The Red String Between Us: Part III Eternal Thread

第28章 Introductions and Tensions

     The soft hum of the office was interrupted by a polite knock. Eden looked up from her laptop and saw Riston stepping through the doorway, slightly flustered but still composed.

"Sorry I'm late," he said, offering a professional smile. "Traffic and client calls... you know how it is."

Eden nodded, gesturing toward the conference room. "No worries, Riston. Let's get started. Kenji will be joining us shortly for the formal introductions."

A few minutes later, Kenji walked into the office, calm and commanding as always. He shook Riston's hand firmly, a warm smile bridging personal and professional.

"Riston, welcome aboard," Kenji said smoothly. "Eden has already briefed me, but I look forward to seeing your approach firsthand."

Riston returned the handshake confidently. "Thank you, sir. I'm eager to get started."

The three of them moved into the conference room, where Kenji observed Eden and Riston discuss metrics, client accounts, and strategic goals. He offered insights sparingly, allowing Eden to lead, but his presence was enough to elevate the discussion, drawing respect from Riston and subtle admiration from the team.

Hours later, back in her office, Eden leaned back in her chair, scanning her schedule and trying to order lunch. She reached for her wallet—and froze. Her card wasn't where she thought it was. Frustrated, she dumped the contents of her purse across her desk, sorting receipts, pens, notebooks—and inadvertently exposing her massive engagement ring, its facets catching the light in dazzling flashes.

Before she could react further, a knock came at her door. "Eden, may I come in?" Mallory asked, her tone brisk yet polite.

"Of course," Eden replied, beginning to gather the items from her desk.

Mallory stepped in and took a seat, her eyes scanning the office casually. Then her gaze flicked to the scattered contents of Eden's purse. She paused, her attention caught by the glint of Eden's diamond ring and the sleek platinum credit card lying nearby. Eden's heart skipped; she quickly reached and slid everything back into her purse, catching Mallory's curious and subtly calculating look.

"Everything alright?" Mallory asked smoothly, a hint of curiosity—and perhaps intrigue—threaded in her tone.

"Yes, just a little messy today," Eden replied lightly, masking her reaction. She forced a smile, though inside she was keenly aware of the small shift in Mallory's attention.

The moment hung there briefly, charged with unspoken recognition. Eden cleared her throat and returned to her work, determined not to give Mallory anything more to scrutinize.

Outside, the office buzzed as usual, but for Eden, the day had suddenly gained a new edge of tension—one that came not from clients or schedules, but from proximity, observation, and subtle power plays.