Chapter 288

Evelyn's lips curled into a mocking smile, her eyes glinting with dangerous intensity.

"Even an executive assistant dares to act this arrogantly. It makes me question Sterling Enterprises' sincerity."

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a lethal whisper. "But let me give you some friendly advice - if you dare to make a move, be prepared to face the consequences."

Without waiting for a response, Evelyn spun on her heel and strode away.

Giselle barely suppressed an eye roll. She'd dealt with countless entitled women trying to intimidate her during her corporate career. Evelyn's threats meant nothing.

Exiting Sterling Enterprises' headquarters, Evelyn slid into the backseat of her waiting car. She pulled out her phone, absently scrolling through a mobile game.

Meanwhile, an oppressive silence had fallen over the boardroom.

Harrison sat motionless at the head of the table, his thunderous expression making the temperature seem to drop several degrees. Donovan Prescott discreetly wiped his damp palms on his trousers.

"Mr. Whitmore," Donovan ventured cautiously, "are there any concerns regarding our proposed collaboration?"

Harrison didn't answer.

His gaze dropped to his platinum wristwatch.

Twenty-three minutes. Evelyn should have arrived by now.

The heavy doors burst open as Maxwell rushed in, his face tight with concern. "Sir, Ms. Carter isn't in the building. Security confirms she left nearly twenty minutes ago."

Harrison was on his feet before Maxwell finished speaking. He was already dialing as he strode toward the exit, leaving bewildered executives in his wake.

Vivienne scrambled after him. "Mr. Whitmore! We haven't concluded our meeting—"

He ignored her completely. The persistent ringing on the other end of the line made his jaw clench.

Evelyn never ignored his calls. Never disappeared without notice. Something was wrong.

"Have you seen Evelyn?" Harrison demanded abruptly.

Vivienne's breath hitched. She'd only instructed Giselle to delay Evelyn's entry to the meeting. She hadn't anticipated Harrison's intense reaction.

"I—I came straight here with you," Vivienne stammered. "How would I know where Ms. Carter went?"

Harrison jabbed the elevator button, his expression turning glacial.

"Mr. Whitmore, if something's happened to Ms. Carter, perhaps I can—"

"Unnecessary." The single word carried finality.

As the elevator doors closed, Vivienne whirled around to find Giselle. "What the hell did you do?"

Giselle whispered frantically, and Vivienne's face drained of color.

"I told you to stall her, not chase her out of the building!"

"You said to handle it, Ms. Chambers!" Giselle protested.

Vivienne's manicured nails dug into her palms. "Harrison just abandoned a multimillion-dollar negotiation to look for her. This isn't some random assistant we're dealing with."

Realization dawned on Giselle's face, followed by sheer panic.

If this got out, her career at Sterling Enterprises was over.

"What do I do? I may have...insulted her."

"You incompetent fool!" Vivienne hissed. "If this gets traced back to us—"

Giselle clutched at Vivienne's sleeve desperately. "Please, you have to help me!"

"Stop making a scene!" Vivienne snapped, shaking her off.

Giselle's voice turned pleading. "Ms. Chambers, if you help me now, I'll owe you everything."