Chapter 184

The design team's gazes instantly snapped toward Seraphina Prescott.

If this was truly the result of her pillow talk... Seraphina had serious influence!

A nearby couple began whispering. "Mr. Blackwood's always so distant and intimidating," the man murmured. "For him to show up at a company outing just because Seraphina whispered in his ear? That's insane."

His girlfriend rolled her eyes. "You really don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?" He looked genuinely confused.

She scoffed. "It means no man - not even a powerful CEO - can resist a seductive little minx. Satisfy them in bed, and they'll move mountains for you."

"Jesus," the man grimaced. "We're discussing business here. Why attack me?"

"Because if even our stone-cold boss falls for this, what hope is there for losers like you who spend all day gossiping?" She punctuated her words with a sharp elbow to his ribs.

Evelyn Sinclair sat on a boulder, massaging her cramped leg. She gritted her teeth against the pain.

The physical discomfort already had her on edge. Now this bickering couple was making things worse.

Their argument escalated.

The clueless boyfriend grabbed his girlfriend's arm. "Go find out if it's true. If Seraphina really has that kind of influence, you should start carrying her bags and fetching her drinks. Easy way to get ahead with a boss who thinks with his-"

"Idiot!" The girl spun away in disgust.

Evelyn heard every word.

Clearly, no one cared about being overheard. The entire office was thinking the same thing - they just weren't saying it aloud.

The girlfriend's crude insult didn't embarrass Evelyn. If anything, it sounded like sweet music.

Meanwhile, Seraphina blushed furiously. Watching Dominic Blackwood converse with department heads, she confided to a colleague, "I never expected this. I just mentioned it in passing last night, and he actually... came..."

Her coy demeanor and suggestive words confirmed everyone's suspicions. His presence was entirely due to her nocturnal persuasion.

Evelyn lowered her head.

"Mr. Blackwood is the perfect boyfriend!" someone squealed.

Female colleagues swarmed Seraphina, their envy palpable.

Olivia Kensington overheard the exchange. She shot an angry glance at Evelyn.

What the hell was happening?

Since when had their CEO become Seraphina's bedmate?

And pillow talk? Disgusting.

With so many people around, Olivia couldn't confront Evelyn directly.

A sudden applause erupted from the adjacent department. Then Dominic Blackwood approached, radiating authority.

Two imposing bodyguards flanked him. Sebastian Whitmore followed slightly behind, frowning as he briefed his boss.

"The CEO's here. Straighten up," the female department head reminded everyone sharply.

They couldn't look like a pack of hungry wolves.

This was the design department, not some desperate dating pool.

Everyone adjusted their swimwear hastily. Some wrapped themselves in towels; others threw on cover-ups.

Evelyn loved swimming - it helped her manage stress. But this was her first autumn outdoor swim in the city.

Her wet hair dripped as she stood. The cold water had triggered intermittent leg cramps, leaving her too distracted to care about appearances.

She wrapped the company-provided towel around herself.

It barely covered her thighs. Seeking warmth, Evelyn crouched low, hugging her knees.

The position eased her cramping calves.

Dominic's deep voice carried from meters away. After a long moment, Evelyn finally looked up.

Several pairs of bare legs surrounded her.

Everyone had covered their torsos, but little else.

If Seraphina wasn't lying, Evelyn thought bitterly, this revelation should stab through her heart. Instead, her legs cramped harder.

Her mood couldn't get worse.

The field fell silent as Dominic spoke. Even those familiar with his voice seemed stunned.

Then everyone noticed his intense gaze sweeping the crowd.

A colleague nudged Seraphina. "He's looking at you! Oh my God, he's totally smitten!"

"Every great man has a weakness," another gushed. "Teach us your secrets! You've snagged the city's most eligible bachelor!"

Seraphina basked in their admiration.

"He's coming!" someone hissed.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea.

The department head and Abigail Thornton waited calmly to see what would happen.

Standing at the back, Seraphina wondered what had prompted Dominic's sudden interest. Had he finally recognized the... pleasures a nineteen-year-old could offer?

She discreetly adjusted her swimsuit to reveal more cleavage, then bit her lip demurely.

Her heart raced as she sensed Dominic approaching.

But then...

He walked right past her.

The colleagues who'd believed Seraphina's story gaped in shock.

"Von...?" her friends whispered in confusion.

Olivia exchanged glances with Abigail. Had Seraphina's lies finally backfired?

What an epic self-own.