CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: JUST A CHILD

"Elias."

Just as Freya Caldwell refused to give up and insisted on following Elias Sinclair into the office, she was stopped by Joyce Kramer.

The moment Elias waved his hand, she immediately understood.

"Miss, is there anything I can help you with?"

"And who are you?"

Freya curiously sized up Joyce from head to toe. From now on, she’d be on guard against every woman appearing beside Elias Sinclair.

"I’m the executive director of the Sinclair Group, Joyce Kramer."

Joyce glanced at the person in front of her. If she hadn’t misheard, this girl actually called President Sinclair by his first name, Elias. How delusional.

In the Sinclair Group alone, there are thousands who admire Elias Sinclair. What’s so special about a naive girl like her?

Joyce, naturally, was not worried.

"Executive director?" Freya raised an eyebrow, full of disdain.

She thought, who is this? An executive director daring to block her way—wasn’t she being a bit overconfident?

Ignoring Joyce, Freya resumed her attempts to walk in.

Joyce unceremoniously grabbed Freya’s hand, "Miss, President Sinclair is currently working. If you wish to see him, you need to make an appointment."

"Do you know who I am?"

Once again being blocked, Freya was visibly disdainful. A little director dared to confront her, her face showing an impatient expression.

"Hmm?"

Joyce, slightly puzzled, thought: usually this line comes from a spoiled second-generation rich kid or someone related to high officials.

"I am the only daughter of the Caldwell Group, do you dare to block me?"

Speaking of her family background, Freya instantly regained her confidence. She was the beloved only child, always indulged since a young age, accustomed to having others make way for her.

She couldn’t believe this little director could do anything to her.

"Oh, I see. I must have overlooked a gem. However, even if your father came, he would need an appointment." Joyce rolled her eyes internally but maintained a friendly exterior.

She understood young girls like this perfectly well. Starry-eyed and infatuated, they would do anything to get what they wanted, usually ending in heartache.

From what she knew of Elias Sinclair, he’d never be interested in such girls, especially since the girl before her seemed as young as Nina Sinclair, more like a little sister.

"Alright, then let’s make an appointment."

Freya was left speechless by Joyce’s subtle rebuke. She looked directly at Joyce, realizing it was just an excuse, so she decided to play along.

"Well... as far as I know, President Sinclair’s schedule is fully booked this week."

Joyce rolled her eyes, feigning an apologetic tone.

"You... hmph!"

Freya angrily shook off Joyce’s grip.

"Miss, I apologize. Please, this way."

Joyce shook her head helplessly, then put on a professional smile, indicating that she intended to escort Freya out.

Seeing this, Freya warned angrily, "Hmph, let me tell you, you’re just a petty director. Once I get Elias wrapped around my finger, you’ll be the first I fire."

"Be my guest." Joyce said, gesturing her to go.

Freya grudgingly looked at Elias Sinclair’s office, but ultimately had no choice but to leave.

With a helpless shake of her head, Joyce watched Freya’s retreating figure before turning into Elias Sinclair’s office.

"I’ve sent her away for you."

"Thank you."

Elias didn’t look up from his paperwork, clearly unbothered by the incident.

He had full confidence that Joyce could handle it well.

"President Sinclair, you must be quite the charmer, making even young girls swoon for you." Joyce feigned a tease, though she felt a slight pang.

"Just childish antics." Elias frowned, speaking in a deep voice.

If it weren’t for Nina, he never expected to have such interactions with young girls.

"She’s the only daughter of the Caldwell Group, aren’t you even a bit tempted?"

Since the topic was open, Joyce decided to continue teasing.

The daily work grind almost made her forget their carefree college days.

Back then, they could speak their minds freely, even though Elias had always been the same. It was better than now.

"You know." Perhaps drawn in by the unexpected atmosphere, Elias responded for once.

Just three words, but they warmed Joyce’s heart.

"You know," those words can only be spoken to someone close. Elias knew Joyce understood him, knew that he would never engage in a marriage of convenience due to power—he didn’t need to.

His engagement with The Lowell Family was merely a childhood arrangement, not a commercial alliance.

When Quinn Lockwood returned from the film set to the company, all the employees looked at her with peculiar eyes.

"After causing such trouble with the company, she still has the nerve to come back?" a little-known agent whispered to the person beside them.

"Exactly, if the company hadn’t revived her career back then, who knows where she’d be now. She came back with a bite like an ungrateful snake," the colleague at the next desk complained.

"Isn’t she just trying to hog all the company’s attention? She pushes down newcomers, leaving no chance for us."

Young artists in the company vented their long-held grievances.

Usually, the company only valued Quinn Lockwood and Dylan Quinn, and now their scandal had the company eager to spin their tale into a love story for the press.

With the company constantly signing new talent, what future lay for those caught in between, who were just as skilled and attractive as Quinn Lockwood? Their prolonged neglect inevitably bred dissatisfaction.

Quinn heard all of this but paid it no heed.

After all, everyone has their standpoint. If those who complained about not getting their due were truly in her place, they might not perform better than her.

"To wear the crown, bear its weight."

Behind all the glitz and glamour were untold struggles.

Judging someone based on hearsay is perhaps why they haven’t succeeded.

Words can be fearsome. Quinn shook her head helplessly, thinking if they knew she was The Lowell Family’s heiress, things might look different.

Previously, due to Savannah Lowell’s personality, Mr. Lowell never agreed to let her enter the entertainment industry, so he forbid her from revealing her true identity.

Now, seeing her colleagues’ attitude, Quinn suddenly realized that if she insisted on defending herself any longer, her future path would become very difficult.