Chapter 140

Evelyn's cheeks bore faint crimson marks that stood out starkly against her pale skin.

Abigail sat closest to Dominic in the conference room, clutching a signing pen so tightly her knuckles turned white. She avoided eye contact more than usual today.

The air conditioning blasted at full power, yet when Dominic's expression darkened, the temperature seemed to drop further. An invisible frost spread through the room, freezing everyone's expressions.

"What happened to your face?"

His calm question sliced through the tense silence.

No one dared respond.

With their department head absent, Abigail swallowed hard and explained, "A male colleague suddenly lashed out and struck Evelyn across the face with a stack of folders."

Evelyn lifted her head during this formal meeting. "It's nothing serious. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Blackwood."

Abigail's heart skipped a beat at Evelyn's distant tone.

She risked a glance at Dominic's face. The handsome features twisted with barely contained fury... No, this was beyond anger. Pure rage.

"Nathan?"

After an agonizing silence, Dominic spoke the name.

The room nodded collectively.

Dominic's eyes darkened further as he addressed everyone in a dangerously low voice, "Anyone who drugs female colleagues during company events will face the full consequences."

The female employees remained composed while innocent male colleagues trembled.

One man's actions - Nathan's - had tainted them all.

Dominic's icy gaze swept across the male employees. "Those who wish to spend time behind bars may continue such behavior in my company."

Abigail exhaled in relief.

Perhaps Mr. Blackwood would finally release Evelyn from this torment.

The meeting ended abruptly.

Previously, the CEO never held direct meetings with design department staff. Occasionally their department head might see him, usually bearing the brunt of Dominic's anger.

Since Evelyn joined, the entire design department had become the company's punching bag. They saw their formidable CEO almost daily now.

As employees filed out, another team walked with slumped shoulders.

Dominic needed an outlet for his fury.

Though only Nathan had committed the offense, the entire team suffered collateral damage. Collective punishment.

None dared question their boss's wrath. They bowed their heads, silently cursing Nathan. How dare that bastard drug a colleague? His actions caused this uproar, resulting in each receiving individual reprimands.

Most humiliating? These senior employees - old enough to be grandfathers - endured scolding like misbehaving children without uttering a word in defense.

Rumors said wealthy men had twisted psyches. A powerful, unmarried billionaire like Dominic Blackwood must harbor the most perverse mind.

Best not provoke him further.

As Evelyn prepared to leave, Sebastian stopped her at the conference room door. He'd been sent on a mission - failure wasn't an option.

Abigail noticed and immediately abandoned her protégé, secretly hoping Evelyn would soon find herself securely in Dominic's grasp - whether in his pocket or between his teeth.

What would he do to her on her second day...?

Evelyn nodded numbly and followed Sebastian upstairs.

After delivering her and setting out a first aid kit, Sebastian departed.

Dominic pulled the motionless Evelyn into his arms.

She startled upright. "I thought this was work-related."

"Are women always this inconsistent?" Dominic rose, retrieving antiseptic and cotton swabs. He moistened a swab, pulled her close, and gently dabbed at her cheek marks.

His breath cooled the stinging marks as he worked.

The burning sensation gradually faded under his ministrations.

Evelyn relaxed slightly, allowing the treatment.

Only their breathing filled the office. Dominic lowered his head. "Why so docile now? Imagining me as your brother again?"

Evelyn flushed crimson.

"Tell me, is this some fetish? Do you enjoy...transgressing moral boundaries?" Dominic's free hand settled on her waist. Before she could react, he pulled her close, closing his eyes as he captured her lips. His breathing grew ragged as he deepened the kiss. "I can play the brother role..."

Evelyn shook her head. 'Not like this...'

She never wanted this.

She meant an actual blood-related brother.

Not these twisted games he imagined.

"My face hurts. Please..." Evelyn couldn't continue. Words only worsened things. She struggled against his embrace and kiss, desperate to escape this cage.

Back in design, Abigail noticed Evelyn's return and suppressed a smile.

Dominic worked miracles. Evelyn had left in despair but returned with flushed cheeks and swollen lips.

Evelyn forced herself to focus until quitting time.

She might have been the first to bolt from the office, crossing to the subway before rush hour.

Her phone rang persistently before she noticed.

Answering an unknown number, she froze.

Panicked scanning revealed an approaching Porsche Cayenne. The caller hung up.

Maxwell rolled down the window. "Get in. I might help find your grandfather."

Evelyn's body went numb, mind blank.

Maxwell clearly knew Grandpa's whereabouts. Yet that "might"...

"If you're bored, find someone else to torment." Evelyn gripped her phone tightly, fighting for composure.

Maxwell paused, large hands on the steering wheel. He lifted two passports. "Yours and mine. If I said I got yours from your grandfather, would you believe me?"

Seeing the passports, Evelyn's grip trembled.

Maxwell displayed hers.

It was authentic.

"Though I have Civil Affairs Bureau connections, we should arrive before closing to avoid inconveniencing them." Maxwell exited swiftly, embracing her like a dutiful husband. His tone hovered between affection and threat: "Defy an ex-convict, lose the grandfather who raised you."

Evelyn gritted her teeth, struggling against his grip, regarding him like a monster.

Maxwell maintained his hold. "I need a wife, and time's short. Either we register our marriage by six, or collect your grandfather's corpse after. Your choice."