Chapter 377

The gilded invitation lay perfectly centered on the polished mahogany desk.

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly as she broke the wax seal and unfolded the thick parchment.

An exclusive summit invitation from the International Business Consortium.

Michael appeared at her office door just as she finished reading. "You don't have to attend if—" "I'm going," she interrupted, reaching for her clutch.

She pulled out a tube of crimson lipstick and carefully applied it before the antique mirror.

Michael's eyebrows shot up. "Someone's feeling feisty today. That shade is... bold. You usually prefer those soft pinks that make you look like some delicate flower."

He stepped closer, admiring her transformation. "But this? This makes you look like you could conquer nations. Victoria wouldn't stand a chance even with an army behind her."

Evelyn snapped her compact shut and turned to face him. "Are you coming with me or not?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll drive."

The grand ballroom overflowed with industry titans and political elites when they arrived. Before Evelyn could take three steps inside, a staff member whisked her backstage.

"Miss Thorne, we need you to deliver the opening keynote. Twenty minutes. Do you have prepared remarks?"

She nodded automatically, then realized Michael had vanished into the crowd.

No prepared speech. No notes. Just thirty minutes until showtime.

Stepping through the velvet curtains, Evelyn gasped at the sea of faces stretching to the horizon. She fumbled for her phone when suddenly—iron fingers clamped around her wrist.

Her pulse skyrocketed as she whirled to face her captor.

Dominic's personal security detail. Which meant...

Her gaze darted across the room where Michael and Nathan stood nose-to-nose near the champagne fountain. If Nathan was here...

"Release me!" She wrenched her arm free, glaring daggers at the bodyguard. "I know how to walk, thank you very much."

The stone-faced man stepped back. "No funny business."

"Where is he?" Her breath came in shallow gasps as adrenaline flooded her veins.

The summit would begin in thirty minutes. This was no coincidence—Dominic had orchestrated this.

Silent as a shadow, the bodyguard led her through a maze of corridors to a private suite. The door clicked open.

She squared her shoulders and entered.

The slam of the door behind her echoed like a gunshot.

"What do you want?" Her clutch creaked under her white-knuckled grip as she faced the man lounging on the divan.

Dominic's predatory gaze traveled slowly from her stilettos to her freshly painted lips. "Finished with your little monthly inconvenience, I presume?"

"I have a speech to deliver." Her heel caught on the plush carpet as she retreated toward the door. "If this is about sex, come back tonight."

In one fluid motion, he crossed the room and captured her chin between his fingers. "I'm tired of nighttime," his gravelly voice sent shivers down her spine. "Let's try something new... daylight suits you far better."