Chapter 85 A Seat at the Table
Evelyn tilted her head slightly, her expression composed.
“I wasn’t aware the company’s code of conduct includes addressing the CEO so… informally.”
Her voice was not loud, yet it carried enough quiet authority to settle between them.
For a brief second, the air shifted.
Then Amelia scoffed, letting out a soft laugh.
“How formal,” she said lightly, though her eyes sharpened.
“You’ll find Sinclair Industries isn’t always that rigid.”
She shifted her weight, crossing one arm loosely.
“I’ve worked with Mr. Sinclair for years,” she continued smoothly. “Some habits tend to stick.”
Evelyn held her gaze, unmoved.
“I see,” she said calmly. “Then you should also know when to maintain them.”
Something flickered across Amelia’s face quickly.
The elevator continued its steady ascent, the quiet hum filling the brief silence between them.
Amelia recovered quickly, her bright expression returning as though nothing had happened.
“I can see you’ll adjust just fine here,”
she said, her tone light again. “Most people would feel overwhelmed walking in on their first day.”
Her gaze swept over Evelyn from head to toe, lingering just a second too long.
“Especially… under these circumstances.”
Evelyn did not look away.
“Which circumstances would those be?”
Amelia tilted her head slightly, as if choosing her words carefully.
“Entering a company like this while Mr. Sinclair is away can be… complicated,” she said gently.
“Especially when you don’t have prior experience in this environment.”
Her eyes lifted again, meeting Evelyn’s directly.
“There are expectations here. Dynamics that have been built over years. It takes time to understand them.”
Evelyn’s expression remained steady.
“Then I suppose I’ll learn.”
Amelia’s lips curved deeper.
“Of course. I’m sure you will.”
She paused, as if remembering something.
“Though I was a little surprised,” she added lightly.
Evelyn waited, already growing impatient.
“Given how close Roman—”
“Mr. Sinclair,” Evelyn corrected smoothly.
Amelia’s brows drew together slightly.
Evelyn smiled faintly.
“As his wife, and as someone who works under him, I believe it’s important to maintain a certain level of professionalism. I may have to remind you of that from time to time.”
For the first time, Amelia’s smile completely faltered.
It returned almost immediately, but it no longer reached her eyes.
“Given how open Mr. Sinclair has been with me, I assumed you would already be familiar with the situation surrounding his sabbatical. Since I am.”
She emphasized the words, hoping Evelyn would catch the implication.
“Would you like to hear it, Mrs. Sinclair?”
Evelyn felt the subtle attempt to provoke a reaction.
But she did not take the bait.
Instead, she let a small silence stretch between them, just enough to make the moment uncomfortable.
“I prefer to hear things directly from my husband,” she said calmly.
Her gaze remained steady.
“Not through any of his employees.”
Amelia's smile turned crooked. A cold glint flashed in her eyes.
"Of course," she replied. "That makes sense.”
The elevator slowed as it approached the upper floors.
Amelia’s hands curled slightly before she relaxed them again, her expression smoothing out.
‘What a difficult nut to crack,’ she thought, irritatedly. ‘But that’s fine… I enjoy a challenge.’
Beside her, Evelyn analyzed her quietly.
Now that she looked closely, Amelia was undeniably beautiful—soft, delicate features, clear skin, and carefully styled blonde hair that framed her face perfectly. There was a polished elegance to her, the kind that drew attention without effort.
Evelyn’s gaze lingered for a moment before she looked away.
‘And what exactly is her role,’ she wondered, a faint irritation settling in her chest, ‘to be this familiar with Roman?’
The elevator chimed softly.
The doors slid open to reveal a quiet hallway lined with polished wood panels and soft lighting that gave the entire floor a refined, almost private atmosphere.
For a while, neither of them moved.
Then Amelia stepped out first, turning gracefully.
“Your office is this way, Mrs. Sinclair,” she said, her tone noticeably more respectful now. “I’ll take you there.”
She walked ahead without waiting, her heels clicking softly against the floor.
Evelyn remained where she was before speaking.
“I thought you were taking me to where Leo was supposed to go.”
Amelia paused and glanced back at her, smiling.
“I am. The Special Strategic Advisor’s office is on this floor,” she said. “Right next to the acting CEO’s suite.”
Acting CEO.
Marcus.
Evelyn felt her heartbeat shift slightly, but her expression remained unchanged.
She stepped out of the elevator.
“Lead the way.”
—-
They walked down the corridor together, Amelia half a step ahead, completely at ease in the environment.
Glass-walled offices lined both sides of the hallway. Inside, employees moved efficiently, some in meetings, others working behind their desks. A few glanced up as they passed, their eyes lingering for a little while.
Evelyn noticed. She took everything in silently. The layout, atmosphere, and the people.
Amelia stopped at a set of double doors near the end of the hall.
“Here we are.”
She pushed one open.
Evelyn stepped inside, and paused.
The office was larger than she had expected.
Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across one wall, offering a sweeping view of the city below. A large desk sat at the center, neatly arranged, with a seating area off to the side and a smaller conference table near the windows.
Fresh flowers rested on the desk.
A laptop had already been set up.
Everything was… prepared.
Amelia watched her reaction carefully.
“Mr. Sinclair’s instructions were quite detailed,” she said. “He seems to want you comfortable.”
Evelyn walked further in, her fingers brushing lightly against the back of a chair.
“Of course,” she said simply. “He’s my husband.”
She turned back toward Amelia.
“Thank you for bringing me here. I’ll take it from here.”
Amelia’s smile remained, though her eyes had cooled.
“Sure. If you need anything—”
"I don't think I will.” Evelyn said politely, but the words remained firm.
Amelia gave a small nod and turned, her heels clicking away down the hall.
Evelyn waited until the sound faded before letting out a slow breath.
“Well… that was something.”
She turned back toward the office, her gaze settling on the desk.
She walked over and picked up the nameplate.
EVELYN SINCLAIR
Special Strategic Advisor to the Chairman
Her fingers traced the letters slowly.
This was real. She had just stepped into his world.
A sharp knock on the door broke her thoughts.
“Come in,” she said, setting the nameplate down.
The door opened, and a young man in a fitted suit stepped in, holding a tablet.
“Mrs. Sinclair,” he greeted respectfully. “The executive board is currently in session. Your presence has been requested.”
Evelyn straightened slightly.
“Already?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She gave a small nod.
“Alright. Lead the way.”
—
As they approached the conference room, voices filtered through the closed doors.
“I don’t agree with this at all!”
"How can Roman just send his trophy wife to the company! This is unprecedented!"
Another voice joined in. "She has no experience! No track record! What is he thinking?"
Evelyn’s steps slowed slightly.
Her heart stuttered, but she steadied her breath.
This was expected.
The assistant beside her gave her a brief apologetic look.
Evelyn offered him a small, reassuring smile.
He stepped aside. But before she could open the door, another voice cut through the chaos calmly.
"Gentlemen, let's be calm." A pause. "Roman is still young. He might think this is just a family business where anyone can be placed in a position. Let her—"
Evelyn pushed the door open.
Inside, the room fell silent almost instantly.
Every head turned. Every gaze locked onto her.
One man let out a quiet snort.
“So this is her,” he muttered. “The trophy wife.”