When he finally stood to leave, the meeting was over. He gathered his folders and left with a curt "Farewell," leaving Evelyn to be the last one in the room.
A sense of bitter confusion washed over her. Usually, she or Emilia would have been the ones to lead the department managers out. She couldn't help but wonder if the man was intentionally pushing her aside, perhaps doubting her capabilities or simply trying to keep his distance.
"It's a mess!" she whispered to the empty room.
As she stood to leave, a sharp, white-hot pain shot through her ankle. "Hiss!" she gasped, quickly reaching out to support herself against the escalator handrail. It was her first time wearing these black stiletto heels, and she had managed to twist her foot at the worst possible moment.
