Chapter 548
548:
Ethan’s heart sank with every silent moment that passed. He could feel the weight of his recent mistakes pressing down on him, almost certain that Brenna’s cold detachment was a sign of deeper troubles brewing between them. As he watched her, lost in her work, he felt a pang of anxiety. Maybe she was already thinking about breaking up with him.
“Brenna, I swear, I haven’t seen Minna since that night. There’s absolutely nothing going on between me and her,” Ethan said, his voice laden with sincerity.
However, Brenna seemed utterly absorbed in her task, her attention tethered to the glowing screen before her. She pointed out a feature on the mechanical arm design, completely engrossed in her technical discussion with a young engineer beside her. “If we add another joint here, it could really enhance the mobility for amputees, offering them finer control and better dexterity,” she said with a focused intensity. The engineer nodded, clearly impressed by Brenna’s insight. “You’ve thought of everything, Brenna. I’ll get on that revision right away.”
Meanwhile, Greta had been observing the interaction from across the room. She thought it was a bit cold for Brenna to leave Ethan hanging like that, but considering how swamped Brenna had been lately, she understood her.
“Mr. Mitchell, why don’t you join me over here for now? It’s already 11:30. Maybe try catching Brenna during lunch? She might be more available then,” Greta suggested, her voice soft. She knew a man like Ethan was far out of her league, but even the tiniest chance to talk to him was better than none.
Ethan’s eyes lingered on Brenna’s face. He had been standing there for nearly ten minutes, yet she had only spared him a single glance before diving right back into her work.
She wasn’t being rude; she was genuinely busy.
“Alright,” Ethan replied with a quiet sigh, conceding.
As he stepped out of Brenna’s office, he scanned the bustling workspace. Every desk was occupied, every seat taken—there wasn’t even a spare chair in sight.
“This way,” Greta said quickly, stepping in to guide him.
She led Ethan toward a meeting room at the end of the hallway.
Unfamiliar with the layout, Ethan followed her without question, glancing curiously at the surroundings. The room was small but cozy, furnished with soft yellow leather couches arranged in a circle around a pale square coffee table. The minimalist design gave it a simple charm.
Sinking comfortably into one of the sofas, Ethan glanced at Greta and asked, “Have you guys been busy lately?”
Seeing Ethan initiate a conversation, Greta felt her heart flutter. A mix of excitement and anxiety surged through her, and she subtly wiped her damp palms against her skirt. Trying to keep her voice steady, she answered, “Yes, we have been very busy recently. We’ve been pulling late nights, working until eleven or even past midnight. We even eat lunch and dinner at our desks. We’re drowning in orders.”
She felt a quiet thrill at being able to fill Ethan in, secretly hoping he would keep the conversation going. And to her delight, he did.
“What do you usually eat for lunch?” Ethan asked, his voice easy but laced with curiosity.
Greta paused for a beat, then chuckled softly. “Honestly? Whatever’s fast and delivers. Usually takeout—pizza, spaghetti, tacos, etc.”
.
.
.