"Engineer Sinclair, you’re truly incredible!" "There’s always someone better, something greater. We witnessed it today!" Applause thundered, causing employees passing outside the conference room to glance back frequently, as if the event inside was the company’s annual awards ceremony rather than a design project selection meeting. Serena Sinclair lifted her gaze and saw everyone applauding. The design team she was part of was clapping particularly hard. Before Serena started her presentation, no one knew what she had accomplished, not even her team, the sixth group. However, from project one to project six, every single drawing independently completed had a note from Serena listing the drafter, but it wasn’t her own name. It was "Design Team One." Four characters that encompassed all members of Team One. Even though the project wasn’t secured yet and it was merely an initial screening phase selection meeting. But Serena’s work attitude, enormous workload, and exceptional design skills at this moment conquered everyone. Including the executives, everyone finally understood why Claire Carson had unhesitatingly recommended Serena to Hawthorne Corporation back then. Why, despite being Serena’s superior, she always called Serena "Senior Sinclair," both in meetings and privately. You just have to respect her! "Well, now onto the Q&A session..." As if she knew everything like the back of her hand, Claire Carson surveyed around, "From project one to project five, incorporating your original designs, do the other five groups have any differing opinions on these new ideas?" Group members chimed in one after another, "We only thought of the technology park, while she considered an exhibition area, and even stimulated Lindenhall’s GDP. We accept it willingly!" "Senior Sinclair, the chain brand for project two, are you referring to The Longwood Forest Reserve? As far as I know, Longwood has strict requirements for its brand, and with Orion City’s current conditions, it seems unattainable!" Outside the door, it became gradually noisy as people came and went. An assistant also knocked and entered, asking if they needed meals delivered. Serena was obviously part of Hawthorne Corporation, part of the project design department. Yet a group of people hurriedly sought her answers as if they wouldn’t get them once they stepped out of the room. "Orion City’s current conditions aren’t sufficient, but what about the future? We can talk to Longwood first, then take their feedback to Orion City’s leaders. This is a win-win project, I think both parties would strive to facilitate collaboration..." Serena answered one by one, "And if Hawthorne can secure this project, we might even get the best concession model from Orion City’s leaders. After all, it’s not just about building a project, it’s about Orion City’s future development and city image." Serena explained in detail. The crowd nodded continuously. A meeting originally planned for two hours ended at two o’clock. "Now everyone should have a clear perspective." Claire Carson gave her final speech summary, "Next Friday at this time, we’ll hold the second research and selection meeting. You all can refine your team’s designs and arrangements. Next time, it won’t just be our project design department’s meeting; it will include finance, risk control, and other departments to decide our focus for the fourth quarter." With those words, the crowd immediately felt famished. Going to the restaurant at this time meant off-peak dining. They could leisurely enjoy a lunch plus afternoon tea. People grouped in twos and threes, heading out. Some were eager to invite Serena to join, hoping to continue discussing the unfinished design thoughts during lunch. A cool voice sounded from the head of the table. Serena paused in her motion to get up. Almost with incredulous and questioning eyes, she looked at Wyatt Hawthorne, "President Hawthorne..." Wyatt narrowed his eyes slightly, asked softly, "Can I go home now?" Some who had already left the conference room stopped instinctively upon hearing the boss’s voice. Others were busy packing laptops and water cups, pulling out chairs ready to leave. Wyatt’s words brought a brief silence in the conference room. Serena’s head buzzed lightly at the top. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel{f}ire.net Her soul was catapulted three thousand nautical miles by a spring. "President Hawthorne..." Her voice soft, Serena’s gaze at Wyatt was filled with several sharp daggers. Wyatt seemed oblivious, "I’d like sweet and sour ribs for dinner, is that okay?" President Hawthorne, are you crazy? Claire Carson glanced at the clearly stunned Serena standing at her spot. Then looked at Wyatt sitting in the leather chair, seemingly innocent as if it was just a casual question. In a flash of insight, many thoughts came to her. Why, when Serena came for her interview at the company, he looked displeased yet decided to give the project department everyone a double bonus, and she received five times. Why her suggested team-building activity was deemed inadequate and replaced with a stay at The Springs Resort. Why he didn’t show up on the team-building day but took Serena along when leaving. After all, this wasn’t something she should hear or know. But the gossip was too big, leaving her mind blank, not even knowing what the right reaction should be. After the brief silence, Claire Carson swiftly picked up her laptop, opened the conference room door with lightning speed, and dashed out. Finally, the others seemed to react, pushing and shoving each other. In the blink of an eye, the people in the conference room scattered entirely. Not even in the corridor was anyone left. Finally finding her voice, Serena was momentarily unsure how to address him. Call him President Hawthorne? But Wyatt’s earlier words were his punishment for calling him President Hawthorne? Roller wheels glided as she watched, wide-eyed, Wyatt rise and walk towards her. Serena had the urge to flee. But Wyatt, that madman! He dared to speak like that with so many people in the conference room. If she bolted, would he chase her all the way back to the project design department? By then, it wouldn’t just be the dozens from the conference room who knew. Her mind was a tangled mess, and when her hand was grabbed, Serena reflexively shook it off. Then she looked up, meeting Wyatt’s eyes filled with amusement. Wyatt casually leaned on the desk, pulling Serena into his embrace by holding her arm, "Whatever you’re thinking now won’t change anything." To clarify with colleagues, saying there’s nothing between them? From the moment Wyatt uttered the words about going home, she should have taken an Oscar and blocked him with an innocent face: President Hawthorne, what are you talking about? I don’t understand. Then rushed out the door. Once the act was over, even if anyone had a shocking doubt, they could only speculate internally. Giving Wyatt the chance to perform a second act. Now, even if she jumped into the Yellow River, she couldn’t wash it away. Moreover, couldn’t wash it away from the start. The familiar scent of fir drifted from his collar and cuffs. Recalling the message he had Una Hutton convey. In one night’s time, her panic completely ended. Serena let out a sigh, looked up at Wyatt, "Wyatt, thank you for yesterday! Whatever you want me to do to thank you, I can. But as for us..." Wyatt leaned in for a kiss, interrupting the words Serena wanted to say.