Chapter 289

Chapter 289
Evelyn's POV

I stood beside Hunter, the crystal champagne flute feeling heavy in my hand as we mingled with the crowd celebrating Apex Innovations' successful bid on the Sunset Ridge Estates project. My champagne-colored evening gown hugged my curves perfectly, and I'd swept my hair up in an elegant style that Hunter had complimented earlier this evening.

"To your success," another businessman raised his glass toward us, and I smiled automatically, lifting my glass for the fifth time without actually drinking. Social obligations were exhausting.

From across the ballroom, I could feel Dorian's eyes burning into me. He sat alone at a table in the back, nursing what looked like whiskey, watching my every move. I tried to ignore him, but his presence made my skin crawl.

The commotion with Madison had been humiliating enough. Her bursting in, calling me a homewrecker, and Hunter having to publicly display their divorce certificate. But then Dorian had seized his moment, snatching the document from Hunter's hand and announcing to everyone that he and I were still married.

Now we stood in the aftermath, the ballroom buzzing with whispers as Dorian approached the microphone, his eyes locked challengingly on mine.

"Care to guess what I might say next?" he asked, his voice carrying across the now-silent room.

I shook my head slightly, silently pleading with him to stop. A cold smile spread across his face as he ignored my plea.

"When she was Evelyn, she was my woman. Later, as Scarlett, she still shared my bed. I know Hunter doesn't care about such things, but do you all know how she secured the Sunset Ridge Estates project? It was through countless nights in my bed, trading her body for business."

Gasps erupted around us. My face burned with humiliation as I felt dozens of eyes turn toward me. Hunter's arm tightened protectively around my waist, but I could feel tension radiating from his body.

"Evelyn, you change expressions so quickly," Dorian continued, his voice dripping with venom. "Being loving and intimate with me before—it was all an act, wasn't it?"

I found my voice, though it came out shakier than I intended. "Dorian, you're talking nonsense."

Hunter stepped forward, his face a mask of controlled anger. "Mr. Blackwood, we're all professionals here. Using these kinds of accusations to slander someone—don't you think you're making a fool of yourself?"

Dorian's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting between Hunter and me. "Mr. Pierce, you're truly impressive... climbing to the top using a woman from my side."

Hunter didn't respond to the bait. Instead, he reached for my hand and held it firmly in his, making a clear statement to everyone watching. I almost pulled back, acutely aware of Dorian's burning gaze, but Hunter's gentle squeeze kept me in place.

I don't care about my own reputation, I thought desperately, but Hunter... this could hurt him. He cares too much about what others think.

A business associate approached Hunter, pulling him away for a moment. "I'll just be a minute," he whispered to me, reluctantly letting go of my hand.

With Hunter momentarily occupied, I slipped away to find the restroom, needing a moment to collect myself. The hallway was mercifully empty as I hurried along, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

I didn't hear the footsteps behind me until it was too late. A strong hand gripped my arm, yanking me sideways into a conference room. The door clicked shut behind us.

Dorian.

I steadied myself, trying to appear calm despite my racing heart. "There are security cameras everywhere," I warned, eyes darting to the corners of the room.

"This is where they hold confidential meetings," Dorian replied with a smirk. "For security reasons, there are no cameras here."

My heart sank. Trapped.

"I just want to ask you one thing," he said, advancing toward me. "How does it taste? The fat piece of meat you stole from my mouth?"

I backed away until I hit the conference table. "He doesn't care. About my history with you—he already knows everything."

"Does he?" Dorian's eyes glittered dangerously. "Does he know what you and I, in the guise of Scarlett, have done? Does he know how happy we've been in bed?"

My breath caught in my throat. "Stop it."

"Oh, I've hit a nerve." Dorian's smile widened. "Your precious Hunter, with his perfect moral code. Would he still look at you the same way if he knew the whole truth about your past?"

"That was Hunter's darkest time," I hissed, rage building inside me. "He never wants to talk about it. Neither do I."

"Because you're both hiding from your past," Dorian pressed. "Running away from who you really are."

Fury overtook me. I reached for a glass paperweight on the table, my hand closing around it. Without thinking, I raised it, ready to smash it into Dorian's smug face.

He caught my wrist easily, squeezing until I gasped in pain and dropped the paperweight with a thud on the carpeted floor.

"Still so feisty," he murmured, his breath hot against my ear.

I twisted away, making a break for the door, but he was faster. In an instant, he had me pinned against the conference table, my cheek pressed against the cold wood.

"Let me go!" I demanded, struggling against his iron grip.

His response was to lower his head to my exposed shoulder, where my gown had slipped. Without warning, he bit down hard.

The pain was immediate and intense. Tears sprang to my eyes as I cried out, "Let go! It hurts!"

He continued, moving to my neck, leaving what I knew would be visible marks. Marks designed to humiliate me, to brand me as his possession in front of Hunter and everyone else.

"Stop it, Dorian!" I sobbed, the fight draining out of me as pain radiated from my shoulder and neck.

My phone buzzed in my clutch, still somehow in my grip. Dorian snatched it, looking at the screen.

"Your lover is looking for you," he said, holding the phone where I could see Hunter's name.

He answered the call, putting it on speaker. "Evelyn, where are you?" Hunter's concerned voice filled the room.

Dorian's hand closed warningly around my injured shoulder, squeezing until I winced.

"I... I went to the restroom," I managed to reply, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Are you okay? You sound strange."

"I'm fine. I'll be right out."

Dorian ended the call, setting the phone on the table. His hands moved to straighten my dress, his touch making my skin crawl.

"From now on," he said, his voice low and threatening, "when I tell you to come out, you will. When I tell you to go to a hotel, you won't go anywhere else."

I turned to face him, hatred burning in my eyes. "Why would I ever agree to that?"

His smile was cold. "Because I have something you don't want Hunter to see. Something that would destroy the perfect image he has of you."

My blood ran cold. "You're bluffing."