Chapter 497

"I didn't get a chance to file for leave," Evelyn explained through gritted teeth.

Theodore Graves let out a derisive laugh. "No time to request leave? That's the lamest excuse I've ever heard."

Evelyn took a steadying breath before responding coolly, "It was an emergency situation. The engagement happened late at night, and I had to fly back to Aldenria for the wedding ceremony first thing in the morning."

Theodore's expression remained stony. "I couldn't care less about your marital arrangements," he snapped. "You'll be recorded as absent without leave for seven days. Half your monthly salary will be deducted. And forget about receiving any annual bonuses."

Evelyn's cheeks flushed crimson with barely contained rage. It wasn't about the financial penalty - she couldn't stand being treated so unjustly.

Liam had been the one who rushed her home for the wedding. Yet as her superior, he hadn't properly authorized her leave, resulting in this absurd punishment.

The injustice burned hotter with each passing second. She powered on her phone, watching as notifications flooded the screen.

"Hold on," Evelyn said with deceptive calm. "Let me check with my husband about this."

Theodore's brow furrowed. "Why would you need his input?"

"To confirm whether he approved my leave."

"Is your husband suddenly heading HR now?" Theodore sneered.

Evelyn's fingers trembled as she dialed Liam's number.

"Cassandra?" Liam's voice carried an unusual warmth through the receiver.

Evelyn cut him off sharply. "Did you approve my leave when I returned to Aldenria for our wedding?"

"I delegated it to Victoria. I authorized a full month's leave," Liam responded seriously, clearly surprised Evelyn had returned after only a week.

Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut, drawing a slow breath. Just hearing Victoria's name ignited fresh fury in her chest.

The realization hit her - Victoria had made her look like a fool yet again. The money meant nothing, but the humiliation stung.

Without another word, Evelyn ended the call, powered off her device, and slammed it onto the desk.

She fixed Theodore with a bitter smile. "Deduct whatever you want - salary, bonuses, whatever. Save yourself the trouble of notifying me."

Theodore jabbed at the scattered files. "Is this what you've been wasting time on? What is all this?"

Evelyn flipped open the folder to find printed copies of her confidential research. Her face burned with outrage. Snapping the file shut, she rose abruptly, cradling her abdomen. "How dare you access my computer?"

Theodore snorted. "You still haven't explained your so-called research, yet you question me? While you're collecting taxpayer money to play games?"

Evelyn forced herself to remain composed. She knew her computer automatically wiped all data after each session, transferring everything to encrypted drives. The hydronium research shouldn't have been accessible.

Her hands clenched into white-knuckled fists as realization dawned. Through gritted teeth, she muttered a curse before demanding, "Who gave you these files? Who's using you to spy on me?"