Trapped in the boss's embrace (by Katrina A) novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123 I'm as Cold-Hearted as It Gets

Damian's laughter was dark velvet.

In your eyes, I'm the one who will lead you astray in love, right?

Beatrice didn't dare meet his gaze.

She lowered her head and said, "I've got things to do this afternoon. I'm going to have my lunch."

This time, without asking if she could leave, she resolutely turned and strode out of the room.

He was great, and his kiss had made her fall for him.

But he was the type of man who could charm any woman.

If he set his mind on winning a woman over, he'd succeed.

Winning someone's heart was easy for him. But she... no longer had the foolish courage to go against the world for a man.

*****

After returning to the restaurant, Beatrice collapsed into her chair, grabbing the nearest water glass.

The water did nothing to wash away the phantom pressure of Damian's lips or the cedar-and-iron scent clinging to her clothes.

She was still gulping mechanically when Violet's stage-whisper cut through the haze, "Twenty minutes? Damn, is Mr. Crowley that fast?"

Water sprayed across the table as Beatrice choked.

Ethan and Killian froze—forks mid-air—eyes darting between women like this was a live grenade.

Violet blinked innocently. "What? I meant their talk was short!" Her smirk said otherwise.

"Stop. Talking," Beatrice hissed, face flaming.

Ethan, ever the loyal attack dog, slammed his fist on the table. "Mr. Crowley can absolutely last longer than—Killian, back me up here!"

Killian buried his face in his hands. 

Why me?

Violet's grin turned feral. "Ohhh, both of you know his... endurance?"

She wiggled eyebrows. "Personal experience?"

Ethan shuddered at the last words and went quiet.

"Ethan, don't be shy." Violet reached to pinch his face.

"Violet!" Theodore yanked her hand back. "For God's sake, act your age!"

"You little rascal, you're asking for it!" Violet turned and pinched Theodore's face. "How dare you criticize me!"

Beatrice laughed and cried as she kept drinking water. Thanks to these "lively" friends, she was wide-awake now.

They had almost finished lunch, but Damian still hadn't shown up. It seemed that he wouldn't return.

Ethan's phone rang. He picked it up, uttered a quick response, then got up and stepped out of the restaurant. "I'm outside now. Go ahead," he said.

On the other end, Damian instructed, "You don't have to tail me this afternoon. Instead, keep a close watch on her and make sure she stays out of trouble."

"Mr. Crowley, I'm confused. Why not tell Beatrice about this? You're both aiming for the same goal, aren't you? Why the separate efforts?"

"She's reluctant to owe me. She's worried I'll use any kindness I show her to manipulate her. If she wants to handle things solo, let her. Let her do it her way."

"Alright, I think I catch your drift. With you having her back, Mr. Crowley, might as well let her have her space, right?"

"More or less."

"But Mr. Crowley, what exactly do you mean by 'using kindness to manipulate her'?"

"I'm hanging up. Call if something comes up." Damian promptly ended the call.

Ethan slid his phone back into his pocket and mulled over Damian's words as he walked.

Back in the restaurant, Beatrice took a seat beside Killian and inquired, "Mr. Crowley isn't here for a date. So what's his deal? Did he mention anything? Is he here to meet some big shot in secret?"

Killian replied, "Would you believe me if I said I'm just as clueless as you are?"

Beatrice nodded. "Sure, I do. You've got no reason to lie to me."

Killian counter-questioned her, "So, what are you and Ms. Hudson up to here? And you brought her little brother along. Gordon got the wrong idea when he saw you getting in the car this morning. We all thought you'd found a boyfriend."

Beatrice said, "Theodore's so young. There's no way I'd be interested in him romantically! Also, I don't want to lie, but I still have to keep my mission here under wraps."

Violet was left speechless.

Damian really is in a tough spot.

*****

The car traversed half of the city and pulled up at an unremarkable residential neighborhood.

There were security guards at the entrance, yet the iron gate stood wide open, allowing cars and electric scooters to come and go without hindrance. They drove in with ease.

Once inside, they had the freedom to park anywhere.

Theodore parked the car beside the grass near the building they were bound for. The four of them alighted from the vehicle.

Beatrice and Violet took the lead, with the two boys trailing behind.

The elevator dinged open on the 16th floor, revealing a dimly lit hallway.

Room 1603's door stood at the end, its brass numbers gleaming under the flickering fluorescent lights.

Violet pressed the doorbell—a sharp, intrusive chime that echoed down the silent corridor.

After a tense pause, the door creaked open.

A girl peered out, her frame slight, her posture tense. Her features were delicate—pretty, even—but the thick, centipede-like scar twisting down her left cheek stole all attention.

"Who—who are you looking for?" Her voice was thin, fingers instinctively flying up to shield the scar.

"You must be Nico, right?" Violet immediately recognized the girl before her.

Her looks were quite similar to the photo Violet had seen at school, save for that scar.

All Violet knew was that this girl had withdrawn from school right after Noah's incident, and she was completely unaware that the girl had been hurt, too.

A silent glance passed between Violet and Beatrice.

The same realization struck them.

Madeline fled Cloudia after scarring a girl's face.

And now, here's another scarred girl.