All Chapters of Paperwork and Hearthbeats: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

“Is that so?” Marius said, his voice low enough that only she could catch the edge in it. “Well, try to hold onto it. It is a long day ahead.” He straightened up fully, forcing himself to pull back into his professional role. “Andy is better off staying away from Leo then,” he noted, glancing toward the desks in the middle of the floor. “If Leo is already in a mood, Andy will just end up as collateral damage. I will go deal with him before he starts throwing pens at the wall.”“You hold on to it to, at least until lunch,” Tera said with a knowing smile. Marius felt the corner of his mouth twitch– a battle between a grin and a serious expression that he ultimately lost. He leaned in just slightly, lowering his voice so it would not carry to anyone within earshot. “That sounds like an order,” he said, his yellow green eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that had nothing to do with graphic design.

“Right. Work,” Marius said, though his yellow green eyes remained on her phone screen for a second longer than necessary. “Since you are the one who is so ‘sorted’.” He turned his attention back to Knox, who was already starting to shuffle toward the door with that infuriatingly causal air. “And you,” Marius called out, pointing a finger at Knox. “If I hear one more whisper about ‘celebratory drinks’ before the campaign actually launches, I am personally sending you to the archives to reorganize the old catalogues.” Knox gave a mock salute and disappeared around the corner of the hallway. Marius lingered by Harper’s desk for a moment longer, his voice dropping so only she could hear.“You sure about that?” Marius murmured, leaning in just close enough that the scent of her perfume reached him. “Because I know Oliver. He does not just let thing go.” He straightened up before H

“Chinese and a couch,” Marius repeated, a slow grin spreading across his face. “You certainly know how to pitch a proposal.” He pulled back just enough to look at her properly, his yellow green eyes still dark but with a newfound softness. He reached up, brushing a stray lock of blond hair away from her face. “I will hold you to that,” he said, his voice dropping to that low, private register again. “But right now, we have about ten minutes left on the clock, and I think we should probably use them to make sure we do not get caught.” He leaned in, capturing her lisp in a kiss that was slower than before, almost sweet, before pulling away with a final, lingering glance. “Get back to your desk,” Marius ordered, stepping back and smoothing down his shirt and adjusting his tie with practiced, steady hands. The transition back to his professional self was seamless, though the slight flush on his neck gave him away if anyone was

“Verbally, just mentioned it at lunch,” Harper said casually. “Apparently, the meeting was a sudden request, and he had an opening in his schedule.” Marius let out a short, sceptical breath through his nose. He did not move away from her desk, his arms still crossed. “Verbal. Of course.” He looked down at the floor for a moment, then back at her. “Oliver is many things, but ‘sudden schedule openings’ is not usually one of them. He is a man who lives by his calendar.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture that betrayed his growing unease. “Look, if you want to go, go. I am not going to stop you from doing what the CEO asks,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind. “But keep your guard up. If he is pulling you into meetings outside of your department hours without a paper trail, he is doing it for a reason.” He straightened up, smoothing the front of his waist coat. “What is the meeting about?

The second Clear Care Clark executive is black young man with his hands tucked casually into his trouser pockets. He has medium-brown skin and long dark dreadlocks that fall around his head and shoulders. A black and white striped headband holds his hair back from his face. he wears small dark earrings in his ear. His outfit consists primarily of black and charcoal tones. He is wearing a short sleeved black button up shirt beneath a dark pinstriped waistcoat and matching pinstriped trousers. The last one to walk into the room was a woman with vivid copper-red hair styled into elegant, voluminous waves. The hair is swept dramatically to one side and soft highlights catch the light. Her complexion is fair and smooth, and her blue eyes stand out vividly. Her makeup is subtle and professional. She is wearing a tailored back charcoal suit consisting of a fitted blazer and slim-cut trousers. Her blazer is structured with sharp lapels and underneath; she is wearing a deep burg