Chapter 449

"Evelyn, what exactly are you trying to imply?"

Evelyn didn't mince words. "Julian, you don't have special feelings for her, do you?"

Julian finally understood her insinuation. He chuckled lightly. "Since when did you start meddling in my personal affairs?"

Seeing him evade the question made Evelyn anxious. "You're not developing feelings for Katherine, are you?"

Julian tapped her forehead with his finger. "What nonsense are you thinking? Katherine is merely my junior colleague, nothing beyond that."

Evelyn rubbed her forehead with a pout. "Katherine! You call her so affectionately. How can I be sure you're telling the truth?"

"Evelyn," Julian sighed in exasperation, "what must I say to convince you?"

"I believe you. But others might interpret things differently."

The way Katherine looked at Julian clearly suggested their relationship wasn't purely professional.

"Julian... I..."

"Enough, Evelyn! What are you trying to say?"

Her eyes darted as she gathered courage to ask the question weighing on her mind. "Is there someone you're interested in?"

An uncomfortable silence fell. A flicker of something unreadable passed through Julian's eyes before he schooled his expression.

"No."

His answer came swift and decisive.

Evelyn sighed inwardly for Sophia. All these years she'd watched Sophia harbor feelings for him, while Julian remained oblivious.

"Evelyn, if that's all, I should return to work."

Evelyn nodded. "Go ahead."

As Julian stepped out, he nearly collided with Sophia in the hallway. He paused, his gaze lingering on her.

"You're here too?" Sophia spoke first.

"Here to see Evelyn?"

Sophia nodded, fingers tightening around her bag strap. Without another word, she murmured, "I'll go in now."

She brushed past him, leaving a faint trace of her perfume in the air.

At that moment, Katherine returned from the restroom and immediately latched onto Julian's arm. "Julian, won't you give me a tour of the office?"

Sophia froze mid-step at the sound but didn't turn around. Instead, she knocked firmly on Evelyn's office door.

"Come in!"

Only after the door closed behind Sophia did Julian turn back, staring at the polished wood with an unreadable expression.

Katherine tilted her head curiously. "Julian, what are you looking at?"

Julian abruptly withdrew his arm. "At work, you should address me as Mr. Hartwell."

Katherine's face fell, her hand dropping awkwardly to her side. "Did I do something wrong?"

Julian studied her briefly before softening his tone. "No. But we must maintain professionalism in the workplace."

Katherine brightened instantly. "Understood."

"I have meetings shortly," Julian added. "My assistant will show you around instead."