The Billionaire’s Secret Quartet novel Chapter 758

Thalassa turned her gaze in the direction of the voice, spotting Betty waving her over.

Betty intercepted her even before she could approach, "I was just telling Mr. Ethan that you had plans tonight and couldn't make it, but he insisted on calling you. Proves that persistence pays off, doesn't it?"

Betty's face held a warm smile as she chatted with Thalassa.

Thalassa listened as she maintained an estranged and courteous smile on her face, "I was first planning to spend the evening with my Mom. But she literally pushed me out the door when she heard the boss was calling."

"Of course, bonding with colleagues over a meal doesn't hold a candle to quality time with mom. Your mom understands you and lets you attend this company gathering, which shows you're doing a good job balancing your personal and professional life." Betty’s sentences carried no reproach for Thalassa declining her personal invitation, but they alluded to it subtly.

Thalassa’s response to that was a decent one as well.

Navigating office politics was like working through a textbook, with lessons hidden between every line.

“Ms. Everhart, you made it. Here, we saved you a seat.” A male colleague pulled out the chair beside him, beaming as he welcomed Thalassa.

Everyone was seated around a large circular table.

Glancing around, Thalassa noticed all present were her co-workers from the top floor. No one else from any other department was there. It seemed to be a gathering exclusive to their floor.

Ethan was seated at the innermost chair of the round table, symbolizing his authority as the big boss.

The seat her colleague saved was on the outermost.

Ethan greeted her with an amused look upon her arrival.

“Thalassa, have a sit quickly, so we can start the meal.” Betty guided Thalassa to the seat that the male colleague saved for her.

Ethan remained silent throughout, quietly sipping his wine while casting speculative glances at Thalassa.

Lysander had never publicly acknowledged his relationship with Thalassa, not even in front of their friends. He never clarified what kind of relationship he had with Thalassa.

Ethan was curious to see how Thalassa would handle the playful, half-serious teasing from their colleagues. It was quite clear that Jason was interested in her and intended to pursue her.

"As long as you two get hitched, I'll be the first to give you a big fat wedding gift. And none of you here can show up empty-handed, right?" Betty continued to lead the conversation.

Everyone at the table chimed in, "Of course, we won't forget the gift. Hurry up, or our gifts will go stale."

Thalassa quickly became the target of the teasing, feeling uncomfortable and flustered.

"We have so many beautiful ladies in our company, and I'm not the only one who's 27. Lily is in the prime of her life too." Thalassa tried to deflect the attention from herself.