Chapter 93: A new office

When they reached the executive floor, Theron led her down a quiet corridor. He stopped in front of a spacious office situated beside his own.

He opened the door.

Elowen stepped inside and looked around in surprise.

The room was larger. Tall windows allowed natural light to flood the interior. A comfortable desk stood near the windows, accompanied by an ergonomic chair.

There was a small sofa in one corner, a private washroom, and shelves that could accommodate her design files and materials. A separate meeting table occupied the far side of the room.

Everything looked elegant, comfortable, and thoughtfully arranged.

Elowen had never thought she would have her own office. She turned towards him, surprise and disbelief mixing on her face.

"Mr. Knox... what’s all this?"

"Your new workspace."

"But why?"

"Because you would be more comfortable here," he replied. "You will have everything here. You won’t have to go to the common restroom and wait in a queue. You have a private one here. And if you don’t feel well, you can reach out to me. I am right next door."

He took a step toward her. "I don’t want another incident like yesterday to happen."

His words touched her. Elowen didn’t know how to thank him. She looked around again, feeling a little out of place.

"This is too much. My previous workplace was perfectly fine. I don’t need such a large room."

"Elowen, you nearly collapsed yesterday. The doctor advised you to rest and avoid unnecessary strain. I don’t want you exhausting yourself because of work. Here, you can take a rest whenever you need."

"I’m feeling better now."

"That doesn’t mean you should ignore what happened."

She sighed. "You rearrange the entire office for me. I don’t know what to say."

"I’m not doing this for the sake of appearances." His voice softened. "You are handling one of the most important projects in the company. I need you to be comfortable enough to do your job properly."

Elowen looked at him, listening.

"Your previous workspace is in the middle of a busy department. People come and go constantly. There are frequent interruptions, and you often have to walk between meeting rooms and the design section. This office will give you more privacy and a quieter environment."

He gestured towards the sofa.

"If you feel tired, you don’t have to remain seated at your desk. You can lie down and take a nap. And if you need to discuss something with me, my office is just next door. You won’t have to walk across the entire floor."

Elowen hesitated. "But people might think I’m receiving special treatment. They are already suspecting me. If they find out that you have arranged a separate office for me, they won’t stop talking. I don’t want anyone speculating about us."

Theron gave a small smile. "People will always have something to say. If I let every rumor dictate how I manage this company, I wouldn’t be able to make a single decision."

He took another step toward her, his gaze turning earnest. "I’ve already explained to everyone how important you are to me and the company."

He wanted to tell her that he loved her, that he could do anything for her, and that he could never put a price on having her near him. But he suppressed the urge.

"You are my savior. I owe this life to you. Anything I do for you is never enough."

She couldn’t help but smile faintly.

"And don’t think I’m repaying your favor. No... It’s a practical arrangement for an important member of my team. Your responsibilities haven’t changed, and neither have my expectations of your work."

He paused before adding, "I want the best from you. But at the same time, I want to make sure you are taken care of. If you feel unwell, you should stop working and inform me immediately. I don’t want yesterday’s incident repeated."

She lowered her gaze, touched by his consideration.

Theron had thought of things she hadn’t even considered. He wasn’t asking her to stop working or treating her as though she were incapable. He was simply making it easier for her to continue without putting too much pressure on herself.

"I appreciate your concern," she said. "But I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of your kindness."

"I’ve never thought that." His answer came without hesitation. "You’ve earned your position, Elowen. You don’t have to prove yourself by working until you are exhausted."

She finally conceded. "All right. I’ll use this office. But please don’t go to too much trouble for me."

Theron smiled. "Then we are settled."

He walked towards the door connecting the office area to his own. "If you need anything, just let me know."

"Thank you, Mr. Knox."

He gave her one last reassuring look before stepping out.

The moment the door closed, his smile slowly changed. Everything was exactly where he wanted it.

Her office was beside his. Her schedule would reach him every morning. Her meals and breaks would be arranged, and he would know immediately if she felt unwell.

The new partition would allow him to keep an eye on her without making her feel as though she was being watched. He had given her a comfortable workspace and a reasonable explanation for every arrangement.

She had accepted it without suspicion.

Theron glanced through the glass towards her office.

Elowen was already examining the desk and arranging her belongings.

A faint smile touched his lips.

’You can call it gratitude, Elowen. You can call it a concern. But I’ll make sure nothing happens to you while you are under my watch.’

He returned to his office, unusually satisfied.

There was no need to rush things. As long as she felt comfortable around him, she would gradually become accustomed to having him nearby. And that was exactly what he wanted.

At Soren’s office...

Soren was in the middle of a meeting when his phone screen lit up. He glanced down and saw a message from Tahlia. His eyebrows drew together.

’Why is she texting me?’

Just as he was wondering, another message arrived.

The executives seated around the table turned toward him.

Soren turned his phone face down. "Carry on."

The meeting resumed.

His phone kept vibrating. Soren tried to ignore it, but his curiosity grew. He finally picked it up.

The moment he checked the messages, he stiffened in his place. His eyes were glued to the screen, his jaw clenching so tightly that the veins in his neck stood out.

There were photographs of Elowen with Theron.