?Chapter 3162:
The elevator doors had nearly closed when a foot wedged itself between them.
Ernest’s brow furrowed as his gaze dropped.
A woman stood there in standard business attire.
His eyes flicked to her name tag. “Bethany Dixon?”
“Yes!” Recognition shed across Bethany’s face the moment she looked up and saw who was inside. She froze. “Mr. Flynn.”
“Have you started working here?”
“Yes, sir.” Bethany nodded eagerly. “Started two days ago.”
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“I see.” Ernest’s gaze dropped again to her foot still wedged in the doorway.
He reminded her, “This is the executive elevator. CEO only.”
Only Ernest himself, his executive assistants, his secretaries, and his security detail had clearance.
“Oh God.” Bethany felt a slight chill of embarrassment and quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, I just started working here and didn’t know—”
Ernest’s expression stayed neutral. He just gestured toward the lobby. “Please step back.”
Hearing what he said, Bethany blinked, caught off guard by his calm tone.
Ernest’s eyes sharpened slightly, an unspokenmand.
“Right! Yes, of course!” Bethany jerked her foot back, stumbling slightly. “Sorry again, Mr. Flynn.”
Once she’d cleared the doorway, Ernest pressed the button.
The doors slid shut without another word.
Bethany stood in the lobby, slightly dazed.
Had she just pissed off the CEO on her third day?
Ernest hade inter than usual this morning—he’d made a stop on the way.
He went straight to his private lounge, shrugged off his suit jacket, and pulled a small velvet box from his inside pocket.
The box was small, expensive-looking. Inside sat an emerald engagement ring.
He’dmissioned this ring months ago with a proposal in mind. But then Elissa’s ident had happened, and he’d never gotten around to picking it up—until today.
He crossed to the wardrobe and opened it. At the bottom sat a small safe.
Ernest crouched, keyed in the code, and set the ring carefully inside before locking it again.
That afternoon, after hours of shopping, Hadley and Colleen dropped Elissa off at Flynn Group headquarters.
The car pulled up to the main entrance. Elissa grabbed her bag and climbed out. “Thanks for today.”
“Anytime.” Hadley waved from the passenger seat. “Don’t rush home tonight—I’ve got everything covered.”
“You’re the best.” Elissa smiled and headed toward the gleaming ss doors.
She’d been here enough times now that the staff recognized her on sight. Ernest had made sure of that—even though they weren’t officially married yet, everyone knew who she was.
“Miss Hond.”
“Miss Hond.”
“Hi.” Elissa returned their greetings warmly.
The receptionist knew the drill by now but asked anyway, “Heading up on your own today?”
“Yes.”
“Right this way.”
Elissa followed the familiar path to the elevator bank.
The executive elevator was currently somewhere high above.
She pressed the call button and waited for it to descend.
A few feet away stood the employee elevators.
Bethany stood there with a coworker, both of them clutching thick folders, waiting for the next car.
While they waited, they talked.
“God, this morning I was running sote I literally ran into the executive elevator…” Bethanyunched into the story, grimacing. “Mr. Flynn looked pretty annoyed. I think he thought I was being disrespectful.”
“Oh, don’t stress about it.” Her colleagueughed. “Mr. Flynn’s just particr about protocol. But upset? Nah. Trust me, he doesn’t get worked up over anything.”
“Really?” Bethany looked skeptical. “You’re sure?”
Was the CEO really that unppable? Never showed emotion about anything?
“I’m serious.” Her colleague’s expression turned earnest. “You’re still new. You’ll figure it out.”
So it was actually true?
Curiosity sparked in Bethany’s eyes. “With everyone? There’s really no one who gets special treatment?”
Her colleague shot her a curious look. “Wait, you haven’t heard?”
“Heard what?”
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