Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 36

Chapter Thirty–Six: A Full Package.

No matter how much Cassienne tried to get used to the way people looked at her in Coralreach, she still couldn’t.

It was almost impossible.

Every single day, the moment she stepped into the tall glass building of Coralreach Tower, it felt the same. Just like the very first day she resumed work there, all eyes always turned in her direction.

Some people stared openly. While some pretended not to look, but still stole glances anyway. And others? They whispered behind their hands.

Cassienne often wondered what exactly they saw when they looked at her.

Was she strange to them? Was she too different? Or did they see her as something rare, something out of place?

Sometimes, it made her feel like an alien who had just landed on Earth. Other times, it made her feel like she was being judged as the most beautiful woman in the world. Either way, the attention made her uncomfortable.

As she walked further inside the building, she noticed two women standing close to each other near the reception desk. Cassienne recognized them immediately. They were the same women who had been gossiping about her in the elevator the other day.

This time, however, their expressions were different.

“Good morning, Miss Rhodes,” one of them greeted with a polite smile.

“Good morning,” Cassienne replied softly, returning the greeting.

She did not hold grudges. That had never been her nature.

Cassienne was simple, calm, and polite. She wasn’t the kind of woman who carried herself with pride or arrogance. She didn’t believe she was better than anyone else, even with her position. She preferred peace over conflict and kindness over pride.

As she moved toward the elevator area, she suddenly stopped.

Merrick and Corren were standing there, waiting.

Cassienne’s heart skipped a beat the moment her eyes landed on Corren.

She didn’t mean for it to happen. It just did.

Corren Thornwyck looked… unreal.

He stood tall and confident, like something carved out of stone. His skin was fair and flawless, his face sharp and masculine. The navy blue polo shirt he wore clung perfectly to his broad chest and arms, showing off his athletic build. It was obvious that he worked out often. The shirt was neatly tucked into his grey pants, making him look powerful, confident, and effortlessly handsome.

Cassienne’s eyes traveled over him before she could stop herself, then slowly moved to his face.

Corren smiled when he noticed her.

“Good morning, Miss Rhodes,” he said warmly. “What a pleasant surprise. We were just talking about you.”

Cassienne snapped back to herself immediately.

+25 Bonus

She almost scolded herself inwardly for getting distracted like that. She hadn’t even spared Merrick a glance until

NOW.

“Good morning, Mr. Thornwyck. Good morning, Merrick,” she greeted politely.

“Morning, Cass,” Merrick said with a grin. “You look good today.”

Cassienne’s cheeks flushed instantly.

She turned her head slightly and noticed that some staff members were still staring at her. It made her feel strange again.

Was it just her imagination? Or was there really something different about her today?

She didn’t know.

“You look stunning, Miss Rhodes,” Corren added calmly.

“Thank you,” she replied quietly, just as the elevator doors slid open.

The two men stepped aside, allowing her to walk in first.

She hesitated for a second, confused by the gesture, but then stepped inside.

“Good morning, sirs… and ma’am.”

Another voice sounded behind her.

Cassienne turned around, and the moment her eyes met a pair of striking green eyes, she gasped softly.

They were the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen.

“Good morning,” she muttered, slightly flustered.

The man nodded respectfully.

The three men stepped into the elevator with her, and the doors closed.

“Miss Rhodes,” Corren said, “meet my assistant. Damien. He just returned last night, so I know you haven’t met.”

Cassienne smiled politely at the tall, bulky man. Damien had a strong build, short curly hair trimmed neatly on the sides, with a few curls falling onto his forehead. He was undeniably handsome.

But what caught Cassienne’s attention was the way his eyes lingered on her.

His gaze slowly traveled over her body in a way that made her uncomfortable.

Cassienne noticed immediately.

This man was a flirt.

She looked away, choosing not to react.

Finally, the elevator dinged, and the doors opened on their floor.

Just like before, the men stood still.

“Ladies first,” Corren said, tilting his head slightly toward her.

“Thank you,” Cassienne murmured as she stepped out.

Chapter Thirty–Six A Full Package

+25 Bonus

Corren followed, then Merrick. And Damien was the last to exit.

“Good morning, everyone,” Cassienne greeted as she passed through the development hall.

“Hi, Cassie,” someone called.

“Good morning, ma’am,” another voice added.

“Hi, Cass,” Daisy waved cheerfully.

Cassienne smiled as she returned the greetings, then walked down the long hallway toward her office.

She entered her passcode into the security panel, and the door hissed open.

She settled into her chair, turned on her computer, and waited for it to boot.

A gentle knock came at the door.

A familiar woman walked in, holding a mug of hot coffee.

“Good morning, Miss Rhodes,” the woman said, placing the mug on the desk. “My name is Rose. I’ve been assigned to work as your assistant.”

Cassienne raised an eyebrow.

She recognized her. Rose was one of the women who had spoken about her in the elevator before.

“Hello, Rose,” Cassienne replied calmly. “It’s nice to meet you properly.”

Before Rose could respond, the door opened again.

“Cass,” Merrick said urgently, standing at the doorway. “We have an emergency meeting. Can you come with me?”

Cassienne stood up immediately and picked up her iPad.

She turned to Rose briefly. “We’ll continue later, okay?”

Rose nodded.

Cassienne followed Merrick down the hallway. He stopped at a door on the right side–a door Cassienne hadn’t noticed before.

Inside was a large conference room with glass walls that offered a clear view of the city.

Corren was already seated at the head of the table.

Cassienne and Merrick took their seats.

“I’m sorry to rush this,” Merrick said, “but we got a call last night. One of the most sophisticated companies wants our cyber security service.”

Cassienne shrugged slightly. “That doesn’t sound like an emergency. Auralink provides security systems all the time. So, yours shouldn’t be different too.”

Corren and Merrick exchanged looks.

“I’m talking about the Wyndham Corporation,” Merrick said quietly. “Mr. Gabriel Wyndham himself will be here

any moment.”

Chapter Thirty–Six A Full Package

Cassienne gasped.

“A full package,” Corren added. “A customized cyber security system for all his companies.”

Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened.

Gabriel Wyndham walked in, followed by two large men dressed in black.

Cassienne stood up immediately.

“Gabriel?” she gasped.

Every single person in the room turned to look at her.

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