Chapter 241

Suzanne had only meant to steer the conversation away from the awkward territory, but the moment the words left her lips, she felt a sudden heat creeping up her cheeks. It was a flush that betrayed her inner discomfort. Speaking in such a measured tone felt stiflingly formal, yet she couldn't seem to help it. Halfway through signing some documents, Austin's steady hand froze. He squeezed his pen a bit tighter and, for an instant, a surge of warmth spread across his eyes. "Yeah," he murmured. Gabriel—sitting close by—caught every syllable, and even though he had grown used to these odd moments over time, it still hit him like a shock. The two business department heads standing nearby weren't nearly as fortunate. Their eyes were wide with disbelief. Was this really the same decisive, no-nonsense Austin they had come to fear? For a split second, they wondered if someone else had taken over his mind. If the situation weren't so formal, they might have even screamed. Feeling her face