Chapter 81

Lauren's POV

After I was done with the meeting, I stepped out of the boardroom, finally free for the day. My body felt heavy, the kind of exhaustion that sank into your shoulders and made even walking feel like a task. What I needed more than anything was a long, cold shower once I got back home — a chance to let the stress slide off me. The thought of the water rushing over me was comforting enough that I almost forgot I wasn’t alone in the corridor.

But of course, I didn’t make it very far before someone stopped me.

“Lauren,” a voice called from behind me.

I turned around, a little startled, and saw the manager approaching. His shoes clicked softly against the floor as he closed the distance between us. I straightened my posture quickly and pulled up a polite smile.

“Good presentation today, congratulations,” he said once he reached me. His tone was even, not overly warm, but certainly not dismissive either.

Unlike the manager b