From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 178

178 /190

My heart jumped into my throat and every hair on my arms stood on end. I frantically searched for a place to hide, desperate not to get caught by whoever was about to walk in. Then I spotted Elliot’s massive desk and, without thinking, squeezed myself underneath.

Honestly, anyone stumbling into this would get the absolute wrong idea. There was just no way out of it—no room for explanations, even if I tried.

Elliot didn’t even spare me a glance. He just rasped out a low, rough “Come in.” His voice sounded completely shot, probably from all that showering and towel-drying.

The office door swung open. Blake walked in first, grinning from ear to ear, with Ryan close behind him. Then came five senior execs, marching in like they were on parade.

Even the higher-ups love some drama. Every one of them kept sneaking looks my way, their faces full of curiosity and suspicion.

I just... gave up. Let them think whatever they wanted. Trying to explain would only make things worse. Some people always think an explanation is just a cover-up anyway, and this was definitely one of those times.

They all filed in and took their seats. Elliot sat there like nothing could touch him, cheeks still a little flushed, looking way too relaxed for someone in a bathrobe. If trouble had a face, it’d probably look just like him in that moment.

I stared at the ceiling, silently begging the universe for a way out. But there was no fixing this. I clamped my mouth shut and stayed put.

Elliot’s robe had slipped open at the front from drying his hair too aggressively, showing off a stretch of smooth, pale skin and his sharp collarbone—and, honestly, enough of his chest to make anyone blush.

I’d never been in a situation like this before. My body just went on autopilot. I gave everyone a tiny, awkward wave, like one of those bobblehead lucky cats, doing my best to look normal.

Everyone else kept their eyes glued to the floor, acting like they hadn’t seen a thing. Only Blake and Ryan let their eyes dart between Elliot and me, back and forth like they were searching for scandal. It was like they’d made it their personal mission to find out exactly what was going on.

I pressed my lips together, running through escape plans in my head. But before I could come up with anything, Elliot spoke up, “That’s all for today, Ms. Greenwood. You’ve worked hard. Go get some rest. We’ll talk about everything else later. Everyone else, meeting in the small conference room in five.”