Chapter 12
The two luxury vehicles departed from the prestigious hotel, returning to their temporary lodgings.
Evelyn stepped out first when they arrived.
Abigail followed closely behind.
At the entrance stood Sebastian Whitmore, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit and polished leather shoes.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Whitmore." Evelyn greeted him politely, mirroring Abigail's professionalism.
Sebastian acknowledged Evelyn with a nod, though his gaze lingered on her with unexpected intensity.
Even after Evelyn entered the lobby, Sebastian remained frowning slightly as he watched her retreating figure.
Dominic emerged from the car and immediately noticed the peculiar expression on his assistant's face.
His dark eyes locked onto Sebastian with characteristic intensity. Catching himself, Sebastian quickly assumed his usual professional demeanor.
Dominic strode past him, his voice icy. "You were staring at her."
The accusation hung in the air.
Sebastian hesitated, weighing his words carefully before responding, "No, I wasn't."
The weak denial only darkened Dominic's expression further.
Nathan Kensington arrived just then, stepping out of a taxi with his laptop bag. Spotting his superiors by the elevator, he blinked in surprise before offering a respectful greeting. "Mr. Whitmore, Mr. Blackwood."
Dominic's piercing gaze assessed the newcomer.
"I'm Nathan Kensington from the design department." Nathan introduced himself hastily before adding, "I won't disturb you further, sir. I'll head upstairs now."
Dominic's expression remained unreadable, but an invisible chill seemed to radiate from him, creating an impenetrable barrier.
Back in his suite, Dominic methodically undid his cufflinks while observing his sleeping children. Exhausted from play, they lay tangled in the luxurious bedding.
He moved to the suite's bar, uncorking an expensive Bordeaux and pouring himself a generous portion. The wine burned its way down his throat as he drained the glass in one swallow.
The twins stirred awake not long after.
Alexander woke first, quietly completing his bedtime routine before helping his sister select her favorite princess nightgown.
"What's wrong with Daddy?" Isabella whispered.
Her brother shook his head. He didn't understand adult moods, but knew better than to pry.
Meanwhile downstairs...
Nathan set down his laptop bag and unexpectedly pulled Evelyn into an embrace.
Evelyn stiffened. "What's this about?"
Their one-year relationship had been notably lacking in physical affection due to Evelyn's discomfort with touch - a boundary Nathan had always respected.
Tonight, however, he seemed different.
"Nothing. Just missed you," Nathan murmured tiredly.
Evelyn remained silent.
They dined together that evening before Nathan suggested shopping for essentials he'd forgotten in his rushed departure.
By 9:30 PM, laden with purchases, they returned to the hotel.
"I'd like a room, please." Nathan presented his ID to the receptionist.
Evelyn waited nearby, recalling how the same clerk had claimed no vacancies the previous night.
As expected, the receptionist looked up apologetically. "I'm sorry, sir. We're fully booked."
Nathan frowned before turning to Evelyn.
In the elevator, he proposed, "Could I stay in your room tonight? You take the bed, I'll take the couch."
Evelyn hesitated.
"I'm your boyfriend, Ev. After five years, don't you trust me yet?" Nathan's wounded expression filled her with guilt.
He had always treated her with respect, never pressuring her physically.
"Alright," she relented. "But just the couch."
Meanwhile, in the suite's dining area...
The Blackwood family sat together for a late supper.
Isabella devoured her fried chicken, tear stains still visible on her cheeks from her earlier tantrum.
Sebastian, abruptly summoned by his employer, stood awkwardly nearby.
"Has that design department rookie secured accommodations?" Dominic's tone gave nothing away.
Confused by his boss's sudden interest in a junior employee's lodging, Sebastian answered truthfully. "The hotel's fully booked. It appears he'll be staying with his girlfriend tonight."
A storm gathered in Dominic's eyes at this news - an emotion Sebastian rarely witnessed from his typically inscrutable employer.
Isabella pouted after finishing her meal. "I don't like mean Daddy!"
"Behave," Alexander chided.
"Mean Daddy! Mean Alex!" she retorted.
Sebastian intervened diplomatically. "How about I take you to visit Miss Evelyn? You could stay with her tonight."
Without waiting for permission, Isabella scrambled from her chair, determined to see her beloved Miss Ev.
Receiving no objection from Dominic, Sebastian escorted the girl from the suite toward Evelyn's room.
Before reaching her floor, his phone rang.
"Mr. Blackwood?" Sebastian answered, surprised.
After the call, though frowning, he had no choice but to follow orders.
Late that night, Abigail grumbled wearily in the car, "That Penelope Worthington is nothing but trouble! One day with her and we're all suffering. Why else would the boss order us to leave H City immediately? This goes beyond unreasonable - it's downright cruel! We've paid for the rooms, but he won't let us use them? Does he enjoy watching us suffer through this midnight exodus?"
Evelyn shared her exhaustion.
The boss's motives remained a mystery.
Nathan sat in the passenger seat while Gregory drove.
Back at the H City hotel...
Dominic stood alone on his balcony, cigarette in hand. Exhaling slowly, he allowed his carefully controlled mask to slip.
The business world knew him as impenetrable - a man without vulnerabilities.
The wine he'd consumed earlier left him slightly intoxicated.
Memories surfaced - her moans five years ago, her furious resistance last night. He laughed bitterly at himself before extinguishing the cigarette.
Next morning at H City International Airport...
Dominic's handsome face remained stormy throughout their departure.
Following behind, Sebastian couldn't help thinking: You might prevent them sharing a room in H City, sir, but you can't stop them returning to their shared home in A City.
After all, what right do you have to interfere?