "What did you guys do last year?"

Cassandra groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Oh god, don’t remind me."

Natalie shuddered. "We drew straws."

Evelyn’s brows shot up. "And?"

Cassandra peeked through her fingers. "And let’s just say Simon’s rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody still haunts my nightmares."

A beat of silence. Then—

Evelyn burst out laughing.

Natalie shot her a glare. "It’s not funny! The marketing department had a full jazz band. HR did a Hamilton medley. And we? We had Simon screeching Galileo while Daniel attempted air guitar."

Daniel winced. "I still have flashbacks."

Evelyn wiped her eyes, still grinning. "Okay, but what’s the plan this year?"

Natalie sighed. "That’s the problem. We don’t have one."

Cassandra groaned again. "We could always just skip it."

Daniel shook his head. "Mr. Whitmore already said no. He wants all departments represented."

Evelyn tapped her chin. "What if we do something simple? Like… a skit?"

Natalie perked up. "A skit?"

Evelyn nodded. "Something short, funny. No singing required."

Cassandra hesitated. "But who’s writing it?"

Silence.

Then, slowly, all eyes turned to Evelyn.

She froze. "Oh no. No, no, no—"

Natalie grinned. "You are the newest hire."

Daniel nodded solemnly. "It’s tradition."

Evelyn groaned. "I walked right into this, didn’t I?"

Cassandra patted her shoulder. "Welcome to the team."

Evelyn sighed, defeated. "Fine. But if this backfires, I’m blaming all of you."

Natalie smirked. "Deal."

As Evelyn opened a blank document, one thought echoed in her mind:

What have I gotten myself into?

The office buzzed with nervous energy as the annual company talent show loomed closer.

"I still can't believe we got last place last year," Natalie groaned, slumping in her chair. "And I was the poor soul who had to recite poetry. It felt like a kindergarten recital."

Victoria blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.

Evelyn bit her lip, guilt flashing across her face. "This is all my fault. I embarrassed our entire department!"

Meanwhile, Cassandra had already torn sheets of paper into strips, scribbling names. "Enough whining. Let's draw lots again this year."

"Wait!" Evelyn suddenly turned to Victoria, eyes bright with hope. "Do you have any hidden talents?"

"Me?" Victoria froze.

A memory surfaced—her fingers gliding over cello strings, music swelling around her. But that was before...before everything.

Just as she opened her mouth to respond, Cassandra cut in with a smirk. "No need for drawing. Victoria will represent us this year. She plays the cello."

Victoria's head snapped up, shock rippling through her. How did Cassandra know? She hadn't touched her instrument in years.

Natalie whooped, clapping her hands. "No way! You play cello? This changes everything! We might actually place this year!"

Victoria's shoulders hunched as her fingers curled into her palms. "I...I don't play anymore." The lie tasted bitter.

Victoria's face darkened instantly. "Don't play dumb with me. I saw you leaving the music room with my own eyes. This isn't just about you—it's about our department's reputation. Are you really going to let everyone down?"

Her voice was sharp, laced with accusation. She had been on her coffee break when she'd spotted Evelyn exiting the room, cello case in hand.

Just then, the office door swung open.

Alexander stepped out, followed closely by Simon, who carried a sleek briefcase and a laptop. They looked ready for an off-site meeting.

As they walked away, Evelyn's phone buzzed.

A message from Alexander: [I'd give anything to hear you play the cello again.]

Her breath hitched. Did he overhear us?

As the workday neared its end, Victoria dropped a thick stack of files onto Evelyn's desk. "Deliver these to the Marketing Department's manager. Immediately."

Evelyn frowned. Marketing Department manager? That's Ethan.

Daniel knew exactly who she was—and more importantly, the tangled history between her and Alexander.

The moment Evelyn saw the stack of documents, she knew exactly what was coming.

Daniel, ever the gentleman, immediately stepped forward. "I'm heading that way anyway. I can drop them off."

Victoria shook her head. "They specifically requested Evelyn to deliver these."

Evelyn clenched her jaw but took the files without protest. As she walked toward the Marketing Department, her heels echoed sharply against the marble floors.

She dropped the documents on the reception desk, already turning to leave.

The receptionist cleared her throat. "Mr. Ethan Caldwell asked that you bring them directly to his office."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. Of course he did.

She knocked once before pushing the door open—only to freeze at the sight before her.

Vanessa was perched on Ethan’s lap, her arms looped around his neck. Their lips were locked in a heated kiss, completely oblivious—or perhaps deliberately ignoring—her presence.

Evelyn stood there, watching them for a long, silent moment.

Then, as if sensing her gaze, Ethan deepened the kiss, pulling Vanessa closer with a low, mocking groan.

The sound snapped Evelyn out of her shock.

She strode forward, slamming the documents onto his desk with enough force to make them both jolt apart.

"Is this all you wanted?" she asked, voice dripping with disdain. "A cheap show? If you're going to put on a performance, at least make it worth watching. Or are you two too scared to take it further?"

Her words hung in the air, sharp as a blade.

Vanessa’s cheeks flushed crimson, but Ethan only smirked, his fingers tightening around her waist.

Evelyn didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel and walked out, leaving them in stunned silence.

The door clicked shut behind her.

She didn’t look back.