I Chose Me Over My Marriage novel Chapter 41

"It doesn't matter what I think. What matters is what she thinks."

As he spoke, a fleeting shadow of loneliness crossed his eyes, a nuance the older woman caught instantly.

Both seemed weighed down by burdens they couldn't bear to let go.

The atmosphere grew thick with unspoken tension.

It only broke when the sound of footsteps echoed from upstairs, making them instinctively turn away.

Upstairs.

The young man paused, spotting the two of them in the foyer. He lowered his gaze, seeming to understand the weight of the moment.

But he quickly walked away.

The next day.

Since Chloe Thorne's newly rented apartment was quite a distance from the Sterling Group headquarters, Lyra left half an hour early.

The office was practically empty when she arrived.

She settled into her desk and immediately began drafting the contract.

By the time she finished the initial outline, her colleagues were trickling in, filling up the surrounding cubicles.

Director Lancaster was the last to walk in.

She scanned the room, her gaze locking onto Lyra. "Lyra," she said coolly. "In my office."

"On my way," Lyra replied, a brief, knowing smile playing on her lips.

It was finally happening.

Clearly, some people had zero patience.

She saved the drafted document, sent a copy directly to Silas Chambers's phone, and made sure to back up the file.

Only when her bases were fully covered did she stand up and head toward the director's office.

Lyra's smile vanished in an instant, replaced by a glacial stare.

"What does this have to do with you? I highly doubt you're the one I'm supposed to be reporting to on this matter."

Director Lancaster froze, momentarily caught off guard.

When she finally processed the sheer insubordination, her expression twisted. "Excuse me? What did you just say?"

Lyra intentionally raised her voice. "Oh, I'm just pointing out that upper management assigned this task directly to me. It has absolutely nothing to do with you, nor were you authorized to oversee it. Therefore, I have zero obligation to answer your questions."

She spoke loudly enough that anyone passing by the office could hear every word.

"Lyra!"

Director Lancaster slammed her hand against the desk and shot to her feet, glaring with unbridled fury.

"Keep your voice down! Do you want the whole floor to hear you?"

Under the woman’s furious glare, Lyra simply shook her head slowly.