?Chapter 1315:


    As work consumed her focus, the difort faded.


    The meeting wrapped up, and as anticipated, the draft required revisions.


    Both teams shared constructive feedback, and Elissa diligently recorded the changes needed.


    Before she realized it, it was midday.


    The Flynn Group’s representative nced at their watch and grinned. “It’s gottente. Why don’t we grab lunch in our cafeteria?”


    “That sounds nice,” Elissa agreed, joining them.


    By now, the ache in her stomach had only intensified.


    It was a self-serve cafeteria. Elissa grabbed a tray and made her way toward the forming queue.


    The Flynn Group’s cafeteria didn’t serve anything fancy, but the food was good enough, and lunchtime always drew a crowd.


    As she stepped into line, Elissa’s eyes drifted to the man ahead. Something about the shape of his shoulders gave her pause.


    Even from behind, he seemed oddly familiar.


    “Mr. Flynn?” Elissa’s voice came out before she could stop it. She couldn’t bring herself to act like she hadn’t seen him. The man turned. And just as she suspected, it was Ernest.


    “You eat here?” she asked, blinking in disbelief.


    “Should I not?” Ernest arched a brow. “It’s the Flynn Group’s cafeteria. I work here too, don’t I?”


    He said it like he was no different from anyone else in the building.


    “Fair enough.” Elissa chuckled. With the tray bnced in one hand, her other hand dropped absentmindedly to her belly.


    Ernest’s expression changed. He eyed her carefully. “Are you alright? You look a little off.”<fn7999> ?????? ???? FιndNovel</fn7999>


    That threw her. Elissa hadn’t expected him to notice something so small.


    She smiled and nodded her head. “I’m fine, really.”


    For starters, they didn’t have that kind of closeness between them.


    And besides, what was she supposed to say? That her period was on the way? Not exactly a conversation between a man and a woman who were merely acquaintances.


    Ernest didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t ask more.


    Instead, he stepped aside and gestured toward his spot. “Go ahead. I’ll switch ces with you.”


    “You don’t have to—”


    “It’s not a big deal,” said Ernest, already moving behind her. “One step forward isn’t breaking rules or stepping on toes.”


    “Thanks… I appreciate it.” Elissa gave a quick nod, but then her face went still.


    “Elissa?” Ernest reached over and steadied her by the arm. “Something’s wrong. Just tell me where it hurts.”


    Elissa hesitated, heat rising to her cheeks.


    A sudden, familiar sensation confirmed it—her period had definitely started.


    There was no chance she could just say that outright, though.


    A wave of embarrassment and overwhelm washed over her. Of all the possible moments, it had to hit now—right in the middle of the Flynn Group, with not a single female colleague in sight and her supervisor being a man on top of that.


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