Chapter 144

"Ugh, Victoria again."

Dominic's brows furrowed in clear displeasure.

"I should have her transferred back to headquarters immediately."

Evelyn nearly choked on her own breath. Is this really how a CEO treats his employees?

"Even if you send her away, I'll still have other colleagues. You can't expect me to work alone. What if my new supervisor is a man? Then—"

Before she could finish, Dominic yanked her toward him, pinning her against the bed.

His gaze darkened as he feigned anger. "You wouldn't dare."

Evelyn couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course I wouldn't. Compared to that, Victoria suddenly seems like the better option, doesn't she?"

"Hmph." He scoffed but shifted slightly, easing his weight off her.

Fingers threading through her hair, he murmured, "Let's make this public."

Her smile faltered. She shook her head.

"Just a little longer."

Dominic exhaled sharply but didn't argue.

He respected her choice, even if it frustrated him.

At first, their secret marriage hadn't bothered him.

What did it matter? They were already bound together—public or private made no difference to him.

But hiding their relationship? That grated on him. It wasn't exhilarating. It was suffocating.

"I'm literally downstairs. You can see me whenever you want."

Evelyn cupped his cheek, her voice softening. "Besides, I won't be here forever. We have our whole lives ahead of us."

A slow, knowing smirk curled his lips.

"You're right. We do have forever."

Something in his tone made her pause.

Then it clicked.

Her cheeks burned.

"You're disgusting!"

She shoved him aside and scrambled off the bed.

The next morning, golden sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Vanessa stirred, blinking against the brightness.

The breathtaking view outside momentarily distracted her from the dull ache in her limbs—proof of last night's intensity.

He promised to take me to Laurentia. To introduce me to the finest perfumers. To make me one of the best.

A hand suddenly clamped around her wrist, yanking her back down.

"Ah—!"

Before she could react, Lucien loomed over her, his blue eyes piercing.

Fear prickled down her spine.

"L-Lucien, I'm—I'm tired. Can I shower first?"

His grip tightened.

"You don't get to refuse."