Chapter 888

Everyone felt a subtle jolt in their chest.

It was hard to deny that what he said actually made some sense.

“I saw it myself. She was hospitalized—looked pretty serious, too. My guess? She’s been in a coma for the past month.”

He lifted his chin proudly after speaking, practically glowing with self-satisfaction.

After all, he was the only one with insider info.

If anyone wanted more news in the future, wouldn’t they have to come to him?

They’d all have to rely on him eventually.

But just as he finished, the room didn’t erupt into the expected chorus of awe and admiration.

Instead, silence settled.

Everyone quietly turned back to their own work.

A chill ran down his spine—something wasn’t right.

No way… did someone show up behind him?

No one dared to say a word. They hadn’t expected a supervisor to arrive so fast.

At that moment, Ian casually placed a firm hand on the man’s shoulder.

The man’s leg buckled instantly, eyes squeezed shut as panic filled his chest.

He was doomed.

Had everything he said just been overheard?

What now? He really liked this job.

“All done with your work, are you?” Ian’s voice was cold and low right by his ear.

The man’s knees nearly gave out. He had only one thought left—he wanted to bolt.

But the weight on his shoulder was a clear reminder: this was real, and there was no running.

When he finally turned and saw that it really was Aurora’s assistant—the strictest of them all—his heart dropped like a stone.

“I… Mr. Ian, I was just joking. I’ll get back to work right now.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Ian’s expression didn’t shift.

There was no visible emotion, but to the man who had just gossiped about Aurora’s condition, Ian’s face looked terrifying.

What had he done?

Was this what it felt like to dance right in front of the lion?

Just as the employee was about to open his mouth to apologize, Ian waved a hand dismissively. “Head straight to HR.”

With that, a security guard stepped forward and escorted the employee out.

The man shouted in protest, “On what grounds? What is this supposed to mean?! I’ve worked here for so long! You’re just an assistant—who are you to fire me?!”

At first, he had only felt fear, thinking maybe he’d get a warning or be docked some pay. But he never imagined the consequences would be this serious.

He had only said a few words; how could that cost him his job?

At the beginning, he hadn’t dared to raise his voice at Ian.

But now that he was about to lose his job, he didn’t care anymore.

Between pride and a paycheck, pride clearly won.

That was why he dared to yell at Ian like that.

But Ian didn’t react to any of it.

He simply waited until the guard took the man away, then turned back to the rest of the office.

“What just happened should serve as a lesson to everyone. If you’re here to work, then keep your eyes and mouths in check. If something’s none of your business, don’t go digging around. Isn’t doing your job supposed to be the priority here?”

After those words, Ian didn’t stay another second. He turned and walked out.

Only after he left did everyone in the office finally let out a breath.

Up until that moment, no one had dared to even breathe too loudly, terrified they might be the next one in trouble.