<h4>Chapter 482: Workce Gossip</h4>


    The young teacher knelt down with a warm smile, her face radiating kindness. "Hello, little ones! You must be the new students. Which one of you is Elias, and which one is Dorian?"


    Little Elias quickly raised his hand. "Pretty teacher, I’m Dorian!"


    Dorian blinked, about to speak, when Elias leaned in close to his brother’s ear. "This teacher is so fun. Don’t say anything. Let’s see if she can figure out who’s who!"


    Dorian pursed his lips, hesitating. Elias quickly added a tempting offer: "I’ll give you my share of snacks tonight if you stay quiet!"


    Though their voices weren’t loud, the teacher heard them clearly. She smiled knowingly and looked warmly at Dorian.


    Eyeing the teacher and thinking about the promised snack, Dorian obediently closed his mouth.


    "Let me guess," the teacher said with a soft chuckle. "This little one with the mole on his brow must be Elias. Lying isn’t a good habit, Elias!"


    She gently took Dorian’s small hand. "And you’re Dorian, aren’t you?"


    Dorian blinked but remained resolutely silent.


    "Teacher, I’m Dorian, okay? Teacher, I want water, and I need to go potty!" Elias shouted loudly.


    The teacher nodded patiently. "Alright,e with me. I’ll show you where the restroom is."


    Dorian followed quietly, while Elias eagerly scanned the curious faces of their new ssmates.


    Among the group, several adorable little girls, about four or five years old, were whispering and pointing. One eximed loudly, "Those two boys are so handsome!"


    "I’m going to make friends with them. Don’t you dare!" another dered.


    "No way! I’m going first!" the other shot back.


    On their first day at school, Elias and Dorian became instant stars, adored by teachers and ssmates alike. However, some of the boys were less weing. A few felt jealous, realizing that Elias and Dorian’s arrival meant they were no longer the center of attention.


    One particrly frustrated boy resorted to pushing and shoving. But despite being a year or two younger, little Elias—the tiny troublemaker—soon had the older boys crying after outwitting them.


    Dorian, meanwhile, was much calmer. As long as he had snacks, he was perfectly content.


    When a boy tried to snatch Dorian’s apple, the little foodie grabbed the offender’s ear and tugged hard, leaving the boy wailing. A teacher rushed over to mediate, overwhelmed by the chaos.


    Between Elias’s mischief and Dorian’s unrelenting appetite, the brothers left their teacherspletely frazzled on the very first day of school!


    ...


    Meanwhile, back at LXL Entertainment, E was easing into her new role. After a four-year break, her memories of the workflow were starting toe back.


    Given her status, everyone treated her with the utmost respect. In her office, she flipped through a stack of scripts Amanda had delivered—rmendations from several of her close friends.


    Eric had assigned E a secretary, a sharp and capable woman in her thirties named Martinez. Tall, poised, and efficient, Secretary Martinez handled every task with impable organization.


    E was familiar with Martinez, who had worked at LXL for years. Back when E was an intern, Martinez had helped her manage files and assignments.


    As Martinez brought in coffee, she hesitated briefly, then spoke up. "Mrs. Nelson, I overheard something at the restroom earlier. I thought you should know."


    E nced up curiously. Martinez continued, her voice tinged with annoyance. "Some employees were gossiping about you. They said... that you only got the director position because of Mr. Nelson, and that youck... real capability."


    E listened and raised her eyebrows slightly, a faint, dismissive smile tugging at her lips. "Do you think I’m that kind of person?"


    "Of course not," Martinez replied.


    "Then that’s all that matters. Why bother caring about what others say?" E said nonchntly. "The younger generation is full of pride and spirit. Many of them believe they’re stars who’ve worked incredibly hard, but they don’t see the effort I’ve put in. So it’s natural for them to resent me stepping into this position. Let it be. Just pretend you didn’t hear anything."


    E spoke lightly, clearly uninterested in quarreling with thepany’s performers. Unless someone seriously crossed the line—defaming or ndering her directly—she saw no reason to engage.


    Martinez bit her lip. "Understood."


    She had only mentioned it out of frustration, but she hadn’t expected E to brush it off so casually.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. E looked up to see Eric striding in confidently. "It’s almost lunchtime, Miss E. Care to join me for a meal?"


    E couldn’t help but chuckle, and even Martinez stifled augh. ncing at the clock, it was already 11:45 a.m.


    "Mr. Nelson, leaving work early on your first day back? If the boss finds out, you might get into trouble," E teased with a smile. In truth, her stomach was already growling—perhaps she’d been too absorbed in her work.


    "The boss won’t give me trouble. If anything, I’ll take off your shoes for you at home tonight," Eric retorted, his wicked charm radiating from his devilishly handsome face.


    Martinez quickly bowed her head and exited, hiding a small grin.


    E nced at the coffee Martinez had brought her, but food sounded far more appealing at the moment.


    Before she could say anything, Eric swept her into his arms and kissed her passionately.


    E let out a soft gasp, but Eric’s desire only deepened. His hands began to roam, but she grabbed one of them. "Stop... I’m really hungry."


    "Then I’ll feed you," Eric teased with a wicked grin.


    "Eric!"


    E blushed furiously, and Eric finally let her go, his mischievous smile softening. "Even after having kids, you’re still so irresistible, my little temptress. Let’s go."


    E put herputer to sleep and followed him out.


    ...


    The LXL cafeteria was empty at this time of day.


    E and Eric sat in a private dining room, therge space reserved just for them.


    After cing their orders, the conversation naturally turned to Elias and Dorian.


    "I wonder if they’re adjusting well. Should I call to check on them?"


    E’s eyes softened as she spoke about the twins, her gaze full of maternal affection. Eric chuckled. "Don’t worry. Everyone at Little Prince Preschool is my person. Even though we hired the teachers externally, the staff is well-trained to keep an eye out."


    E blinked. "So, you’re saying... you can’t guarantee that one of those female teachers might not be a spy?"


    Eric’s expression darkened instantly. "I won’t allow anything like that to happen."


    E smiled but said nothing more. Eric was right—the staff was under his control, so if he wasn’t worried, why should she be?


    Still, she couldn’t shake the thought that some people, if determined to act, would find ways to exploit vulnerabilities.