Chapter 378

At the summit's VIP lounge, Michael Sterling and Nathan Cross had been locked in a heated debate for nearly half an hour, both men visibly drained from the exchange.

"You're being completely irrational!" Nathan adjusted his designer glasses with an irritated flick of his wrist.

Michael let out a derisive laugh. "You lose all objectivity whenever Dominic Blackwood is mentioned. Maybe you should examine why you're so obsessed with your boss? He's not your father, for God's sake!"

Nathan's jaw tightened. "That's rich coming from you! Since when do you care who Mr. Blackwood invests in? If he chose to fund Margaret Thorne's company, it's because she brings value to the table. Not everything is personal!"

"Consider our drinks canceled from now on!" Michael snapped, his voice cutting through the lounge. "If you're siding with Margaret Thorne, then we have nothing more to discuss. My loyalty lies with Evelyn!"

Nathan's face flushed crimson. "Fine! Who needs your friendship anyway?"

The two men stormed off in opposite directions to locate their respective bosses.

Ten minutes later, a panicked Michael circled back. "I can't find Evelyn anywhere! Where's Dominic?"

Nathan shrugged, checking his watch. "No idea. He didn't share his schedule. We came for the summit, obviously."

"Evelyn was supposed to deliver a keynote speech!" Michael frantically dialed her number, only to get her voicemail. "Her phone's off. This isn't like her."

Nathan smirked. "You really think Mr. Blackwood would attend as just another audience member? If they're both missing..."

"Of course I know they're together!" Michael exploded. "That bastard Dominic must have kidnapped her!"

"Must you always be so vulgar?" Nathan shot back. "Relax. Mr. Blackwood is meticulous about time. He'll be back before—"

Michael took several deep breaths, forcing himself to wait.

Thirty minutes later, with the summit already twenty minutes behind schedule, there was still no sign of either Dominic or Evelyn.

Were they not in such a public setting, Michael might have grabbed Nathan by his expensive tie to demand what exactly he meant by Dominic being "meticulous about time."

Their attention snapped to the stage as applause erupted. Margaret Thorne ascended the podium with practiced grace, her smile radiating confidence as she bowed to the audience.

"It's an honor to address such distinguished entrepreneurs today," Margaret began, her voice smooth as silk. "At Wonder Technology, we believe innovation should transform lives at every socioeconomic level—not just the privileged few."

As Margaret launched into her polished speech, Michael made a snap decision. He marched toward the event coordinator, determined to represent Evelyn's company himself.

He wouldn't let Margaret steal this moment.

Meanwhile, in the Oceanview Grand Hotel's presidential suite...

Evelyn had attempted three times to rise from the bed, only to be pinned back down each time by Dominic's muscular frame. The thin satin sheet between them did little to preserve her modesty.

"Why is he being so insufferable?" she fumed silently. "Does he enjoy sabotaging my professional commitments?"

"These events are exhausting," Dominic murmured against the delicate skin of her neck, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "Aren't you tired?"

She shoved his head away. "I'd be less tired if you weren't crushing me into this mattress!"

Dominic finally relented at her labored breathing, rolling onto his side to admire her flushed cheeks. "Let's have dinner."

"Our arrangement begins and ends in bed," Evelyn retorted, scrambling up. "We're not close enough for shared meals."

"You're already late," Dominic countered coldly, watching as she gathered her scattered clothing. "Rushing now won't help."

"I'd rather go stare at the sun than spend another minute here." She dressed with deliberate slowness, each garment a silent protest.

Dominic's mood darkened instantly. They dressed in tense silence on opposite sides of the lavish bed.

As Evelyn fastened her watch, she hesitated before voicing the question burning in her mind. "Dominic... did you really invest in Margaret's company?"

He finished adjusting his cufflinks and met her gaze with narrowed eyes. "I thought our relationship was strictly physical? We're not in bed anymore."