Chapter 42 At Least Saved Her Life
Chapter 42 At Least Saved Her Life
Sebastian's movements stilled.
"A normal woman finds out she's pregnant, first thing she does is tell her partner. They talk marriage, accept congratulations from friends and family. But her? She hid it, kept it secret. That doesn't look like someone planning to tell the father."
Eric lifted his glass, taking a sip, his eyes sharp behind his lenses.
"So there's only one possibility." He spoke each word clearly and deliberately. "She got played by some asshole. He got her pregnant, then disappeared. Or maybe he never intended to take responsibility in the first place. She's too proud to beg, too proud to use the baby as leverage. So she's dealing with it alone."
The words hit like lightning, cutting through the fog in Sebastian's mind.
He remembered Sophie in his office, eyes red, voice bitter and self-mocking as she said, "He's... probably just an irresponsible bastard. A coward led around by his own desires, who can't even remember what he's done."
She'd been talking about the man who got her pregnant.
The realization sent an unfamiliar ache through Sebastian's chest.
That towering rage was slowly being replaced by something far more complicated.
Heartache.
He was still reeling when the door swung open again.
Eric whistled at the newcomer and stood up.
Stanley strode in, still wearing his light gray cashmere sweater, his usually composed face tight with worry.
He'd just finished handling company business when Eric called, saying only that Sebastian was in bad shape and it might have something to do with Sophie.
"What happened?" Stanley's gaze swept over the wreckage on the table before landing on Sebastian's dark expression, his brow furrowing deeply.
"What do you think happened?" Eric spread his hands, giving a brief rundown. "Sebastian just found out the woman he likes is pregnant with someone else's kid. He's throwing a tantrum."
Stanley's face darkened. He knew Sophie's pride better than anyone, and he could imagine exactly how much damage Sebastian's outburst had done to her.
"This is ridiculous." Stanley looked at Sebastian, reproach clear in his voice.
Eric added helpfully, "Talking about it now won't help. We need to get her here. Fight fire with fire. If he keeps drinking like this, tomorrow's headline will be 'Carter Group CEO hospitalized for alcohol poisoning.'"
Stanley had to agree. He pulled out his phone and dialed Sophie's number.
The phone rang for a long time before she picked up, her voice thick with exhaustion. "Hello, Mr. Worden?"
"Sophie, it's me." Stanley softened his tone. "Are you available? Could you come to Nightfall club?"
Sophie went silent on the other end, clearly resisting.
Stanley sighed, forced to play his trump card. He glanced at the man still pouring drinks across from him, his voice heavy with concern. "Mr. Carter... he's been drinking heavily because of you. None of us can talk him down. Sophie, he's drowning his sorrows over you. If this keeps up, I'm worried about his health."
Drowning his sorrows?
Those words left Sophie's mind blank, then flooded with a sense of absurdity.
"Mr. Worden, you're mistaken." She immediately clarified, her voice hoarse with urgency. "Mr. Carter and I only have a professional relationship. Whatever's wrong with him has nothing to do with me."
Her words came out decisive, but to Stanley they sounded more like defensive stubbornness.
He knew Sebastian's feelings, and he'd seen that Sophie wasn't entirely unaffected either.
"Sophie, some things might be more complicated than you think." Stanley kept his patience. "Even if you're just colleagues, considering how drunk he is, could you come by and talk to him for a few minutes? Just do me this favor."
Another long silence stretched on the other end, so long Stanley thought she'd refuse. Then Sophie gave a soft "okay" and hung up.
In her apartment, Sophie gripped her warm phone, her thoughts in turmoil.
Sebastian drowning his sorrows over her? Impossible.
The man who seemed untouchable wouldn't do something like this over a subordinate he'd just fired.
Every instinct told her to refuse, to stay as far away from that dangerous man as possible.
But her mind kept flashing back to that terrifying night in City A.
The screech of brakes, the violent impact, and Sebastian's arm shooting out to shield her body with his own.
He'd at least... saved her life.
That thought finally overpowered all her rationality and resistance.
Sophie stood up from the couch, roughly wiped her face, changed clothes, grabbed her bag, and headed out.
In the club's private room, Sebastian was thoroughly drunk. His eyes were unfocused, his handsome face flushed with an unhealthy color, mumbling incoherently.
Eric and Stanley exchanged glances, both realizing this couldn't continue.
"This is bad. He's too far gone." Eric tried to steady Sebastian's swaying body and nearly got pulled down with him. "We need to sober him up."
Sebastian's stomach churned violently. He shoved Eric away and stumbled toward the restroom.
Aiden, who'd been waiting outside the door, rushed forward. He and Eric caught Sebastian on either side. "Mr. Carter, let me help you."
Watching the three men leave, Stanley's brow remained furrowed, an uneasy feeling settling over him.
In the restroom, Sebastian gripped the cold sink, retching violently.
Aiden hovered nearby, passing water and patting his back, breaking into a sweat. When Sebastian finally stopped, completely drained, he slumped against Aiden's shoulder.
Aiden looked at his boss's wrecked state, heart aching with worry.
He assumed the only person who could make Sebastian lose control like this was Emma.
He helped Sebastian to a sofa in the lounge area, pulled out his phone, and called Emma without hesitation.
"Ms. Roberts, hello." Aiden kept his voice low, respectful but urgent. "Mr. Carter's had too much to drink. He's at Nightfall club. Could you come pick him up?"
Emma on the other end agreed almost instantly, her voice a carefully measured mix of anxiety and concern, as if she were the one who cared about Sebastian most.