Chapter 6: Go to the Hotel

Sophie felt ice flood her veins. Mireille's bombshell echoed in her head, reverberating like thunder.

Her colleagues' probing stares pricked at her like needles, while Sebastian's ice-blue gaze sliced through her, threatening to cut her apart where she stood.

She could feel her composure crumbling, unable to meet Sebastian's eyes. Forcing a strained smile, she said, "No, no, she's drunk. She's got the wrong person.

"We did celebrate our birthdays here, and she was completely wasted that night. She thought one of the waiters was an escort. Today she probably saw Mr. Carter and confused him with that guy because of his… presence."

As she spoke, she dug her nails into Mireille's arm, hissing under her breath, "Are you trying to destroy me?"

Mireille finally grasped the magnitude of her mistake. Seeing Sebastian's glacial expression, her drunken haze lifted instantly. "Right, I got confused. Mr. Carter, please don't hold it against a drunk idiot like me."

Their colleagues rushed to smooth things over.

"Oh, that makes sense. You really had me going there for a second."

"Exactly. Our Mr. Carter, an escort? Miss, you've got quite the imagination."

The crisis seemed forcibly contained, but Sophie knew Sebastian wouldn't be fooled so easily.

She could feel his cold gaze boring into her back like a weight.

She didn't dare look up, her spine locked with tension.

The celebration's atmosphere shifted, becoming strained. Sophie excused herself to the restroom, splashing cold water on her face until her flushed cheeks finally cooled.

She wanted nothing more than to vanish, but as Sebastian's secretary, she had to stay until the end.

When she returned to the VIP section, Sebastian sat alone in the corner, his expression dark as he downed drink after drink.

The executives seemed to sense his foul mood and kept their distance.

Sophie steeled herself and approached, keeping her voice low. "Mr. Carter, you've had quite a bit. Should I arrange for you to get home?"

Sebastian didn't respond. Instead, his hand moved to his jacket pocket, retrieving something.

A moment later, a silver object appeared, spinning idly between his fingers.

When Sophie's eyes landed on it, her breath caught.

Emma's photo locket. The one she'd given Sophie.

The chain was broken, but that delicate silver casing was unmistakable.

How did Sebastian have it?

Her pulse pounded. The only explanation—it had fallen from her neck that night at the hotel, and he'd found it.

If he opened the locket and saw the photo of her and Emma inside…

Sophie couldn't let herself finish the thought.

She had to get it back before Sebastian discovered the truth.

She studied him through her lashes. His eyes looked unfocused, his movements sluggish from alcohol.

This might be her only chance to snatch the locket while his guard was down.

Sophie drew a steadying breath and moved closer under the pretense of refilling his glass, her fingers inching toward his hand.

Just as her fingertips nearly brushed the locket, a figure stepped between them.

"Sophie, what are you doing?" Emma appeared with a wine glass, her smile bright but her eyes calculating.

Sophie jerked her hand back, her heart nearly exploding from her chest. She straightened, forcing casualness into her posture. "I noticed Mr. Carter's had too much. I was going to suggest he head home."

Emma's gaze flicked between Sebastian and Sophie before she turned to Sebastian with a gentle voice. "Mr. Carter, you're clearly intoxicated. Let me take you home."

Sophie watched the scene unfold, emotions churning.

She had no idea Sebastian had mistaken the locket for Emma's.

With Emma here now, retrieving it had become impossible. Getting caught would be even worse—there'd be no way to explain.

She could only stand there, anxiety gnawing at her.

Then Emma turned to her. "Oh, Sophie, someone's looking for you at the entrance. Said she's family and it's urgent."

"Family?" Sophie froze. Why would her family show up at an Empire City bar?

"Yes, a middle-aged woman. She looked really worried." Emma's tone turned insistent. "You should go check. I'll take care of Mr. Carter."

Sophie's mind raced with questions, but the mention of family left no room for delay.

She pressed her lips together and glanced at Sebastian. "Mr. Carter, my family's here. May I…"

Her voice faded, afraid of his displeasure.

For once, whether from alcohol or something else, Sebastian didn't make things difficult. He waved her off dismissively.

Relief flooded Sophie. She nodded to Emma. "Thank you for looking after Mr. Carter."

She hurried toward the entrance.

Under the dim exterior lights, a familiar but haggard figure paced anxiously.

Sophie's steps faltered.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

The woman was her adoptive mother, Laura Scott.

Laura spotted her and lunged forward like a drowning person grasping for a lifeline, tears streaming down her face. "Sophie, you have to save your brother!"

"What happened to Jack?" Dread pooled in Sophie's stomach.

"He… he was drinking with some people a few days ago and somehow offended someone important. They took him!" Laura sobbed. "I've tried every connection I have, but no one knows anything. All I know is the person he crossed has serious power, and they're saying if he doesn't apologize and make amends, they'll lock him up for life!"

Sophie had been raised by her adoptive parents.

Jack might be irresponsible and constantly in trouble, but he was still family.

"Mom, calm down. What exactly happened? Who did he offend?"

"I don't know!" Laura fumbled in her bag, producing a crumpled business card. "They left this. Said you need to find this person. Only you can save your brother!"

Sophie took the card. When she saw Sebastian's name and title, the world tilted beneath her feet.

Meanwhile, back in the bar.

Emma supported Sebastian's unconscious weight, guiding him away from the noise and into a waiting taxi.

"Grand Globe Hotel," she told the driver, her eyes gleaming with determination.

In the hotel room, Emma struggled to maneuver Sebastian onto the bed.

His eyes remained closed, his handsome face flushed from alcohol, the usual coldness replaced by something dangerously attractive.

Emma's heart raced. She stared at Sebastian, moving closer step by step, unbuttoning her jacket, leaning down to capture his lips.