Chapter 209

Dominic's office door flew open as Lucas stormed in, his usually composed features twisted with agitation.

"Evelyn! It was Nathan who started everything!" Lucas blurted out, his stormy gray eyes flashing with barely contained frustration. "We were just having drinks at first when his knee brushed against mine under the table. If it meant nothing, why did he keep doing it? That's clearly flirting!"

Evelyn's cheeks burned crimson.

"Maybe Nathan was just testing the waters to see if you're into men," Lucas offered awkwardly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

But Lucas wasn't having any of it. "How was I supposed to know what he really wanted? Besides, he seemed to be enjoying himself plenty that night!"

The room plunged into stunned silence.

Dominic calmly lifted his water glass and took a slow sip.

Lucas followed suit, the ice cubes clinking loudly in the tense quiet.

Evelyn quickly changed the subject. "Did you ever hack into Willowbrook Academy's systems? And what about the security breach at Blackwood Group last month?"

Lucas raised both hands in surrender. "Not me! I'd own up to it if I did. Sure, my hacking skills are legendary, but this wasn't my doing." His gaze flicked meaningfully to Evelyn.

His eyes clearly said: "It was your kid."

Evelyn's mouth went dry. After an awkward pause, she forced a bright smile. "So... I haven't had lunch yet. Anyone hungry? My treat!"

She'd do anything to protect her son, even if it meant suffering through a meal with Dominic and Lucas.

"There's this amazing Mexican place down the street—"

Lucas shot Dominic a look and decided to help his boss save face. "Miss Thorne, actually—"

"Didn't you say you've been craving authentic Mexican?" Dominic smoothly cut in before Lucas could finish. "We'd love to join you."

Lucas blinked in confusion. Since when did he like Mexican food?

"Serves him right for putting me in this position," Lucas thought darkly.

"Could you set up a meeting with Nathan for me? We need to talk," Lucas asked, clearly uninterested in the lunch invitation.

"If you want to see him so badly, just go to Blackwood Group headquarters. I doubt you'll try anything funny on our turf," Lucas said pointedly.

Lucas looked genuinely offended. "I never forced him! At first he seemed hesitant, sure, but then he—"

Evelyn cut him off sharply. "Go apologize immediately! And if I hear about you harassing him again—"

"Yes, ma'am," Lucas mumbled, suddenly meek.

At the restaurant, Evelyn ordered several house specialties before passing the menu to Lucas, who handed it to Dominic without looking.

"I thought you loved Mexican food?" Evelyn asked pointedly.

"Dominic's a fan too," Lucas said with a smirk.

Evelyn swallowed hard. "So... how bad was the damage from that hacking incident?"

Both men had seen Lucas's silent communication with Evelyn earlier. Whoever the hacker was, they were clearly connected to her.

"Catastrophic," Lucas said gravely. "We lost a nine-figure contract that day—some competitor swooped in last minute. Worse yet, all the critical files on Dominic's personal computer were wiped clean. We're tracking down the perpetrator as we speak. When we find them, they'll face both civil and criminal charges."

Evelyn went pale.

Dominic took pity on her. "He's exaggerating. The financial loss is manageable, and I had backups of all essential files. But the hacker's taunting message did piss me off. When I find them, I'll make sure they regret it." His icy tone left no doubt about the seriousness of his threat.