The Unveiled Rose
Chapter 116

Zane's cold gaze turned sharp, and the lightness in his voice vanished.

"I finally get why she chose to leave you," he said.

That was also what Steven failed to understand. At that time, Annalise wasn't in a particularly good state, so it would've been better for her to stay with him. However, she was determined to divorce him. Steven pretended to be indifferent about it. "Oh, you do?" he blurted.

"Although I only started spending time with her not long ago, I know she isn't the kind of woman who forsakes her dignity and honor," said Zane. "Therefore, she must have her reasons for betraying you." Steven stared at Zane, astonished.

Zane continued, "But you chose to give me all this information when she had a better choice."

He looked directly into Steven's eyes and asked, "So, tell me. Are you afraid she'll get together with me?"

Steven fell quiet, to which Zane speculated, "Do you still love her?"

Without any hesitation, Steven shook his head and said, "Of course, I don't! Quit joking!"

"That's good." Zane was content with Steven's answer.

On the other hand, Steven started feeling unsettled after hearing Zane's response.

Zane sensed something off with Steven but didn't say anything about it. He simply assumed that the topic of conversation had come to an end.

Taking out a file and placing it on the table, he said, "Tell me what your company's needs are."

...

Someone knocked at the door. Lifting my head, I said, "Come in."

With a folder, Eric walked over, stopped right before me, and asked, "Can I get your number?"

I had no idea why he would have such a request, but I still gave him my number.

After adding each other's numbers, he sat opposite me and tapped the screen several times before telling me, "I've sent you the number of the editor overseeing your work. Remember to add her."

I looked at my phone. The editor's name was Yvonne Frost.

After I sent her an invite on WhatsApp, Eric said, "You can ask her if you have any questions regarding your work in the future. You can call me if she can't settle the problem for you."

I was a little surprised to learn that he was concerned about that. "Okay," I said.

Eric then told me he was worried I would run into some work-related problems yet couldn't replace anyone to help me. He thought I might end up bottling up my emotions and bearing all the pressure alone, so he briefed me on what I could ask Yvonne for help with. I nodded from time to time to show my understanding and told him that I got it after he was done talking.

After that, he looked at the door and, after making sure that Zane wasn't coming here, lowered his voice and asked, "What do you think of our boss?"

Was he talking about Zane?

After running the question through my mind, I answered, "He's a generous and approachable boss?"

Eric looked hesitant. "Just... a boss?"

Without giving it a second thought, I responded with, "What else could he be?"

Eric fell silent. He thought, "These days, Zane acted like he wanted to take Annalise wherever he went. How could she still see him as merely a superior? Can't she be bolder and more ambitious?" "What do you want to tell me?" I asked after seeing that look on Eric's face. He seemed like he wanted to say something, but the words got stuck in his throat.

Eric wouldn't tell me about it, though. Instead, he said, "I thought you'd see him as a friend at least."

I found it rather amusing. "If he thinks I'm his friend, then we probably are."

Eric lifted an eyebrow. Did that mean Zane took the lead in their relationship?

Questions nagged at Eric's mind, but considering we weren't close, he could only swallow his words.

After some time, he mustered the courage and told me, "Let me add you to a group chat. It's for the staff to gossip about whatever happens in our company." Humans were social creatures, after all! The more we chatted, the closer we got. By then, Eric could be frank and ask me what was on his mind.