Chapter 41: Are You Seducing Me
Ryan's car smoothly entered the auction's private lane and stopped before the red-carpet entrance.
Evelyn's gaze went through the windshield. She immediately recognized the familiar black Bentley.
It was Damian’s car.
The car door opened. A long, slender leg appeared first, followed by Sienna, who gracefully stepped out of the passenger seat. She wore a tight, fiery red dress today. She walked around to the driver's side.
As Damian got out of the car, Sienna immediately thrust her wrist toward him. Her wrist was bare, save for a few tiny, barely visible scratches.
“Darling, it’s all my fault,” she said. “I was clumsy. The bracelet you gave me... I broke it.”
Damian immediately took her hand, lowered his head, and kissed her wrist.
“It’s just broken, don’t worry. Pick anything tonight. I promise I’ll buy you something better.”
“Really?” Sienna pressed herself into Damian’s embrace.
Damian then kissed her forehead, wrapped an arm around her waist, and led her into the venue.
Evelyn watched the entire scene. A bitter ache spread through her heart.
Ryan, who had gotten out of the car sometime before, walked around and opened her door.
He extended his hand in an impeccable gesture of invitation.
Evelyn took a deep breath, trying to suppress the churning nausea in her chest.
She gathered her skirt and stepped out of the car. The moment her foot touched the ground, she stumbled, falling forward uncontrollably.
The expected embarrassment did not happen.
A strong, firm arm instantly wrapped around her waist, pulling her steadily into a solid embrace.
Ryan’s light, woodsy scent enveloped her. The heat of his palm transferred through the thin gown, branding her skin.
“What’s wrong?”
He didn’t release her. Instead, he pulled her closer against him.
He lowered his head, his warm breath close to her ear. His voice was very low, tinged with unconcealed laughter and teasing.
“What? Without Director Voss, you finally couldn't resist throwing yourself into my arms?”
The warm breath brushed her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
“It seems you remembered what I said last time. You’ve learned to initiate.”
Evelyn’s cheeks and ears instantly burned.
So this was it.
The polite, considerate image he’d projected at the orphanage entrance was just an act for Director Voss.
Now that they were alone, he reverted to the same frivolous, reckless jerk.
She pushed him hard, her palm against his firm chest, but it was like pushing a wall. He didn't budge.
“What nonsense! Let go of me!”
Ryan tightened his arm.
He chuckled. “Sweetheart, if we weren't outside, I’d truly want to strip off your clothes, use my hand to knead your full breasts, and place your hand on my erection right now...”
“You... shameless! You're crazy!”
“Shameless?” His voice dropped lower, audible only to her. “Compared to your husband, the man named Damian, who keeps a mistress behind your back, who is more shameless?”
Evelyn immediately choked. All the angry words stuck in her throat.
“I only expressed my desire for you. He did something truly disgusting, keeping you in the dark like a fool for eight years.”
Ryan’s thumb gently stroked her wrist. “Darling, you are here as my date tonight, not as someone else’s wife mourning a failed marriage.”
The air solidified.
The surrounding noise, the people, the music, all receded like a tide.
All that remained in her world was his hot breath and his cruel, honest words.
At that moment, a uniformed waiter approached respectfully, breaking the moment. “Sir, your box is ready.”
Ryan finally released her, acting as if nothing had happened.
He elegantly adjusted his suit cuff, smoothed her slightly messy hair, and took her hand.
As he moved past her, he added in a voice only she could hear, “Now, stop thinking about any other man. Do what a date should do, including flirting.”
Then, he led her toward the brilliantly lit hall.
The waiter approached respectfully. “Sir, your box is ready.”
Ryan released her hand. He straightened his suit cuff, smoothed her messy hair, and took her hand, leading her toward the magnificent venue.
His hand was large and warm, completely enclosing her cold fingers.
Evelyn tried to pull away, but he held her tighter.
She could only let him lead her through the crowd into a private elevator, straight to the private box on the top floor.
The box was extremely luxurious and private. A huge one-way glass wall faced the bustling auction floor below. They could see everything, but no one downstairs could sense their presence.
Evelyn automatically searched the hall and quickly found the irritating couple.
Damian and Sienna were sitting in a prominent spot in the front row.
Sienna was excitedly flipping through the auction catalog, her finger lingering on the jewelry page. She kept looking up at Damian, pouting as if demanding something.
Damian patiently handled Sienna, but his gaze frequently darted to his phone screen.
Despite his good attempt at composure, Evelyn saw the hidden anxiety in his tight jawline.
The stock price of Omni Group hadn’t been good lately.
He was putting on a show of generosity here, spending lavishly on his mistress, but internally, he must be bleeding over the falling numbers.
A sharp mockery rose in her heart.
Evelyn’s lips curled into a cold, uncontrollable smile.
She remembered the valuable awards she had won in college.
Those trophies, representing her glory and dreams, which she had happily brought home, were now casually thrown into a storage room pile by Damian.
He had told her, “We don't need these space-wasting things in our home. Your value is to be my wife, not these vain titles.”
Even the gifts she had received were always things he tossed at her, like trash, without caring if she liked them.
And now, this man indulged Sienna’s shallow, greedy desires.
It was absolutely ridiculous.