Chapter 5 #3
Standing well over six feet tall, Benjamin cut an imposing figure despite the obvious panic written across his face.
His long crimson-red hair was neatly tied into a low ponytail that rested between his shoulder blades, not a single strand out of place despite how frantic he looked.
Behind a pair of thin silver-rimmed glasses, his usually composed gray eyes were filled with desperation.
His navy suit was as immaculate as ever, but the tablet tucked under one arm and the stack of folders clutched tightly in his hands betrayed just how chaotic his morning had been.
He stopped in front of Elise and let out a breath that sounded almost relieved.
"Miss Foster... thank goodness you're here."
Elise blinked, surprised by his reaction.
"What happened?"
Benjamin glanced nervously toward the closed doors of the president's office before lowering his voice.
"Mr. Chen has been in an absolutely terrible mood since he arrived."
He let out a weary sigh and rubbed his forehead.
"No... 'terrible' isn't even the right word.
He's furious. In the last twenty minutes alone, three department managers have been sent out after getting scolded, the finance director was told to redo an entire report because one number was misaligned, and the legal department has already revised the same contract four times. "
Benjamin held up the thick stack of files in his arms as though they weighed a hundred pounds.
"He hasn't approved a single one. He keeps handing them back."
His shoulders slumped slightly.
"I don't think anyone on this floor dares to knock on his door anymore."
Elise frowned with genuine concern.
"Did something happen?"
Benjamin gave a helpless shake of his head.
"I wish I knew."
He sighed before carefully placing the stack of folders into her hands.
"These are the files he asked for this morning."
His expression turned almost pleading.
"Miss Foster... could you please take them into his office?"
Elise looked at him in confusion.
"Me?"
Benjamin nodded so quickly it was almost frantic.
"Please. Everyone knows Mr. Chen listens to you more than anyone else. If anyone can get him to calm down enough to actually read these documents, it's you."
Elise looked down at the stack of files Benjamin had placed in her arms before lifting her eyes back to him, clearly puzzled.
"I don't think I have that kind of influence over Xavier."
Her expression remained as sincere as ever, without the slightest hint of false modesty. She genuinely couldn't understand why Benjamin seemed convinced she could calm Xavier down.
Benjamin simply looked at her for a few seconds before closing his eyes briefly and letting out a long, weary sigh. One hand came up to rub the bridge of his nose while the other rested on his hip.
‘Miss Foster... if only you knew.’
If only she knew that everyone on the executive floor had figured it out years ago.
Whenever she was around, Xavier's temper, though never exactly pleasant, became manageable enough that meetings could actually end without someone walking out on the verge of tears.
Whenever she wasn't...
The entire executive floor lived in fear.
Benjamin lowered his hand and glanced instinctively toward the tightly shut office doors, as if expecting Xavier to storm back out at any moment.
"Miss Foster," he said, turning back to her, "I know you don't believe me, but please."
Elise frowned slightly, hugging the files a little closer against her chest.
"I think something must have happened at work," she said thoughtfully.
"Maybe one of the overseas oil projects ran into trouble, or an important negotiation didn't go as planned.
" She shook her head gently, her voice calm and matter-of-fact.
"That's probably why Xavier is upset. I don't think my being there would make any difference. "
"It will."
Benjamin answered so quickly that he almost cut her off.
"It really will."
He took an unconscious step closer, desperation creeping into his usually composed voice.
Elise looked at him with genuine confusion.
"Benjamin..."
Benjamin glanced toward the president's office again before looking back at her. The muscles in his jaw tightened as he clasped his hands together, completely abandoning the professional composure he was known for.
"I'm begging you, Miss Foster."
His voice dropped almost to a whisper.
"Please... just go inside."
He gestured helplessly toward the office.
"If you don't, someone from accounting is going to cry before lunch, the legal department is already revising the same contract for the fifth time, and I'm fairly certain the marketing director is halfway through writing his resignation letter."
He exhaled heavily, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion.
"I've worked beside Mr. Chen for seven years." He gave a small, defeated shake of his head. "Believe me when I say I know what I'm talking about."
Elise studied his face quietly.
The dark circles beneath his eyes, the fatigue in his expression, and the genuine worry in his voice didn't seem exaggerated in the slightest.
After a moment, she sighed softly.
"...Alright."
She shifted the files into one arm and adjusted her grip on them.
"I'll take these to him."
Benjamin's entire posture relaxed as though a tremendous weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He actually let out the breath he'd been holding and nodded repeatedly.
"Thank you, Miss Foster."
"Really... thank you."
Elise offered him a small nod before turning toward the president's office. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she walked down the hallway, stopping briefly in front of the large walnut doors before lifting a hand to knock.
A few seconds later, she disappeared inside.
The heavy doors closed behind her with a quiet click.
The bustling executive floor instantly became quieter.
Several assistants subtly lifted their heads from their desks. One manager cautiously peeked over his computer monitor before pretending to work again. Even the receptionists seemed to unconsciously slow their movements, as though everyone was waiting to see what would happen next.
Benjamin remained standing exactly where he was, his eyes fixed on the closed office doors.
Only after several long moments did he slowly release the breath he'd been holding and rub his forehead again.
"Um... Secretary Carter?"
A hesitant voice came from behind him.
Benjamin turned around.
Standing a few steps away was a young woman who looked no older than twenty-two.
Her bright blue hair was tied into a high ponytail, making her youthful features look even younger.
She held a notebook tightly against her chest with both arms, her employee badge identifying her as an intern swinging slightly as she shifted nervously from one foot to the other.
It was Hailey.
She had watched the entire exchange from the reception desk without missing a single word.
When Benjamin looked at her, she hesitated for a moment before walking over.
"Can... can I ask you something?"
Benjamin gave a tired nod, though his gaze instinctively drifted back toward Xavier's office.
"What is it?"
Hailey lowered her voice until it was barely above a whisper, instinctively glancing around the executive floor before leaning a little closer to Benjamin.
"Secretary Carter... why do you think Miss Foster is the only one who can calm Mr. Chen down?"
She looked toward the closed office doors, then back at him, her brows knitting together in confusion. "I've only been here for three weeks, but... isn't Mr. Chen always cold to her?"
Benjamin looked at her for a long moment before letting out a quiet, helpless laugh. He tipped his head back for a second, closed his eyes briefly, then rubbed both hands over his face as though trying to chase away an oncoming headache.
"That's exactly how I know you're new."
Hailey blinked, waiting patiently.
Benjamin exhaled through his nose before turning to face the president's office again. Folding his arms across his chest, he stared at the heavy walnut doors for a moment before speaking.
"Tell me something," he said. "Have you ever noticed what kind of mood Mr. Chen is in whenever Miss Foster arrives late to the office?"