Year Five The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 171

“Mr... Mr. Barlow…”

A few of Silvia’s old colleagues, who had come hoping she’d help them get hired, had never imagined they’d run straight into Shipley at the front door—before even stepping inside the company. Just their luck.

The awkwardness was almost painful. The group exchanged nervous glances, each silently wishing someone else would figure out a way to break the tension and bail them out.

“I don’t recall asking you to come in today,” Shipley said softly. His eyes, usually warm and teasing, now glimmered with a smile that didn’t reach the rest of his face; his jaw twitched ever so slightly.

Shipley had been busy in Luminova City these last few days, wrapping up final business. The new office was still just a showroom, barely furnished. There was no real reason for employees to be here yet.

He looked at them, his tone mild—as if making an offhand comment.

But after working with Shipley for a while, they’d learned the signs. This was Shipley angry.

A cold shiver ran through the group. One of them rushed to answer, “Mr. Barlow, we were just… just taking a look around.”

“Taking a look?” Vianne scoffed, her eyes narrowing with icy disdain. “Your idea of ‘taking a look’ is coming all the way here and only calling out for Silvia? Not even a hello for Shipley? What, you move to Capital City and suddenly forget who your boss is?”

No one here was stupid.

The way they’d walked off the elevator, it was obvious they’d made a beeline straight for Silvia.

Running into Shipley was the last thing any of them expected.

“Well, we…”

They stammered, words drying up on their tongues. The truth was, none of them were here because of Shipley.

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