chapter 51

Dominic I carried her out of the room, her head resting against my chest as I moved through the corridor with steady, controlled steps.My guards outside stiffened immediately at the sight of me.I don't blame them. I mean, it was not often they saw me carry anyone.Their eyes flickered to Scarlett in my arms, then quickly averted their gaze when I shot them a single warning glance.None of them spoke.Good.I didn’t need questions.I needed silence.The car door was already opened by the time I reached it.I lowered Scarlett gently into the back seat before sliding in beside her.The moment I settled, I adjusted her carefully so her head rested on my lap instead of the seat.Her face turned slightly toward me.So peaceful now. As if the world outside had never dared to hurt her.My fingers moved almost without thought.A strand of hair had fallen across her cheek, I brushed it back slowly.Goddess, if the men I hired to secretly watch over her had not informed me earlier, who knows

chapter 52

Dominic The moment I reached my study, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a brief second, exhaling slowly as if the air itself had become too thick.Then I stripped off my jacket and shirt and stepped into the bathroom.The cold water hit my skin like punishment.It was necessary, exactly what I needed to quiet the storm building inside me.But even as the water ran over my body, my thoughts did not leave Scarlett.Her face when she had almost fallen.Her voice when she tried to resist them even while weakened.The way she had still tried to stand despite everything working against her.My hand clenched slightly against the wall.What were they thinking?Touching her.Harming her.Even breathing the same air around her.I shut my eyes tightly for a moment as the water continued to pour over me, forcing my breathing to steady.When I finally stepped out, I wrapped a towel around my waist and exhaled once more, calmer now, though not entirely at ease.I pulled on dar

chapter 53

Scarlett's POVA soft groan escaped my lips before I even opened my eyes.My head felt as though someone had taken a hammer to it all night.Goddess...Why did it hurt so much?I slowly lifted a hand and pressed my fingers against my throbbing temple, squeezing my eyes shut as another wave of pain washed over me."What happened...?"The memories came back in scattered pieces.The dinner, the investors, the wine, their smiles, their hands...Then... Dominic.My eyes flew open.For a moment, I simply stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above me.This wasn't my room.It certainly wasn't my mansion.I frowned and slowly pushed myself into a sitting position, wincing immediately as my head protested."Where am I?"My gaze wandered around the room.The bedroom was breathtaking.Everything was decorated in shades of white, charcoal, and deep walnut. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked a magnificent private garden, allowing the gentle morning sunlight to pour into the room. The curtains were mad

chapter 54

ScarlettI leaned back against the soft leather seat as the car pulled away from Dominic's mansion.Without realizing it, my fingers slowly drifted toward my lips.A smile... I was still smiling.Goddess...What was wrong with me?I had replayed our breakfast together at least five times during the short drive.The way he had quietly filled my plate.The concern in his voice whenever he looked at me.The gentle smile that somehow managed to calm every storm inside my heart.No one had ever looked after me that way.Not once.Not even during my years with Killian.For so many years, I had convinced myself that love meant giving endlessly without expecting anything in return.Now...Someone had shown me what it felt like to be the one receiving that care.It felt... Strange, comforting, and dangerous.I shook my head softly before looking out through the window.No.I could not allow myself to become distracted.There was still too much to do.Only two days remained before the deadline.

chapter 55

Scarlett A few minutes later, I made my way toward the research laboratory.The atmosphere inside immediately energized me.Scientists moved confidently between workstations.Computers displayed complex molecular models.Large glass chambers reflected bright laboratory lights.The entire room buzzed with quiet excitement.The moment Emma noticed me, she hurried over. "Luna... We're ready."Daniel joined her moments later, carrying several reports."We completed the calibration an hour ago."Benjamin adjusted his safety glasses before smiling. "The compound remained stable throughout every preliminary analysis."Sophia could barely contain her excitement."We've all been waiting for you."I smiled at each of them. "Then let's begin."Everyone immediately took their assigned positions.The laboratory gradually fell silent.Rachel carefully transferred the completed serum into the primary testing chamber.Daniel activated the monitoring system.Benjamin calibrated the pressure controls.

chapter 56

Scarlett As we stepped into the hallway, I did not look back.I already knew what I would find if I did. And a very calculated attempt to make me break.But I was not the same woman who once accepted silence as defeat.By the time I returned to my office, the exhaustion of the day finally began to settle in my bones.The events of the laboratory, the meeting that never happened, the quiet war being built around me.I loosened my coat and sank into my chair for a brief moment.My secretary placed the files gently on my desk.“I’ll be outside if you need me, Luna.”“Thank you,” I replied softly.When she left, silence filled the room.For a while, I simply sat there.Then I stood, walked to the window, and allowed myself a single deep breath.The city stretched beyond the glass, alive and indifferent.But inside me… Something sharper was forming... Determination.Hours passed quietly as I reviewed documents and updated reports, trying to steady my mind.Eventually, I left the office..