?Chapter 1055:


    The overtime wasn’t because he couldn’t handle it—it was because Caldwell had dumped his own workload on him.


    Back when they visited home, while Freya chatted with Kendra, Caldwell had pulled Ellis aside andid it on thick—talking about how hard life had been, how he and Kendra deserved to travel now that Ellis was back. He said he wished his son would take some weight off his shoulders.


    Ellis just agreed to temporarily take over his father’s duties so his parents could take a break.


    However, Caldwell had asked him to keep this from Kendra.


    What Caldwell hadn’t mentioned was that he’d also promised Kendra he would stay in charge until their grandchild started preschool.


    “It’s just a busy stretch—one more week at most,” Ellis told Freya. “I’ll be done soon.”


    Honestly, Lambert Group didn’t need that much of his attention. But if he fullymitted to Lambert Group now, it wouldn’t be easy to return to Anita Internationalter.


    “You should just go back,” Freya said, her voice calm and logical. “Lambert Group and Anita International aren’t even in the same industry. If you stay here too long, people might start talking.”


    As the sessor to Lambert Group, showing up at a differentpany every day wasn’t a good look. People might think he was abandoning tradition—or that he didn’t respect the legacy his family had built.


    Such perceptions could negatively impact Lambert Group.


    “Trying to get rid of me?” Ellis asked.


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    “I’m not,” she replied smoothly. “Just being rational.” Well… partially rational. She did have an ulterior motive. If Ellis stayed at herpany, they’d be around each other constantly. There was no way she could n the proposal without him noticing something.


    But if he went to Lambert Group, she’d finally have the breathing room she needed to get everything ready. Of course, Ellis wouldn’t agree to leave.


    But he was thinking the same thing as Freya—the proposal.


    “Lambert Group isn’t even in the same district,” he said, still acting reluctant. “If I go, I won’t get to see you every day.”


    “I’m fine with that,” Freya said without hesitation. She was a grown woman—she could bnce her love life and her career. Life wasn’t a romance drama.


    Ellis gave her a long look. “You’re fine with it. I’m not.” Leaning back in his chair, he rested his head on one hand, spinning a penzily with the other. “What if my hard-won girlfriend runs off?”


    Freya raised an eyebrow, her lips curving ever so slightly. “Then I’ll keep an eye on her for you.”


    Ellis smirked, then pulled her into hisp, one arm circling her waist with practiced ease. His voice dropped lowerzy, warm, teasing. “And how exactly do you n to do that?”


    “With my eyes,” Freya said tly.


    Ellis raised a brow. “So you can just watch her sneak off?”


    Running away from Ellis had never crossed her mind. Were they even having the same conversation? Honestly, it felt like they were in different libraries, not just different books.


    “Yes,” she replied with mock defiance. “I’ll watch her run into someone else’s home.”


    Ellis pinched her waist lightly, a teasing edge in his voice. “Oh yeah? And who exactly are you talking about, hmm?”


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