As they stepped outside, the luxury car parked outside Landon's house drew the attention of passersby. "Whoa, that's a nice car! Why is it parked outside our house?" Mei asked Evelyn, her curiosity piqued.
As they approached the car, Rachel greeted Evelyn with a neutral expression, her face a mask of professionalism. "Good morning, Ms. Evelyn," she said, her tone polite but reserved.
Mei looked at Rachel with a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Who is that, big sis? Do you know her?"
"I am Ms. Evelyn's secretary, Rachel," Rachel replied, her expression still neutral.
Mei's eyes widened in surprise. "Secretary?"
Evelyn intervened, "This is Mei, she'll be joining us today, Rachel."
Rachel's expression softened slightly as she smiled at Mei. "Nice to meet you, Mei."
Rachel opened the car door, and Evelyn gestured for Mei to enter. "Come inside, Mei."
Mei stepped into the car with a surprised look on her face, her eyes wide with wonder. The luxurious interior and sleek design of the vehicle seemed to catch her off guard, and she couldn't help but gaze around in awe.
Mei's eyes widened in surprise as she struggled to process the situation. "Big sis, your name is Evelyn, right?" she asked, seeking confirmation.
"Yeah, Evelyn Stone," Evelyn replied, her expression remaining neutral.
"Evelyn Stone, CEO of J&B?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.
Evelyn nodded as she replied, "That's me."
Mei's face lit up with disbelief. "I'm inside the car of the CEO of J&B! I can't believe it!" Her voice suddenly rose with excitement.
Evelyn's face broke into a brief smile, which Rachel caught through the center mirror's reflection.
As they entered the J&B premises, the employees couldn't help but stare at the trio. Many of them whispered to each other, their eyes fixed on Mei, wondering who she was and why she was walking alongside the CEO, Evelyn Stone, and her secretary, Rachel.
Mei's face grew increasingly awkward as she felt the weight of their attention. She wasn't comfortable being the center of attention and seemed to shrink under the scrutiny.
"Good morning, Ms. Evelyn," said Bart, a man in his mid-40s, standing at about 5 feet tall, with a noticeable obesity. He greeted Evelyn with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Bart," Evelyn replied, her expression neutral.
"You told me to meet you here early," Bart said, looking at Evelyn expectantly.
"This is Mei," Evelyn said, gesturing to Mei. "She'll be joining your department."
As they walked, Bart nodded and said, "Okay, Ms. Evelyn. I'll take care of her."
Mei looked at Evelyn, trying to speak, but seemed lost for words. "Big sis, I.."
Evelyn reassured her with a gentle smile. "We'll talk later, Mei."
With that, Evelyn left Mei in Bart's care, entrusting him with her well-being.
As Bart witnessed the exchange, his face transformed into a state of awe. He had never seen Ms. Evelyn smile before, and the sight took his breath away. He couldn't help but blush slightly, his mind racing with thoughts: "I had no idea Ms. Evelyn had a little sister... She actually smiled at her! I must take care of her as a fellow senior."
Bart composed himself and turned to Mei, gesturing for her to follow him. "Come this way," he said, leading her to her office.
As they entered, Mei's eyes widened in surprise. The office resembled an upscale internet cafe, with rows of expensive PCs lining the tables. Each workstation was sleek and modern, equipped with top-of-the-line hardware.
"Everyone, this is Mei. She'll be starting work here today," Bart announced in a loud, clear voice, grabbing the attention of the entire room.
As Mei's eyes widened in surprise, Bart continued, "I hope everyone will take good care of her, as Ms. Evelyn has entrusted her to me."
The room erupted into a chorus of whispers and murmurs, with coworkers speculating about Mei's background and connection to the CEO. "What's the CEO's recommendation?" "Who is she?""Is she related to her?" The chatter filled the room, until Bart's voice broke through once more.
"Everyone, welcome her!"
The room fell silent, and then, a round of applause erupted, welcoming Mei to the team. Mei's face flushed with embarrassment, as she wasn't used to this kind of attention.
As the elevator doors closed, Rachel suddenly stopped the lift by pressing the emergency button. She turned to Evelyn and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug. Evelyn, taken aback by the sudden display of affection, stood still in surprise.
"I'm really glad you're okay," Rachel said, her voice muffled against Evelyn's shoulder. "Why didn't you call me? I know we're employees and our relationship is professional, but I've been working with you since you took charge of this company. I'm mad that you chose to stay at some stranger's house instead of mine."
Evelyn's expression softened, and she gently patted Rachel's back. "I'm sorry for upsetting you, Rachel. I didn't want to bother you."
Rachel pulled back, her eyes welling up with tears. "Bother me? Now I have a daughter of five, and I see her the same way I see you - you're not alone, Evelyn. I need you to remember that."
As the elevator doors slid open on the top floor, Evelyn and Rachel emerged, their professional masks firmly back in place. They walked out of the elevator, side by side, as if the emotional moment they shared just moments before had never happened. Their faces were composed, their expressions serene, and their body language confident.
Evelyn led the way, her heels clicking on the marble floor, while Rachel followed closely behind, her eyes fixed on Evelyn's back. They moved in tandem, a well-rehearsed dance, as they navigated the bustling office floor.
Their colleagues barely gave them a second glance, accustomed to the sight of the CEO and her trusted assistant moving through the office with purpose and poise. The brief, intense moment in the elevator was already a distant memory, locked away behind their professional facades.