Chapter 51
Seraphine's POV
My phone lay silent on the table.
The screen glowed, displaying my brief call with Octavius from ten minutes ago.
I sighed, my thoughts a tangled mess.
Last night, under the drug's influence, I'd made an unprecedentedly bold decision.
My mind kept replaying those intimate moments.
Octavius had stared at me intently, his dark eyes heavy with desire. Even as his body claimed mine, his gaze remained predatory, as if he still wanted to devour me whole.
Heat rushed to my cheeks at the memory.
No—I couldn't keep thinking about this!
I quickly shut down my thoughts and turned off my phone.
I'd snuck away while Octavius slept because I didn't know how to face him.
I didn't want him to feel obligated because of last night's accident.
I didn't want to trap Octavius by my side that way.
It wouldn't be fair to him.
Running away might be cowardly, but it at least gave me breathing room.
Right now, though, there were more important things to deal with.
Brielle was behind everything that happened last night. Time to settle the score!
I took a deep breath, pushed down my emotions, picked up my phone, and dialed.
Ewan Carter is a shareholder of the Whitaker Group who'd always treated me with fatherly kindness.
Earlier this year, he'd suffered a heart attack. I'd happened to pass by and given him medication while calling an ambulance, essentially saving his life.
Since then, he'd supported me unconditionally.
When he answered, I got straight to the point. "Mr. Carter, I need to discuss something extremely important with you. Let's meet at the café near the office—not convenient to talk at the company."
I hung up and drove to the café.
An hour later, we met.
"Mr. Carter, I need your help with something." I skipped the pleasantries and outlined my plan. "I can't pull this off without you."
After hearing me out, understanding flickered in Ewan's eyes.
He smiled, his tone decisive. "Seraphine, don't worry. I owe you a debt. Whatever you need, personally or professionally, I'm in. Let's do exactly what you suggested!"
With Ewan's commitment, most of my anxiety melted away.
"Thank you, Mr. Carter. With your help, I can relax."
Ewan smiled, though his gaze kept drifting to my neck and shoulders.
As he was leaving, he cleared his throat lightly, finally voicing what had been on his mind.
"Seraphine, what are those marks on you?"
I glanced down.
At my neckline, delicate skin showed a telltale red mark.
My face turned red instantly.
"I understand."Ewan suddenly wore a knowing expression, giving me a meaningful smile. "You don't need to explain. I get it. You young people have your business—I won't pry. I'll just handle what you asked me to do."
I couldn't meet his eyes, nodding awkwardly as I walked him out.
After Ewan left, I headed back to the office.
I deliberately hadn't completely concealed the suggestive marks on my neck and collarbone.
Sure enough, the moment I walked into the project department, Brielle's eyes locked onto me.
When she spotted those marks, barely concealed triumph flashed in her gaze.
"Seraphine!" Brielle hurried over with fake concern. "You don't look so good. Everything okay yesterday? Where did you go?"
She played dumb, acting completely innocent, as if she'd done nothing to me.
I lowered my eyes, hiding the coldness in them, and pulled at my collar with apparent embarrassment. "I'm fine. Just a bit tired."
Brielle's face radiated satisfaction.
She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "So why didn't you go home? Where were you?"
I frowned impatiently, pretending to be uncomfortable. "Do I need to report my whereabouts to you?"
"Of course not, just making conversation. No need to get defensive." Brielle quickly changed subjects. "By the way, Seraphine, there's the Powell family celebration tonight. I heard the Capulets will be there too. Let's go together—good networking opportunity."
I laughed inwardly.
Since when was she this thoughtful?
She just wanted Octavius and everyone in high society to see these compromising marks on me.
To further establish my unclean reputation and make Octavius completely reject me.
Fine.
If Brielle wanted more surprises, I'd give them to her.
"Sure." I looked up and agreed.
"Let's meet at the office entrance after work."
Brielle walked away satisfied.
Watching her retreating back, I deliberately raised my voice to Soren beside me. "Soren, I heard Mr. Carter might be selling some of his shares!"
Brielle's steps immediately slowed.
Soren looked at me with confusion—this was rather sudden to bring up.
I continued casually, "I've been watching the situation for a while. Seems like an opportunity. I'm thinking of buying them for five hundred thousand dollars."
Soren blinked, then nodded. "That's an excellent idea, Ms. Whitaker."
I smiled and headed to my office.
Once this reached Brielle's ears, she'd definitely make her move.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, my phone rang.
It was Ewan.
"Seraphine, the fish took the bait." Ewan's voice carried amusement. "She couldn't resist. Came asking about the shares—offered six hundred thousand."
"Tell her I'm offering seven hundred thousand," I instructed.
"Okay."
Soon he called again. "She's offering seven million five hundred thousand dollars.."
"Raise it again. I'm offering eight million dollars"
Through Ewan as our intermediary, Brielle and I began our bidding war.
Brielle had always dreamed of owning company shares.
"She's offering eight million dollars."
"I'm offering nine million dollars."
"She's now offering ten million dollars!"
Hearing that number, my lips curved upward.
That's enough.
"Mr. Carter, tell her I'm having cash flow issues right now. She can have them."
I hung up and waited.
After a while, Ewan called back.
"She agreed. She's scrambling to gather the funds."
I exhaled, leaning back in my chair, watching the long stream of traffic outside the window.
Brielle, you made a million dollars selling me out, so I'll make you cough up ten times that first!
And this was just the beginning.
Near quitting time, Soren reminded me, "Ms. Whitaker, it's about time you got ready for tonight's celebration."
Only then did I remember this. I walked to the mirror in the lounge and finally got a clear look at my condition.
The kiss marks on my neck and collarbone were still obvious, filled with suggestive undertones.
Remembering what Octavius and I had done last night, my face heated up again.
He'd really gone overboard.
From the closet, I selected a gray long-sleeved dress.
The turtleneck design concealed all the kiss marks without looking too conspicuous—perfect for a formal occasion.
Downstairs, Brielle's car was waiting.
She wore a pink ruffled dress. Seeing my outfit, she smiled subtly.
"Seraphine, get in."
I sat in and headed to the downtown hotel.
The hotel's top floor blazed with lights and teemed with guests.
The moment I entered the ballroom, I immediately spotted the most dazzling presence in the crowd.
Octavius stood tall in a black suit, his bearing noble and aloof, as if he carried his own spotlight.
He tilted his head slightly, listening to Quinlan beside him, his face expressionless.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, Octavius turned and looked directly at me.