Elaine hadn’t even realized she said the wrong thing when Marcus’s face had already gone dark.
One look at him and she instantly clamped a hand over her mouth, grinning awkwardly.
“Just taking a quick break, promise.”
Without waiting for a reply, she darted over to the couch, avoiding his murderous glare as she squeezed her eyes shut.
There was zero chance she’d actually fall asleep like this, but just in case, she still set an alarm.
Maybe it was the way the office was dead silent, or maybe it was that faint cologne in the air—probably Marcus’s.
Whatever it was, it worked like the best sleep aid imaginable.
Before she knew it, she dozed off.
It would’ve stayed quiet in the office…
if only Marcus hadn’t caught a soft little snore.
No need to guess who it came from.
Other than him, the only one around was Elaine, snoring away like she had no worries in the world.
He paused his work, stood up, and padded softly over to her.
Right then, her alarm went off, but Marcus, quick as ever, grabbed her phone and turned it off before it could fully wake her.
Elaine’s brows twitched at the sound, but it didn’t really register—she just let out a little sigh, flipped over, and casually draped one leg over the back of the couch.
Marcus’s mouth twitched in disbelief, then he shot her a look full of disdain.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Not wanting anyone to disturb her, Marcus walked over and opened it himself.
It was Henry, holding a lunch bag, and clearly stunned to see Marcus answering the door—definitely not something that happened often.
Snapping out of it, he handed over the food.
“President, your lunch.”
“Mm.” Marcus nodded and gave him instructions.
“If it’s not urgent, don’t let anyone in.”
Henry didn’t fully get what that meant but decided to take it literally.
“Got it.”
When Marcus returned to the couch, Elaine was still deep in dreamland.
Even after he finished eating, she showed no signs of waking up.
She hadn’t done anything last night…
so why was she this exhausted?
A little after one, Elaine’s phone rang again—it was an unknown number.
Marcus instantly recognized it, though.
He answered the call on her behalf.
Before he could say anything, a harsh voice came in hot: “Audrey, are you aware it’s already work hours?
Do you think being the president’s wife puts you above company rules now?”
Weirdly enough, Marcus usually didn’t care when Isabella went off complaining about Audrey.
But right now, hearing this while looking at Elaine curled up peacefully beside him, his chest tightened with irritation.
He didn’t want anyone speaking to her like that.
His tone dropped, cold and clipped.
“She’ll come in when she wakes up.”
“President?” Isabella clearly hadn’t expected him to pick up.
Had they been together since Elaine left?
And what did he mean by “when she wakes up”…
she was napping in his office?
“President, it’s already during working hours,” Isabella tried to sound composed.
Marcus replied calmly, not bothered at all.
“From now on, she’ll clock in whenever she wants.”