Chapter 87 – Can I Get a Bonus
Just moments ago, David had appeared calm, composed, and approachable. But in the blink of an eye, he transformed, his sharp gaze cutting through the tension like a blade. The supervisor scrambled out, tripping over herself in a panic.
Caroline watched, her thoughts racing. I thought bullying the new formula specialist would be easy. Instead, I just torpedoed my own career.
Caroline was the wife of the Ellison Group’s CEO—what had she been thinking?
What ten thousand dollars? What severance pay? The supervisor probably didn’t realize that after receiving the money, she’d be blacklisted from every company in the city. No one would hire her again.
As the lab returned to its usual silence, Caroline subtly shifted a step away, putting some distance between herself and David. “I thought… you’d gone back to the Ellison residence,” she said, trying to sound casual.
Not only was he still at the office, but he had also appeared just in time to save her.
David had been caught up in an international video meeting, and the time difference with Europe meant it had run late into the night. He could have left directly afterward, but for some inexplicable reason, he had taken the elevator to the research and development floor and walked straight to the lab. She was there.
Even he didn’t fully understand why he’d done it.
His gaze turned to her, sharp but thoughtful. “You’re so sharp-tongued and unyielding with me, but with others, you’re a pushover?”
Caroline shrugged slightly. “I just didn’t want to escalate the situation. Resolving it peacefully seemed like the best option.”
David’s expression remained unreadable. “But with me, it’s okay to escalate?”
Maybe it was the late hour dulling her judgment, but Caroline blurted out, “That’s different. Husband and wife fight, but they always make up in the end.”
The moment the words left her mouth, she froze. David did too, momentarily caught off guard. The corner of his lips curved into a faint smile, then quickly flattened again.
Caroline’s face flushed as she realized she had just openly acknowledged their marriage. She coughed awkwardly and fiddled with the now bare aloe vera plant stem on the table.
David’s gaze followed her movements. “You worked overtime until midnight just for this aloe vera plant?”
Caroline smiled brightly, her excitement bubbling over. “Yeah, I discovered a new formula!”
David raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued but maintaining his composed demeanor. “All this effort… do you think Boris will increase your salary?”
Caroline paused for a moment before replying with a hopeful tone, “I don’t know if Mr. Boris will, but Mr. Ellison… will you?”
David turned, casually walking toward the exit. “Depends on your performance.”
Caroline hurried to catch up, her steps quick as she fell in beside him. “Mr. Boris gave me two weeks to develop a formula, but tonight, I made a major breakthrough. I think the complete formula will be ready in three days!”
“An affordable yet effective ingredient—the magic of natural aloe vera! It soothes sensitive skin, has no fragrance or harsh chemicals, and is cost-effective. Tonight’s overtime was totally worth it!”
Her voice grew more animated as she spoke, her passion for the project clear. “This product will definitely be a hit with consumers. With all the stress people face these days, their skin is often in poor condition, and the air quality and allergies are terrible everywhere. Once it hits the market, it’ll sell like crazy.”
As Caroline rambled on, her face lit up with excitement, her eyes glowing with energy as she shared her thoughts with David.
Though David kept walking, his attention was fully on her. He didn’t look back, but he absorbed every word she said.
Caroline tilted her head, glancing at his sharply defined profile. “I’m confident this will surpass the toner and lotion I developed before. Mr. Ellison, if the sales exceed expectations, can I get a bonus?”
A playful smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. If there’s a bonus, I could pocket six figures. I’ll stash it away in my secret savings account and become a little rich lady!
David’s steps slowed, but he didn’t answer immediately. Caroline, heart racing with anticipation, watched him closely.
