---- Chapter 82 After Jenna finished speaking, she looked at James, her voice syrupy sweet as she cooed, "I couldn't bring myself to scold him-he's just too cute." Her tone was playful, almost flirtatious. The elevator was quiet aside from them, with a few of Frank Group's employees standing awkwardly, all keeping their heads down. Wendy glanced up at the two of them and couldn't help but find the scene ridiculous.

"Why aren't you saying anything, Wendy?" Jenna pressed, her voice rising just a bit. "Is it because the staff are here, and you don't want to talk about coming home?" "You've been so stubborn about staying away. James can't even find the right moment to talk to you about Ethan, so he talks to me.

I know I'm just his aunt, and no matter how much he loves me, I can't replace his mom." She wore a black pencil skirt and fitted blazer that clung to her curves, with sheer tights and high heels that clicked softly on the floor. Her every move radiated confidence and purpose. When she laughed softly with one hand delicately covering her mouth, it looked polished and deliberately charming. But her eyes-those sharp, almond -like eyes -flicked toward Wendy with unmistakable disdain.

Everything about her words screamed-James and Ethan both ---- loved Jenna now. Wendy didn't matter anymore. Wendy wasn't rattled, though. She found it interesting, even amusing, how openly Jenna flaunted her status at Frank Group. Clearly , she had a lot of sway. She didn't care that employees were present or how obvious her attitude was-because with James backing her, she clearly didn't have to. Wendy was amused.

James had never even allowed her to step foot in the company when they were married. Without a word, Wendy raised her gaze, glanced briefly at them both, and then calmly stared straight at the elevator doors. She remained silent. The elevator became unbearably tense, and everyone could feel it. The silence hung like smoke. Everyone had expected Wendy to retort, maybe even lose her cool, but she didn't. Jenna blinked, momentarily thrown off. Heat crawled up her neck.

Her cheeks flushed, then paled, then flushed again. It felt like she'd just swung hard at a pillow and embarrassed herself doing it. Then, someone tried to stifle a laugh. The employees who had been frozen stiff now glanced sideways, hiding smirks or pretending to check their phones to deflect the tension. Jenna bit down on her lower lip, eyes suddenly reddening as ---- she turned to James, expecting him to say something. But he didn't -he hadn't even looked her way.

He just stood there in silence. The elevator kept ascending slowly. It stopped twice to let people in and out, but somehow still hadn't reached the seventh floor. "Did I say something wrong, Wendy?" Jenna finally asked, her voice quivering. She looked at Wendy with wide, teary eyes. "Could you shut up for two seconds?" Wendy finally replied, calm and direct. "I'm here to work, not chat. Do you know how annoying you are?" The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open.

Willow, standing just outside , held the door for her. Wendy stepped out with graceful ease, not sparing a backward glance. The other employees awkwardly followed her out, choosing to wait for the next elevator instead of sticking around. Only two people remained when the doors closed again- Jenna and James. He still hadn't said a word. The silence dragged. She shifted her weight, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear. "James... I didn't mean anything by it.

Ijust-" "Tt wasn't your fault," he cut in flatly. "She's just petty. She ---- didn't want to give you the satisfaction of keeping your ego." Jenna brightened up at that. She looked up at his profile- those sharp brows drawn into a slight frown -and her heart finally settled. Still, she kept up the innocent act. She said, "Wendy probably just didn't want to bring up private stuff in front of the staff. I'm sure she wasn't trying to be rude. Don't be upset with her."