Chapter 23: More Trouble Than He's Worth

The car's interior was spacious, but Sebastian's presence loaded it with an unspoken weight that made the air feel thick and close.

Sophie had barely fastened her seatbelt when a folder appeared in front of her.

"The A City project materials. Familiarize yourself on the drive."

"Yes, Mr. Carter." She took the folder and opened to the first page.

The car pulled smoothly out of the parking garage and slipped into the morning traffic. Sophie watched the cityscape slide past the window, then stole a glance at Sebastian, his focus locked on the road ahead.

Today, he seemed... different. Less distant. Almost approachable.

To ease the awkward silence—and to mask the unease churning in her stomach—she searched for something to say. She settled on the kind of harmless flattery an assistant might offer. "Mr. Carter, you're so thoughtful. Whoever becomes your wife will be very lucky."

The words left her mouth, and she immediately wanted to take them back.

What was she thinking? Why would she say that?

Stupid.

Sebastian's fingers tightened on the steering wheel. He turned his head sharply, those ice-blue eyes locking onto hers with a look so piercing it felt like he could see straight through her.

The air seemed to vanish from the car.

Sophie's scalp prickled. Heat crept up her neck to her ears. She wanted to bite her own tongue off.

She braced herself to be thrown out on the side of the road.

But Sebastian only looked away, his gaze returning to the street ahead.

The suffocating silence that followed was worse than any reprimand.

Finally, he spoke, his voice colder than the morning wind outside. "If you have that much free time, put it toward your work."

He paused, then added with unmistakable mockery, "Memorize the data on page three."

The command was delivered from a height she could never reach.

"Yes, Mr. Carter." Sophie dropped her eyes to the folder, burying her face in the pages. She didn't say another word.

So much for thoughtful. She'd been a fool to read anything into it.

He didn't need someone who made small talk. He needed someone who executed flawlessly.

Sophie silently cursed herself for the slip, then forced every stray emotion back into a locked box. She became, once again, the impeccable assistant.

The car fell silent except for the soft rustle of turning pages. The A City project file was thick, detailed, clearly Aiden's work. Sophie forced herself to focus, pushing down the nausea rolling in her stomach.

She read quickly, picking out the key points with practiced efficiency. When she reached the section listing the project liaison, her finger paused.

George Carter. Board member of the Carter Group.

She remembered the family tree from her onboarding training. George was Sebastian's uncle.

This trip wasn't just about closing a deal. It was about something deeper. Power plays within wealthy families were always the most dangerous currents in corporate life. One wrong step as Sebastian's assistant, and she'd drown.

Sophie closed the folder and considered her next move. She turned slightly toward him, keeping her tone purely professional. "Mr. Carter, I see the contact is Mr. George Carter. What's our primary objective for this trip?"

It was a careful question—focused on work, not personal matters, but necessary for her to do her job properly.

Sebastian kept his eyes on the road, his hands steady on the wheel, fingers long and precise. He didn't seem surprised by the question. A good assistant had to read the room.

"Him?" A cold smile ghosted across his lips, laced with contempt. "More trouble than he's worth."

The assessment was sharp and direct. Sophie understood immediately. Sebastian didn't see George as a partner to be courted. He saw him as a problem to be managed.

She got the message. This "collaboration" was more about sending a warning than building a relationship. She didn't press further. Instead, she reopened the file and committed the critical data points and potential risks to memory.

The car ate up the miles. Hours later, they arrived in A City.

The vehicle came to a smooth stop in front of the city's most exclusive hotel. A doorman rushed forward to open the door. Sebastian handed his keys to the valet and strode toward the lobby. Sophie grabbed her small suitcase and briefcase, hurrying to keep pace.

The front desk manager clearly recognized Sebastian. He approached with a broad, deferential smile. "Mr. Carter, welcome. Your room is ready. The usual—top floor executive suite."

He held out a keycard.

Sebastian reached for it, but Sophie stepped forward first, offering the manager a polite smile. "Excuse me, could we get a second room, please?"

The manager blinked, his gaze flicking between Sebastian and Sophie. The handsome, cold man and the polished, elegant woman who'd arrived together in a luxury car—anyone would draw conclusions. His smile turned knowing, almost apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Carter. We're hosting a major business summit today. Every room is fully booked."

Mrs. Carter.

The words hit Sophie like a live wire. Her face went hot, heat creeping up her neck to her ears. She waved her hands quickly. "No, you've misunderstood. I'm not—I'm Mr. Carter's assistant."

The manager's smile froze. He looked awkwardly at Sebastian.

Sebastian's brow furrowed slightly. He wasn't bothered by the title. He was annoyed by the disruption to his plans. He hated when things didn't go as scheduled.

"No other rooms?" His voice was flat and cold.

"None, Mr. Carter." The manager wiped his forehead nervously. "Not even a standard room. We're completely full."

Sophie felt trapped between impossible options. Sharing a room with her boss—how would that look? How could she face anyone at the office if word got out? And she was pregnant.

She opened her mouth to suggest finding another hotel, but Sebastian had already taken the keycard from the manager's hand. His tone left no room for argument. "Fine."

He turned and walked toward the elevator without a backward glance.

Sophie stood frozen. Guests passing through the lobby cast curious glances her way, their stares prickling her skin. She bit her lip, then grabbed her suitcase and followed him, head down.

Inside the elevator, the small space made the awkwardness feel suffocating. Sophie stared at the polished floor, wishing she could disappear into it.

The elevator chimed softly as it reached the top floor.

Sebastian swiped the card and pushed the door open, stepping inside first. The suite was enormous—floor-to-ceiling windows framing A City's skyline, a living area, bedroom, and study all decorated in the minimalist, cool tones Sebastian favored.

His gaze swept the room, finally settling on the plush sofa in the living area.

"You take the bed." He shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over the armrest, his tone matter-of-fact.

Sophie froze, her head snapping up to look at him.

Sebastian had already moved to the small bar, pouring himself a glass of water. His profile was sharp under the crystal chandelier. He seemed completely unbothered by the arrangement, as if he were merely stating the obvious.