Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 31

The team members gathered around with shining eyes, their excited chatter rising and falling.

"I'm going to be so much more motivated to run experiments now."

Evelyn Vance stood at the front of the crowd with a faint smile on her face, listening to the praise without denying a word of it.

Hazel Garrison stood a short distance away, watching the scene in complete silence.

She knew exactly where this new equipment had come from.

That night in Marcus Thornton's private lounge, the contract she had signed included this very batch of supplies.

But she didn't step forward to take the credit, feeling there was no need.

Evelyn's gaze drifted through the crowd and landed on Hazel, the smile on her lips deepening.

No one was going to find out anyway.

Hardly anyone here had attended the banquet that night, except for Hazel, but what did that matter?

She was just an ordinary team member who had recently returned to the lab; there was no way she had the power to secure an investment from Apex Holdings.

Evelyn leaned toward the assumption that Julian Hayes had pulled some strings in the dark for her, perhaps striking a deal with Marcus.

She didn't care about the details, though, as this assumption only bolstered her confidence.

Looking at Hazel, she instinctively straightened her posture.

With her, Julian's unforgettable first love, in the picture, there was absolutely no way he could ever fall for a useless woman like Hazel.

She walked over, a friendly smile plastered on her face.

"Hazel, next time I'll take you to meet Mr. Thornton. Who knows, maybe if you tag along with me, we can secure an even bigger investment."

As soon as the words left her mouth, a deep, magnetic voice suddenly echoed from the entrance.

"Is that so?"

Hazel certainly didn't believe it herself.

A ruthless corporate shark who had dominated the business world for years like Marcus could never be fooled by a few flimsy words.

Hazel had no idea what his real motives were, but it didn't matter. Their relationship was strictly professional, and she didn't anticipate any deeper involvement in the future.

Evelyn quickly adjusted her expression, lowering her head slightly as she spoke in a soft, respectful tone.

"Mr. Thornton."

Marcus's gaze swept lightly over her face without lingering for even a second before he continued walking inside.

As he passed Hazel, his footsteps faltered for a moment.

Those dark, narrow eyes settled on her, and the corners of his lips curled upward into a faint smirk.

It was a smile laced with amusement and deep implication, resembling a lazy fox with wicked intentions.