Ethan, are you okay?" Kassandra asked after everything returned to normal.
"I'm okay, Boss," Ethan replied.
"That's good to hear."
I guess she has nothing to do with it. I was probably overthinking things, Ethan thought.
Meanwhile, Kassandra was having thoughts of her own.
Little Flame, do you think he saw something?
Now you're worried?
Princess, a few minutes ago you were so angry that even I was scared for you.
I didn't ask for a lecture, Kassandra replied.
Just tell me if he saw anything.
Little Flame was silent for a moment.
He definitely noticed something strange.
But I don't think he knows you were the cause of it.
Kassandra secretly sighed in relief.
Back in Ryan's office...
"Ryan, don't you think it would be nice if your little assistant married that guy I saw earlier?" Jessica asked.
Ryan slowly looked up.
"You are really getting on my nerves."
Jessica smirked.
"If you're tired of living, I don't mind sending you to marry the King of Hell instead."
The smile immediately disappeared from Jessica's face.
"Ryan!"
"If you have nothing important to say, leave."
Jessica gritted her teeth.
"I'm going to tell Auntie about this."
"Feel free."
Furious, Jessica stormed out.
As she passed through the office, she glared at the employees.
"What are you all staring at? Get back to work!"
The employees immediately lowered their heads.
"I guess that didn't go well for her."
Kassandra's voice was low, but Ethan still heard it.
"Boss, you sound happy about it."
"What are you talking about?" Kassandra asked.
Then she smiled.
"Actually... I guess you're right."
"I really hate her guts."
"Seeing her angry gives me peace of mind."
Ethan laughed.
"She must have done something terrible to you."
"Let's stop talking about her."
Kassandra stretched her arms.
"It's almost closing time."
"Finally."
A satisfied smile appeared on her face.
"The day is over."
Ethan hesitated.
Then he spoke.
"Boss..."
"Yes?"
"Would you like to go home together?"
Kassandra blinked.
"Oh."
"That's not a bad idea."
"Where do you live?"
Before Ethan could answer—
"Kassandra."
Ryan's voice suddenly echoed across the office.
Kassandra turned around.
"Yes, Boss?"
"Come here."
His tone left no room for argument.
Kassandra walked toward the CEO's office.
"Ethan, you may leave."
Ryan's eyes landed on Ethan.
The young man immediately felt a chill run down his spine.
"Y-Yes, Boss."
He left quickly.
Once the door closed, Kassandra frowned.
"Boss, are you okay?"
"You seem angry."
Ryan stood up.
Slowly.
"What if I said I am?"
Kassandra blinked.
As Ryan stepped closer, she instinctively took a step back.
The distance between them shortened.
And shortened again.
For some reason, her heart began beating faster.
What is wrong with him?
And why am I nervous?
"Boss..."
Ryan stopped in front of her.
His gaze dropped slightly.
Kassandra's glasses suddenly slipped down her nose.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Sea-blue eyes.
Beautiful.
Captivating.
Ryan felt his breath catch.
Kassandra...
"Boss?"
Her voice snapped him back to reality.
Ryan stepped back immediately.
The strange atmosphere vanished.
Kassandra quickly adjusted her glasses.
"What did you call me here for?"
Ryan looked away.
For the first time in a very long time...
He didn't know how to answer.
I want to take you home."
Ryan finally spoke.
"Let's go."
Kassandra blinked.
Since when did my cold boss become this nice?
"Boss, you don't have to bother yourself."
"I could have gone home with Ethan."
The moment the words left her mouth, Ryan's expression darkened.
"You would rather go home with your assistant than with me?"
His voice was colder than usual.
Kassandra froze.
"No, Boss. That's not what I meant."
Ryan looked at her.
"Then what did you mean?"
Kassandra suddenly felt nervous.
Why do I feel like a married woman who just got caught cheating?
Thankfully, Ryan didn't continue the conversation.
The rest of the journey was unusually quiet.
A few minutes later, they arrived at her apartment.
"Thanks for dropping me home, Boss."
Kassandra got out of the car.
Ryan simply nodded.
Then drove away.
Kassandra stared at the disappearing car.
"Heartless human."
"He couldn't even say good night."
She pouted before entering the building.
The moment she opened the door, she froze.
"Larissa?"
Her best friend was sprawled across the couch.
Several empty bottles sat on the table.
"Baby!"
Larissa's face lit up.
"You're back!"
Kassandra immediately frowned.
"What happened?"
"Laris, are you drunk?"
Larissa waved her hand.
"Hmmm..."
"I'm not drunk."
"I just had a little to drink."
Kassandra looked at the bottles.
"A little?"
"Right."
Larissa giggled.
Then her smile slowly disappeared.
"I quit my job."
Kassandra's expression softened.
"Is that why you're upset?"
Larissa shook her head.
"No."
"My boss tried to harass me."
Silence.
The room suddenly became colder.
"And then?"
Kassandra asked quietly.
Larissa lifted her chin proudly.
"So I beat him up."
"What?"
Kassandra's eyes widened.
"How dare he!"
A flicker of fire flashed through her eyes.
Little Flame immediately panicked.
Princess!
Calm down!
Don't turn this beautiful night into a disaster!
Shut up.
Kassandra snapped mentally.
You've been talking too much lately.
Little Flame sighed.
Larissa hugged a pillow.
"I'm telling you, Baby."
"I don't want anything to do with rich people anymore."
"They're all heartless."
Kassandra sat beside her.
"They're not all bad."
Larissa narrowed her eyes.
"Oh?"
"Defending rich people now?"
Kassandra hesitated.
Then smiled.
"Laris."
"What if I told you..."
"...I'm one of the rich people you're talking about?"
Larissa stared at her.
For three seconds.
Then—
She burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
"Good one."
"I'm serious."
Larissa laughed even harder.
"Baby, you burn water when you try to cook.
"You wear the same glasses every day."
"You get excited over free food."
"What rich person acts like that?"
Kassandra opened her mouth.
Then closed it again.
For the first time in a long while...
The Phoenix Princess of Heaven didn't know how to answer.