?Chapter 343:


    “What’s up?” he asked.


    A spontaneous smile appeared on Ellie’s face as she proposed, “I’m inviting you to join a youthful New Year’s Eve celebration. Will youe?”


    Kaiden had grown notably sensitive to the term “youthful”tely. “Ellie, are you implying I’m old?” he teased, recalling how her principal had also made a simr hint that afternoon.


    Ellie quickly shook her head. “No, it’s just an invitation to celebrate New Year’s Eve together.”


    Kaiden eyed the mountain of paperwork on his desk, which would likely take another three hours to finish.


    With a hint of weariness, he replied, “Come to the office and wait for me.”


    Recalling her previous ufortable experiences with executives on the CEO’s office floor, Ellie declined, “I’d rather wait for you at the coffee shop downstairs.”


    Kaiden responded with a hint of sarcasm, “Ellie, you’re willing to wait for Howard but not for me?”


    “When did I ever wait for Howard?” Ellie wondered where he got such an idea.


    “Then join me as my interpreter,” Kaiden altered his request. Ellie was momentarily lost for words.


    Were there no interpreters avable? Wasn’t itmon knowledge that all of his secretaries spoke at least threenguages?


    But considering Laura’s earlier advice, Ellie paused before agreeing. She thought it wouldn’t hurt to go, especially since it was almost closing time. Surely, she wouldn’t be so unlucky as to run into any of the executives again!


    After all, why would any executive visit the CEO without a good reason?


    After hanging up, Kaiden summoned Bruce to his office and inquired, “How do young people celebrate the New Year?”


    Bruce looked confused, not understanding Kaiden’s choice of words. Feeling the need to point out the obvious, he reminded Kaiden, “You’re only twenty-seven, sir. You’re still young.”


    The remark lifted Kaiden’s spirits and deepened his appreciation for the subordinate who had loyally served him for so long.


    “Your end-of-year bonus is doubled,” Kaiden announced, feeling generous. Then he added, “I never bother with dull events like New Year’s Eve.”


    Bruce understood what Kaiden was trying to convey. Kaiden had never shown any interest in such events and had no idea how young people like Bruce celebrated.


    But why would Kaiden ask for opinions if he found the event boring?


    Bruce had many unspoken responses, but he kept them to himself.


    “There’s a variety of things to do. You could go to a concert with a huge crowd, visit amusement parks for fireworks, or head downtown to hear the New Year bells. Bars have countdown events too,” Bruce suggested.


    Kaiden considered his suggestions. Why would anyone enjoy being in a huge crowd at a concert? Weren’t fireworks something seen on asions other than New Year’s? What was the big deal about bell ringing? It was just a mechanical sound. And wasn’t visiting bars an everyday thing?


    Those suggestions were truly unexciting.


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