Trapped in the boss's embrace (by Katrina A) novel Chapter 114

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Chapter 114 Date or Misunderstanding?

Beatrice's phone clapped against her chest.

"Morning, Mr. Crowley! Mr. Hawke!"

Her voice sounded natural enough, but the slight stiffness at the corner of her lips betrayed her nervousness.

Her gaze slid quickly past Damian's chest, her mind suddenly flashing back to last night when he'd grabbed her wrist, pulled her close, and whispered into her ear...

Her cheeks flushed hot at the memory.

"Morning," Damian replied coolly.

His expression was calm and aloof, like a perfectly sculpted statue.

Beatrice quietly stepped behind him, breathing deeply to steady herself and clear her head.

Killian's whisper tickled her ear, "New phone?"

Beatrice fumbled the device. "Just a temp—smashed mine yesterday." The lie rolled out smoother than she expected.

"Ah, I was wondering," Killian said casually.

The elevator doors opened, and Beatrice immediately stepped out, heading quickly toward the side exit.

"Your car's in the garage!" Killian called.

"At the office!" she tossed back, not breaking stride.

"Then just ride with us," Killian offered.

"I... haven't had breakfast yet," she quickly explained. "You guys go ahead. See you at the office!"

She hurried away, high heels clicking rapidly across the lobby.

Killian gaped at her retreating figure.

Jesus, you'd think we suggested a firing squad, not a carpool.

Damian watched her leave, his expression darkening slightly.

Noticing this, Killian cleared his throat. "Actually, I ate already—"

Damian turned a cool gaze on him, stared for a few uncomfortable seconds, and then tilted his chin toward the door where Beatrice had disappeared. "You can go too. No need to worry about me."

Killian sighed inwardly.

Could you maybe sound a little less... resentful?

*****

Beatrice arrived at the office exactly on time.

The "broken phone" story? Pure fiction.

The burner phone buzzed right on schedule—Autumn biting the bait.

[What do you want?] The text blazed onto the screen.

[Justice for my friend.] Beatrice texted back.

Autumn's reply came fast, [Tell me how.]

[Find the body.]

A tall order.

But Autumn? She'd dig up graves to bury Madeline.

If she found anything, she'd let Beatrice know immediately.

Throughout the entire conversation, Autumn never asked Beatrice's name.

Clearly, she just wanted Madeline gone—and to keep her own hands clean.

*****

Later that morning, Beatrice grabbed her tablet and headed over to Killian's office for their regular meeting—and, as Damian would put it, to make sure they were on the same page.

"At breakfast today, Mr. Crowley mentioned he'll be going to Solhaven this Saturday. Did he tell you about it?" Killian asked.

"No," Beatrice shook her head. "Solhaven? Did he say why?"

Killian shrugged. "Nope."

"So it must've been a last-minute decision," Beatrice reasoned, immediately thinking of the mysterious figure Damian had visited two nights ago.

Could he be meeting that person again?

It certainly seemed possible, given all the secrecy surrounding those meetings.

Killian gave a curt nod. "He didn't specify who he's taking—you or me. We'll probably get the details later."

"We'll see," Beatrice said calmly.

There was no point guessing. Ultimately, he would decide anyway.

Killian agreed completely.

The morning was exhausting—two intense meetings back-to-back.

By noon, most of the senior managers looked utterly drained, especially Dylan, who had secretly swallowed some heart medication midway through the second meeting.