Chapter 95
Chapter 95
The next second, Sebastian gripped my chin, forcing me to look up.
His face filled my vision, unfathomable currents churning in his deep eyes.
Then he kissed me.
Not the tentative, gentle touch from before.
This was a punishing, domineering, unrefusable kiss.
His lips were cool yet seemed to carry fire, igniting everything they touched.
The last thread of rationality in my mind snapped.
I struggled instinctively, pushing at his chest, but he caught my hands and pinned them behind me.
His other hand gripped the back of my head, deepening the kiss.
All my resistance proved futile against his absolute strength.
My breath was completely stolen, the air in my lungs growing thinner.
Just as I thought I'd suffocate, Sebastian finally eased up slightly, his scorching breath washing over my lips.
"If you dare lie to me again..." His voice was terribly hoarse, carrying a hint of gritted teeth, "Next time won't be this simple."
Without giving me any chance to respond, he sealed my lips again.
This time, his movements were much gentler, soothing, lingering.
My rigid body gradually softened under his guidance.
Those forcibly suppressed feelings, those flutters his proximity created—like beasts breaking free of their cage—clamored wildly in my heart.
I didn't know if it was the medication or this kiss, but I felt like I was floating on clouds, weightless.
The hands pushing at his chest unconsciously clutched his shirtfront instead.
I began clumsily responding to him.
Sensing my change, his movements paused.
Then came a kiss more scorching and deeper than any before, overwhelming everything.
I felt myself melting in his arms.
Suddenly, my body lifted.
He swept me up in his arms. I let out a small cry.
The world spun as he set me on the desk by the window.
Documents and a water glass were scattered to the floor with a clatter as he swept them aside.
He leaned over me, trapping me between himself and the desk, arms braced on either side of my body, continuing that unfinished kiss.
This position forced me to tilt my head back, accepting everything from him.
I could clearly feel the changes in his body, that burning heat penetrating the thin fabric, making my heart tremble.
Just as I was lost in passion, thinking something would happen, he suddenly stopped.
His forehead pressed against mine, his chest rising and falling dramatically, breathing rough and hot.
"Damn it." He cursed lowly, then released me and strode into the bathroom.
Soon, water sounds came from inside.
I sat on the desk, legs weak, still in an extremely oxygen-deprived daze.
I looked down at my swollen lips and disheveled hospital gown, my cheeks hot enough to cook on.
A few minutes later, Sebastian emerged from the bathroom.
He'd changed shirts, his hair still damp, his expression restored to its usual calm composure—as if the person who'd lost control wasn't him at all.
He walked over, glanced at my disheveled state, something flickering in his eyes. "Let's go. I'll take you to the company."
Walking out of the clinic, a wave of heat hit us.
The sun blazed overhead, so bright it was blinding.
Sebastian turned back to retrieve a black umbrella from the car.
He opened it, and cool shade enveloped me.
I stared at him in a daze. He was more than a head taller than me, and to shade me from the sun, he tilted the entire umbrella toward my side, leaving half his shoulder exposed to the scorching sun.
Something deep in my heart felt like it had been gently struck.
"Thank you," I said softly.
He said nothing, just wrapped an arm around my shoulders and guided me to the car.
At the company entrance, I'd just gotten out when I ran into my assistant.
"Ms. Neville! Why are you here? Your face is so red—is your fever still not down?" The assistant rushed over, looking worried.
"I'm fine." I touched my burning cheek somewhat unnaturally with the back of my hand. "It's just hot outside. The sun."
I strode quickly into the building, instructing without looking back, "The fire department should deliver my safe. Find two reliable security guards to move it directly to my office. Don't let anyone touch it."
"Yes, Ms. Neville."
Back in the top-floor CEO's office, I closed the door, isolating myself from all eyes.
In the car just now, Sebastian hadn't said a word, yet I'd felt the entire space thick with an ambiguous atmosphere.
I leaned against the cool glass, looking at the bright sunlight outside, the corners of my mouth lifting uncontrollably.
My heart felt stuffed with soft cotton candy—sweet and full.
I raised my hand, fingertips lightly touching my still-tingling lips, where his scent and warmth seemed to linger.
Just as I was lost in thought, staring out the window, my phone vibrated.
I picked it up. A message from Sebastian.
[Dinner together tonight.]
Brief, direct—his usual style.
I replied almost without thinking. [Okay.]
After sending the message, I held my phone to my chest, feeling the vibration as if it still lingered on my fingertips, spreading all the way to my heart.
A knock on the office door interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in."
The assistant pushed the door open, face showing anxiety and difficulty. "Ms. Neville, there's a problem."
My heart sank, the smile vanishing from my face instantly. "What is it?"
"Downstairs... It's chaos." The assistant's voice was very low. "This week's wages still haven't been paid. The employees are talking, and morale is unstable."
I frowned.
The Neville Group paid salaries twice monthly. Today was the fifteenth—payday for the second half of the month.
Our subsidiary's finances operated independently, accounts submitted clearly—there should be no reason for delays.
"Which step went wrong?" My voice turned cold.
"It's... the finance department at headquarters." The assistant's face paled further. "I just called to ask. They kept being evasive and won't approve the funds. Later, I asked a contact to dig around. I heard... heard that the Neville Group's capital chain might have serious problems."
Capital chain?
An ominous premonition instantly gripped my heart.
I immediately had the assistant pull up the headquarters CFO's number and dialed directly.