Chapter 41
The stench of cigar smoke assaulted Evelyn's senses, making her recoil instinctively. She shifted seats to put distance between herself and Trevor Maddox.
When she looked up, the yellow stains on Trevor's teeth made her stomach churn.
Middle-aged men might appear decent from afar, but up close? Disgusting.
"What's this about? You're keeping me prisoner now?" She held her breath, refusing to share the same air with this creep.
"First you divorce Mr. Sterling, then immediately cozy up to Kingsley Industries' president? Making waves the moment you return to Kingsley Heights? Impressive, Ms. Carter."
Evelyn arched an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Did you drag me here just to compliment me?"
"Hardly. I'm curious what it's like to bed someone Nathan Sterling has had." Trevor's leer was unmistakable as his eyes raked over her.
Days ago, she'd humiliated him publicly. He'd assumed that was the end of it. Then she'd proceeded to eviscerate every department with pinpoint critiques.
Her rise threatened him.
Evelyn scoffed. "I had no idea you missed me so desperately."
"How far can women really go on merit? Without bedroom skills, you'd never have climbed so high." His misogyny hung thick in the air.
Evelyn wondered if Kingsley Industries' HR department needed vision tests. How else could trash like this get hired?
"Besides, I want the juicy details about your marriage to Sterling. Especially what you were like between the sheets. Sound good?"
"That desperate to hear it?" Evelyn's smirk widened as she scanned their surroundings. "Too public here. Not exactly appropriate."
"Don't fret, Ms. Carter. I've prepared for that." Trevor's grin turned predatory as he produced a keycard for the luxury hotel across the street. "Been looking forward to this."
"You claim I'm in Mr. Kingsley's favor. Aren't you worried I'll tell him about this?" Evelyn's mocking gaze dissected Trevor, searching for cracks.
Sure enough, his expression faltered momentarily before he recovered with a laugh. "You're just a secretary who happened to marry Sterling. Why would our president care? You're disposable. Once he's bored, why shouldn't his employees have a turn?"
The man had audacity, she'd give him that.
"Brilliant analysis, Mr. Maddox." Evelyn sipped her wine, smile intact.
"Your position's still unstable since you just started. Get inside Barnes Medical's development project, and Mr. Kingsley will take you seriously."
"Are you finally sharing that insider info about Langley Group?" Evelyn feigned nervousness to play along.
"Depends how eager you are." By now, Trevor had mentally stripped her multiple times. "After I'm done with you, you'll get what's coming, you bitch," he thought.
Nearby, Gregory Hammond found their interaction suspicious. He elbowed Nathan. "Check it out. Your ex is getting cozy with her coworker. Looks like she's seducing him."
"Everything looks like seduction to your dirty mind. Shut it," Nathan warned.
Gregory pouted but stuffed his mouth with food, falling silent. They'd planned a simple dinner, not expecting to encounter Evelyn and Trevor.
When Nathan saw them, his gaze turned arctic. But when they headed for the hotel, that cold fury ignited into white-hot rage.
She'd actually gotten a hotel room? How could she move on so shamelessly after their divorce?