Chapter 114: Elevator Provocation
Three days later, New York Fashion Week. Luxury cars lined up outside the venue, and reporters mobbed the entrance. Evelyn wore a simple, tailored black gown that made her look strikingly cold and elegant. She walked steadily, linked to Damian’s arm, despite the disgust she felt for the man beside her.
Damian had styled himself meticulously, looking confident and in high spirits. Omni Group's stock had slightly recovered on the news of her participation, and he desperately needed this exposure to stabilize the situation. “Remember to smile a lot when you see the judges,” Damian whispered in her ear.
Evelyn looked straight ahead, forming a perfect, fake smile. “Don’t worry. For Sophie, I’ll play the part.” Escorted by security, they made their way through the crowd to the exclusive VIP elevator. The doors slid open slowly. Damian was about to step in, but his movement suddenly stopped.
A man was already inside. Ryan Lawrence wore a sharply tailored black suit, a delicate gold badge pinned to his chest—the logo of Nova Group, the main sponsor of the competition. He stood with one hand in his pocket, leaning against the cab wall, his long legs casually crossed, exuding a suffocating intensity.
Hearing them, he lifted his eyes languidly. His gaze bypassed Damian and landed directly on Evelyn. His stare felt tangible, scalding, tracing a path down her collarbone. Evelyn’s heart seized up.
Damian clearly missed the charged atmosphere. His eyes instantly lit up, as if he had spotted a walking goldmine. “President Lawrence!” Damian immediately put on a fawning smile, extending his hand as he strode into the elevator. “What a coincidence to run into you here. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Damian Green of Omni Group.”
As he spoke, he pulled Evelyn in front of him, his hand gripping her waist tightly in a possessive gesture. “This is my wife, Evelyn. She is one of the designers competing today.”
Ryan's gaze lingered on Damian’s hand clamped around Evelyn’s waist for two seconds. The temperature in his eyes instantly dropped to freezing. The bastard! He quickly masked his emotions, not shaking Damian’s extended hand. Instead, he straightened up and adjusted his cuff. “Mr. Green,” Ryan’s voice was cold and distant. “A pleasure.”
Damian awkwardly withdrew his hand, not daring to show offense, as Nova Group was the competition’s major backer and an untouchable giant in the New York business world. The doors closed. In the narrow space, the air seemed to solidify. Evelyn felt hot under Ryan’s stare, her heart hammering in her chest. She couldn't stop thinking about what had happened three days ago at the Four Seasons Hotel.
“President Lawrence, would you be interested in Omni Group’s recent projects?” Damian’s voice interrupted Evelyn’s thoughts. He was rattling on, pitching his company to Ryan. “Our market share in menswear is very stable. With Nova Group's investment, we could definitely…”
“No interest.” Ryan dismissed him with three cold words, without even turning his head. Damian’s face flushed, but he dared not argue. He just let out a strained laugh to ease the tension. “Haha, President Lawrence is certainly direct… we can talk more another time.”
The floor numbers ticked up slowly. Ryan suddenly turned, his back to Damian, facing Evelyn. From Evelyn’s perspective, Ryan’s deep eyes were shamelessly fixed on her lips. His throat worked, and his eyes burned with unconcealed desire and possession. Then, he slightly parted his lips, silently mouthing a message. Evelyn understood. I want you.
Boom! Evelyn’s blood rushed to her head, her ears instantly burning crimson. This maniac! Damian was right there; he could see them with just a slight turn! Evelyn frantically looked away, her palms sweating.
Ding. The elevator reached the top floor. The metal doors slid open, and the noise from outside instantly flooded in. Countless reporters had their cameras aimed at the exit. “They’re out! It’s the Greens!” “And… President Lawrence!” Shutters clicked everywhere.
Damian reacted instantly, putting on the mask of a devoted husband. He tightened his arm, practically holding Evelyn in a half-embrace, flashing a perfect smile for the cameras. “Evelyn, look at the lens,” he whispered, his tone edged with warning. “Look affectionate.”
Evelyn was forced to lean into his embrace, cooperating stiffly. The fake intimacy made her feel nauseous. Ryan, standing behind them, did not rush out. He remained in the shadows, watching Damian’s hand on Evelyn’s waist, watching the hypocritical bastard play the loving husband for the media.
Ryan’s jawline was a tight, sharp line. His hand, hanging at his side, was clenched into a fist. He wanted to charge forward, break Damian’s arm, and drag Evelyn away. But he held back. He had promised Evelyn he would let her fight this battle herself. A hunter had to be patient.
Ryan took a deep breath, suppressing the violence in his eyes, and stepped out of the elevator. As he passed Damian, his shoulder seemingly accidentally slammed into Damian’s. Damian stumbled, nearly falling, and his arm was forced to drop from Evelyn’s waist. “My apologies.”
Ryan paused, looking down at the flustered Damian. “The path is a bit narrow. Mr. Green, watch your step. Wouldn't want you to fall too spectacularly.” He didn't spare the stunned Damian another look, his gaze briefly meeting Evelyn’s before he strode toward the judges’ panel, surrounded by his entourage. Damian was left standing there, his face cycling between green and white.