Better Late, But Never His Again novel Chapter 32

That was Hazel's immediate impression. Dr. Queenie Finch was also taken aback and quickly hurried forward to greet him.

"Mr. Thornton, what brings you here personally? Please, come in, I'll have someone prepare..."

Marcus raised a hand to cut her off, his voice slow and deliberate.

"No need to fuss, Academician Finch. Just assign someone random to show me around."

As he spoke, he pointed a finger casually.

That long, elegant finger pointed flawlessly and directly at Hazel, accompanied by a playful drawl.

"Her, then."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment as everyone's eyes darted to Hazel.

Someone gasped audibly, and the team exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes flashing with shock and confusion.

Evelyn's complexion paled. Why would he single Hazel out to give him a tour in front of everyone?

He must have just pointed randomly. It had to be a coincidence, she desperately consoled herself.

Hazel didn't protest, merely giving a polite nod with a respectful, distant tone. "Right away, Mr. Thornton. Please follow me."

She turned and headed toward the second floor, leading the way for Marcus.

Marcus followed closely behind her, the smirk on his lips growing more pronounced.

Whispers began to break out behind them.

"Who exactly is Hazel? Why did Mr. Thornton personally pick her?"

"Why didn't he ask Team Leader Vance? Didn't she secure the investment?"

"Who knows..."

Evelyn forced a smile, her voice painfully sweet.

"Everyone, let's get back to work. I already gave Mr. Thornton all the key details yesterday, so he probably just wanted someone less familiar with the administration to show him the rest of the labs."

She paused, her smile growing overly affectionate. "Who knows, maybe next time he'll pick one of you."

The narrative was instantly redirected.

The murmurs shifted to debates about who Marcus would choose next.

Only Evelyn knew just how painfully stiff the smile on her face truly was.

...

His stare felt heavy and deliberate, stirring a sudden sense of unease within her. She swallowed hard, waiting for him to speak.

Marcus's eyes continued their descent, finally landing on her collar.

He arched a brow slightly, his thin lips parting as his magnetic voice hovered just above her head.

"Dr. Garrison, is this how your institute entertains guests?"

He flicked his finger lightly, prompting Hazel to look down, and her entire body stiffened in mortification.

One of the buttons on the blouse she wore under her lab coat had come undone.

The cropped blouse fastened at the back, a design she frequently cursed as utterly impractical. It was always a struggle to put on, and sometimes the buttons popped open if she didn't secure them tightly enough.

She never expected such a wardrobe malfunction to happen in front of Marcus.

It was... incredibly inappropriate.

A faint flush of crimson instantly bloomed across her cheeks.

"Apologies," she managed to say, steadying her voice as she reached up to tuck the collar back in.

Before her hand could even graze the fabric, she was gently lifted slightly off the floor.