Chapter 30 Colin Harris

Streetlights cast clusters of light into the car, where Eleanor, drowsy from drinks, fought the urge to fall into a deeper slumber, aware she was in Aaron's vehicle. Her eyelids drooped heavily, and she leaned weakly against the door.

Out of nowhere, Aaron's voice broke the silence, ethereal, as if not quite real. "So, you're seeing Edward now?" His words jolted Eleanor awake.

The car smoothly entered a residential area.

Her heart pounded erratically as she considered lying—admitting. Yet she couldn't stand against the years of Aaron's influence over her. Her response was muffled and unclear, "Edward...he's been kind to me."

A soft chuckle rose from Aaron's throat. Eleanor wasn't sure if she had misheard. Without turning back, she pulled the car door open, stepped out, and noticed her white slippers—she was close to tears.

After Eleanor had gone upstairs, Aaron moved to the back seat and lit a cigarette.

He rolled down the window and exhaled a stream of smoke, his gaze lifting briefly to the now-lit window above. His eyes, cold and still, rippled ever so slightly.

Wesley arrived in a rush. "Aaron."

"Let's go."

Wesley slid into the driver's seat.

Driving away from the residential area, Aaron's voice, raspy from the cigarette, carried a dark tone, "Got a good memory, do ya?"

Wesley stiffened, thoughts instantly shifting to Ashton. Knowing Dr. Evans could not be trusted, he regretted sharing so much during their phone inquiry.

"Aaron, I messed up."

Aaron scoffed, "Quick to admit it. Starting tomorrow, you're front desk for a week. Have Blake shadow me instead."

Wesley felt a cold sweat break out. He knew his genteel looks were appealing, and the female employees who couldn't reach Aaron made their interests known to him. Out of respect for Aaron's presence, they kept their distance, but at the front desk, wouldn't he be chased around by those sirens?

The mere idea made Wesley shudder as he hastily pleaded, "Aaron, I really understand my mistake."

"Two weeks."

"Aaron, I—"

"One month."

Wesley fell silent.

...

The next day, Eleanor ran into Vincent while waiting for the elevator.

No wonder Nora often said Vincent's style was getting more like hers. Eleanor had worn a new, Chinese-style dress with a cardigan just the day before yesterday, and today Vincent appeared in something similar.

She remembered Vincent's style was different when she first arrived at the company, and in just under three weeks, she had changed.

Vincent was wearing heels, slightly taller than the flat-shoed Eleanor. "You look refreshed today, Eleanor. No nightmares last night, I hope?"
Eleanor looked at the flickering digits in front of her. The gloves were off after last night's confrontation; there was no need for niceties anymore. "Only those with a guilty conscience have nightmares, Director Thompson. Maybe you should take a look in the mirror."

Vincent scoffed. "Guess it's your sharp tongue that caught Aaron's attention?"

"It's a gift, Director Thompson..." Eleanor paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping over her own attire, a smile playing on her lips. "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but some things just can't be mimicked."

The elevator dinged. They had arrived.

Eleanor stepped aside, "After you, Director Thompson."

Vincent's scowl flipped to a grin in a split second. As he stepped out, his casual smirk seemed filled with meaning. "Don't get too comfortable. In less than a month, I'll be your second sister-in-law."

Back at her desk, it wasn't long before Nora came sprinting over from the break room, coffee in hand. "Eleanor, did you blow the deal last night?"

Nora, having snagged the latest office gossip, had rushed back to her.

After hearing a rough outline of how things had gone down, Nora was so furious she slapped the desk. "That sleazebag should be taken down a peg!"

The phone rang, and Eleanor answered. It was a call from the CEO's office.

"Miss Patterson, Mr. Patterson would like to see you."

After hanging up, Nora's face was lined with worry. "Eleanor, do you think Mr. Pattereson will hold you accountable? I feel so helpless, especially after how much you've done for me."

"Why panic?" Eleanor's demeanor was calm and confident, showing no sign of stress. "We'll find out soon enough. Don't be scared."

Just like she thought last night, if the company were to blame her for this, she was better off without them anyway.

Exiting the elevator, Eleanor reported her arrival at the secretary's office, who pointed towards the CEO's office and said, "Three knocks will do."

Staring at the gleaming 'CEO Office' sign, a wave of nervousness washed over Eleanor—not about the botched deal, but about meeting Colin Harris.

He wasn't just any executive; he was the elusive Harris family's eldest son, the ever-serious Colin Harris. Unlike other bosses, he didn't go easy on the female staff. Mistakes were treated with impartiality, regardless of gender. Eleanor remembered seeing him from a distance once—ever solemn, never once had she seen him smile.
At thirty-one, rumors swirled about him favoring the company of men, for he seemed untouched by the allure of women.

Eleanor rapped on the door three times before a rich, deep voice from within beckoned, "Come in."

The office of Colin Harris was a study in minimalism, its monochrome palette of grays and blacks exuding a cool detachment.

Without lingering on the decor, Eleanor made her way to the spacious desk. "Mr. Patterson."

The man before her was reviewing documents, his nose adorned with gold-rimmed glasses. The dark gray suit he wore projected an air of mature stability. From Eleanor's perspective, his nose was sharp, his lips neither too full nor too thin.

"Sit," Hanlin commanded, not bothering to look up.

Circling to her chair, Eleanor sat quietly, patiently waiting for him to finish his review.

After a few minutes, perhaps remembering her presence, Hanlin's pen paused, and his Phoenix eyes—strikingly attractive—flicked over her face. "You didn't get hurt last night, did you?"

The question wasn't the icebreaker Eleanor had anticipated.

She shook her head. "My friend arrived in time."

Removing his glasses, Hanlin said, "Edward filled me in."

Eleanor was stunned.

Wait a second!

Colin Harris, Edward?

Did they share a family connection?

Reading her thoughts, Hanlin clarified, "Edward is my cousin. He took our aunt's surname."

"So, you're brothers."

Edward had never mentioned it. He was even more discreet than Grayson.

Hanlin offered reassurance, "I didn't ask you here to reprimand you. Even without Edward speaking on your behalf, I think you handled yourself admirably. In the face of unspoken rules, it's courageous to say no as you did."

She felt a twinge of embarrassment at his praise.

Was he praising her? The busy CEO like him surely had more pressing matters.

Her hunch was quickly confirmed.

"The collaboration with Thompsongtian Group wasn't rejected by them, we turned it down. A company that harbors such employees doesn't deserve our partnership. There's a new project—think you can handle it?"

Hanlin passed her a file.

Eleanor realized that any project from his hands was a prime opportunity. He was the boss and likely knew of her recent string of unsuccessful ventures. This was his way of offering help at just the right moment.

Surely it was to some extent for Edward's sake.

She accepted the file with both hands, flipping it open and taking a deep, silent breath.

It was a partnership with Quinn Corporation.