Chapter 68
“Mr. Grant actually came to the employee cafeteria? Quick, eat, eat!” Selene exclaimed in awe one second, then quickly ducked her head to continue eating.
Her flustered expression was just as nervous as Joycelyn’s.
She still remembered how tense the last meal was in the cafeteria.
Aurelia, on the other hand, was a little more composed, not making a scene like the others.
She quietly ate her meal without stealing glances at the CEO or whispering with excitement.
“Is this seat taken?” William’s polite voice interrupted the moment, as he asked while standing near the table.
The three of them looked up at the same time.
They froze for a second before shaking their heads. The colleagues sitting next to them had just finished and left, and the table had been cleared by the cleaning staff.
Joycelyn, cheeks puffed up, couldn’t help but steal glances at Ellison.
She tried to subtly signal him to sit somewhere else, but William’s next words sealed her fate.
“Mr. Grant, this seat’s free. Let’s sit here,” William said, setting Ellison’s meal down before making an inviting gesture.
Ellison nodded and gracefully took his seat. His position was just across the aisle from Joycelyn, slightly diagonal, an undeniable presence she couldn’t ignore.
Joycelyn gripped her fork tightly, trying to maintain her composure.
The employee cafeteria wasn’t short of talented and attractive young people, but as soon as Ellison entered, his inherent, aristocratic aura made everyone else fade into the background.
The lively chatter slowed down, and the atmosphere shifted.
After Ellison sat down, Joycelyn didn’t want to draw attention to herself, so she quietly focused on her meal–roast ribs.
She had decided to eat everything she used to deny herself, and this time, she would eat twice as much. There was no need to hold back.
Meanwhile, Ellison sat elegantly, savoring his meal without a care for her discomfort. His wedding ring, worn with effortless poise, only added to his cool, restrained aura as a married man.
Unable to resist, Joycelyn glanced up, only to meet his eyes for a brief, electric moment.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly shoved a piece of rib into her mouth, praying no one would notice their exchanged glances.
She instinctively placed her left hand on her lap to hide the ring.
Ellison blinked once, his eyes deep and calm, though there was a hint of mischief in them.
“Well, Mr. Grant. What a coincidence, you’re eating in the employee cafeteria?” A sweet, familiar voice broke the silence. Joycelyn and the others immediately turned toward the sound.
It was Ruby, wearing the same kind of ring as Joycelyn, and walking alongside none other than the woman who had comforted her at the birthday party.
Joycelyn paused her chewing, suddenly relaxing, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.
She had the distinct feeling that something interesting was about to unfold.
And sure enough, her eager expression didn’t go unnoticed by Ellison. His brows furrowed slightly, and his presence seemed to grow even more commanding.
“William, may I sit next to you?” Cecilia asked with her usual casual confidence.
Before William could respond, she had already seated herself.
“Ruby, why don’t you sit next to Mr. Grant?” Cecilia continued, her voice sweet as honey. “You two had a bit of a misunderstanding last time. It’d be great to clear the air today. After all, with yesterday’s press conference success, you’ll be Mr. Grant’s genius chief designer.”
“Mr. Grant, you don’t mind, do you?” Ruby asked, though her tone was careful, cautious even, as she moved toward Ellison’s side.
Joycelyn couldn’t look away from Ellison’s face, watching as his icy expression grew even colder.
He had a way of carrying himself that exuded power and control.
His thin lips parted slightly, and he said with calm, unmistakable authority, “I mind.”
Those close by, especially the ones shipping them as a couple, gasped in surprise.
Joycelyn was no exception.
Ellison’s cold, merciless face was enough to intimidate anyone, and Ruby’s persistence seemed almost painful to witness. Ruby froze for a moment, but her resolve was stronger than Joycelyn had expected.
She smiled softly, her tone now gentle. “Alright, I understand. It’s a bit crowded here. I’ll sit with Cecilia instead.” With that, she walked over to Cecilia, sitting across from Ellison.
Ellison’s frown deepened, and his gaze, sharp as a blade, momentarily flickered toward Ruby before returning to his meal.
Cecilia, ever the loyal follower of Ruby, immediately jumped in to defuse the situation.
She said, “Ellison, yesterday’s press conference was truly remarkable. My brother was supposed to come for the talks, but he couldn’t make it, so I came with Ruby. We thought we’d try out the company’s cafeteria. Do you always eat here?”
Ellison’s brows twitched with displeasure as he responded coldly, “You always talk this much, or is it just when you’re eating?”
Cecilia fell silent, and the atmosphere grew incredibly awkward.
Joycelyn, sitting across the aisle, could hardly bear to listen.
Ellison was incredibly patient with her, a lot more lenient than she would have been if she were in his shoes.
Ruby, undeterred, tried again. “Ellison, after yesterday, I’ve become a trailblazer in this field. If we keep working together, I can make Grant Group even more successful.”
Ellison shot back with icy sarcasm, “You’ve spent quite a bit buying up influencers, haven’t you? Leon won’t even answer my calls anymore.”
Joycelyn, eating her meal in silence, couldn’t help but admire her husband’s sharpness as he put the ambitious socialite in her place.
It was clear that Ruby wasn’t getting what she wanted.
“What a coincidence, Joycelyn. Ms. Wilson and Mr. Grant dining together, and your knockoff wedding ring is nowhere to be found. Are you hiding it because you’re embarrassed?” Anna walked over, carrying her plate, clearly unaware of what had just happened.
She immediately stirred the pot, saying it loud enough for Ruby to hear.
“Well, no surprise there. I mean, pretending to be a couple in front of Ms. Wilson, making everyone think you’re with Mr. Grant… that must be pretty embarrassing, right?” Anna said with a mocking smile.
Anna’s words were meant to provoke, and Ruby’s cold gaze locked onto Joycelyn, sending a chill down her spine.
Her eyes were full of malice, like knives ready to cut.
