Chapter 276: Chapter 276

I stood there for a second longer than necessary, holding the stack in my hands, letting the cold and the silence settle me.

It was strange, but the simple act of tracking them down, one by one, had helped. It gave my thoughts somewhere else to go, something physical to focus on instead of the mess in my head.

I turned back toward the building, papers secure under my arm, feeling just a little steadier than I had half an hour ago.

I climbed the stairs, the cold still clinging to my coat, when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out mid-step and answered, entering the building.

“Hello?”

“I saw you entering the building,” a woman said. Calm. Professional. “Have you found all the pages?”

“Yeah,” I replied automatically, then slowed. “Wait—who is this?”

“Maeve. Amelia’s here in the infirmary. I’m actually looking at you through the window right now.” There was a faint smile in her voice. “You can come up if you want.”

I glanced toward the glass doors ahead. “Alright… Emilia’s there too?”

A pause. “Amelia?”

“No—Emilia.”

“Oh. Nope,” Maeve said. “She and her friend are at that house you and Ms. Nolin talked about.”

“Alright. Thanks.”

I ended the call and headed for the elevator, stepping inside as the doors slid shut behind me. I pressed the fifteenth-floor button and leaned back slightly, exhaling as the elevator hummed upward.

The doors opened with a soft chime.

I walked down the hall and pushed open the infirmary door.

Amelia was there, sitting on one of the beds. Her shoe was off, foot wrapped loosely, nothing dramatic. She looked a little embarrassed, a little tired. Maeve sat behind the desk nearby, legs crossed, half-focused on her phone like this was just another Tuesday.

Amelia’s eyes immediately dropped to the papers tucked under my arm. Her face visibly relaxed. She’d been lying back, but she pushed herself upright, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You found them,” she said, genuinely relieved. “Wow. Thank you.”

“Yeah,” I said, stepping closer. “I played Slender Man back when I was young. I’m good with finding pages, heh.”

“Slander… men?” she asked, one eyebrow lifting.

I winced. “Never mind.”

I handed her the papers. She took them carefully, thumbing through the stack like she didn’t quite believe they were real.

“Thank you,” she said again, quieter this time. “I didn’t make copies. I really thought they were gone.”

“It’s fine,” I said. “How’s your foot?”

“Nothing serious,” Maeve answered without looking up. “Minor sprain. Heel snapped, not the ankle. She’ll live.”

“Good,” I said, nodding. “What an unlucky day, huh?”

“Yeah,” Amelia sighed. “I missed the bus too. I’m late.”

“You use the bus?” I asked, then paused. “Oh. Right. We actually met on one.”

She nodded. “Mm.”

“You don’t have a car?”

“No license,” she said. “I could buy one. But who would drive it?”

“Where do you live?” I asked. “If it’s close, maybe I could—”

“Near Jerry Waffle.”

I blinked. “Oof. That’s far.”

She shrugged lightly. “I manage.”

╭───────────╮

EVENT

===============

Amelia’s Interest +5

╰───────────╯

“You really should learn to drive,” I said. “Buses are a nightmare. At least take taxis.”

“Taxis are expensive,” she replied. “I’m okay with the bus.”

“Well,” I said, shifting my weight, “if you ever want to learn, I can help. I taught a friend once. Ivy. She only crashed twice.”

She stared at me.

“Twice?” she said, then laughed—soft, surprised, like it escaped her. It didn’t quite fit her usual serious expression, which somehow made it better. “You’re a terrible mentor.”

“Maybe,” I admitted.

I took a step back and lifted my hand in a small wave. “Anyway. I should get going.”

“Yeah,” she said, holding the papers to her chest. “See you, Evan.”

“Hmm.”

“And… thanks,” she added, smiling this time. A small one. Real.

I nodded once and turned for the door, the image of that smile lingering just a little longer than it probably should have.

╭───────────╮

WOMEN – INTERACTIONS

===============

Jasmine: Interest: 40 / 60★★

Kayla: Interest: 23 / 40★

Tessa: Interest: 27 / 40★

Kim: Interest: 35 / 40★

Delilah: Interest: 75 / 80★★★

Cora: Interest: 100 / 100★★★★★

Mendy: Interest: 11 /20

Nala: Interest: 100 /100★★★★★

Penelope: Interest: 5 /20

Minne: Interest: 28 /40★

Ivy: Interest: 2/20

Eleanor: Interest: 10/20

Amelia: Interest: 5/20

===============

Progress:

★☆☆☆☆ – 20 Interest: Milestone reward

★★☆☆☆ – 40 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★☆☆ – 60 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★★☆ – 80 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★★★ -100 Interest: Milestone reward

===============

Select a woman to track progress.

╰───────────╯

I left the infirmary and headed down the hall, my steps slower now that the rush was gone. The elevator waited at the end of the corridor. I pressed the button and stood there, hands in my coat pockets, staring at my own reflection in the dull metal doors while my thoughts tried to catch up with me.

The doors slid open. I stepped inside, rode it down in silence, then stepped out onto our floor.

Nala was in her office. She looked up the moment she saw me, a tired but warm smile spreading across her face. She lifted her hand and crooked a finger, wordlessly telling me to come over.

I smiled back and walked to her door, pushing it open.

“There’s my favorite secretary,” she said lightly. “Hey.”

“There’s my favorite CEO,” I replied. “How are you?”

“Tired,” she admitted, leaning back in her chair. “Should we head home early today?”

“Sure,” I shrugged. “Less work, happier Evan.”

We both chuckled.

She stood, smoothing her skirt as she came around the desk. When she reached me, she slid her arms around my shoulders and leaned in. I met her halfway, kissing her softly, familiar and grounding in a way I didn’t realize I needed until that moment.

Then…

A sudden flash.

Bright. Quick. From the corridor.

I pulled back instinctively and turned my head to the left. The hallway was empty. No footsteps. No voices. Just the quiet hum of the building.

“What happened?” Nala asked, brows knitting slightly. “Something wrong?”

“I thought I saw something,” I muttered, scanning the corridor again. Nothing. I shook my head. “Probably nothing. I’m just tired.”

She studied me for a second, then nodded. “Yeah. Long day.”

“Let’s just head home,” I said.

“Yup.”

As we grabbed our things, the thought of that flash lingered in the back of my mind. But I pushed it aside. Stress, lack of sleep, too much on my plate. That had to be it.

At least, that’s what I told myself.

❤︎‬‪‪❤︎❤︎

I unlocked the door, stepped inside, and slipped the keycard back into my pocket. Jasmine, Nala, Kim, Tessa, and I followed in one by one, all of us moving slower than usual, exhaustion weighing on our shoulders.

I kicked my boots off near the entrance and brushed the clinging snow from my coat. The others did the same, coats coming off, bags set aside, fabric rustling as everything was hung neatly by the rack.

“I swear my feet are about to fall off,” Jasmine muttered as she stretched her shoulders.

“I’m just glad we left early,” Tessa added with a tired sigh.

“Same,” Kim said quietly. “Today felt way too long.”

Minne appeared from the kitchen, her warm smile instant and comforting despite the heavy mood. “Dinner is ready, Master.”

“Thanks, honey,” I said, exhaling deeply. “I’m gonna wash my face first.”

I headed to the common bathroom and closed the door behind me. Cold water splashed against my skin as I leaned over the sink, letting it run over my face. I straightened and looked at myself in the mirror. Tired eyes stared back at me, sharper than usual, my face still handsome but worn. My hair had gotten longer too, strands falling forward and brushing my eyes. I looked… stretched thin.

Then Nala’s voice cut through the apartment.

“Evan?”

Her tone was wrong. Tight. Nervous.

“Evan, come here.”

I shut off the tap immediately and stepped out, my heart already starting to pound. The living room came into view, and I stopped short.

The girls were gathered in a loose circle around Nala. No one was speaking. Their faces were tense, pale, uncertain.

I walked closer. Jasmine and Kim stepped aside slowly, and that’s when I saw it. Nala was holding an open envelope in one hand. In the other, a photo.

My chest tightened.

It was us. Nala and me. Kissing. Today. In her office, just before we left. Beneath the photo, a single line had been printed:

’Give me Kim or this’ll spread out. I wonder what the investors would say to this?’

Silence crushed the room.

“Carrie,” Kim said quietly, her voice shaking. “It’s her… isn’t it?”

I rubbed my face slowly, fingers dragging down my cheeks. “Yeah,” I said. “It’s her.”

All eyes snapped to me.

“She came here,” I continued, forcing the words out. “She threatened me. Told me to give Kim back to Tom.”

Kim’s anger flared instantly. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she snapped, stepping forward. “Why would you keep that from me?”

“I thought she was all talk,” I said, my jaw tightening. “I really did. I didn’t think she’d go this far.”

Nala looked up at me, fear clear in her eyes as she held the photo like it might burn her fingers. “Evan… we can’t let this spread. Do you know what will happen if it does?”

“What would even happen?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “We could just tell them we’re a couple.”

“Before Project Phoenix?” she shot back quietly. “We can’t afford any drama. Not now. Not when we’re this close. If this photo goes public, we’re screwed.”

I dragged a hand through my hair and nodded to myself, forcing my breathing to slow. “Okay,” I said. “Okay. I’ll think of something. I promise.” I glanced around the table. “Let’s just… eat first, huh?”

Kim clenched her fists. “Tom…” she muttered, bitterness thick in her voice. Then she turned and walked straight toward the door.

“Kim,” I said quickly, stepping after her.

Jasmine caught my arm. “Let her have some time,” she said softly. “She needs it.”

I hesitated, every instinct telling me to follow, but I stopped. Slowly, reluctantly, I nodded and watched her leave.

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