Oops I Banged the CEO novel Chapter 61

“Mr. Hamilton, there’s quite a crowd outside. If you go out to check on things in person, there’s no way you’ll keep your relationship a secret.”

William didn’t try to stop him; he just stated the facts plainly.

After all, the whole secret marriage thing was Yvonne’s idea to begin with.

But Marico couldn’t care less about the consequences anymore. He strode into the elevator and slammed his palm on the button for the first floor.

William hurried after him, standing quietly at his back.

The elevator descended slowly. Marico stood tall, hands shoved deep in his pockets, his expression cold and unreadable, a storm cloud shadowing his striking features.

His presence was so intense it felt like it might blow the roof off the elevator. William kept glancing his way, lips pressed in a thin line, wisely holding his tongue.

Meanwhile, Yvonne felt completely deflated. From the morning’s scandalous rumor about the roses to the ugly scene with her family just now, she knew her name would be on everyone’s lips at the office by now.

Grace and Nydia flanked her on either side, trying to cheer her up.

“Yvonne, you really handled yourself well back there,” Grace said, still fuming on Yvonne’s behalf. “You always told me your mom was softhearted and indecisive, but after today? She’s just plain thoughtless. What kind of mother would raise a hand to her own daughter?”

Grace was something of a seasoned pro in the workplace—she’d seen all kinds of people. After two years as colleagues, she knew exactly what sort of person Yvonne was.

Hardworking and responsible, kind and considerate, always putting her family first. At her age, she could easily be out having fun and living for herself, but she never once showed off or tried to outdo anyone.

A low-key, sensible girl who’d never even dated, and yet now people were spreading rumors about her having an affair with some older man.

If that wasn’t deliberately dragging her through the mud, what was?

Yvonne, coming back to herself, realized she really had stood up for herself this time. After so many years, she’d finally fought back.

But the aftershock lingered.

“Your stepsister’s a real piece of work,” Nydia said, shaking her head. “Manipulative little snake, if you ask me. Yvonne, you should move out. You make good money—you don’t need to put up with that.”

His gaze was gentle but deep, full of worry. Yvonne thought she must be seeing things. Instinctively, she ducked her head, letting her hair fall to shield the side of her face that still stung from the slap.

Marico, halfway out, halted in his tracks.

The first thing he noticed was the redness in her tear-filled eyes. The second was the bright, angry mark on her cheek.

An ache of fury and helplessness twisted in his chest.

“Mr. Hamilton,” Yvonne greeted him, her tone polite.

Grace and Nydia, surprised to see Marico in the elevator, quickly followed her lead. “Mr. Hamilton,” they echoed.

Marico nodded curtly, stepping back to let the three women enter the elevator.

Grace and Nydia exchanged a puzzled look. Wasn’t the elevator going down? Why wasn’t Mr. Hamilton getting out?