Trapped in the boss's embrace (by Katrina A) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36 She’s Missing

Beatrice’s expression darkened ever so slightly.

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She held back her displeasure and asked calmly, “Why did you lock the door? Is this something…” she paused, scanning their faces, “…that needs to be kept secret?”

Daniel quickly put on a smile. “No, no, Ms. Lawson. Please don’t take it the wrong way. Mr. Lewis didn’t mean anything by it. Honestly, it’s just… better if this doesn’t spread.”

“Oh? So there is something you’re trying to keep quiet.”

“Exactly,” Daniel said with a nervous chuckle. “The two employees you mentioned–Jack Bates and Emily Bates–they were actually among the factory’s very first hires. A married couple. Years ago, there was an accident. They were seriously injured, left permanently disabled and unable to work.

“At the time, to keep things from blowing up, we reached a settlement with them. They agreed, on the condition that they’d keep receiving a salary for the next fifteen years, citing medical hardship.”

Beatrice blinked, stunned.

What a creative lie.

She pressed her lips together, silent for a few seconds. Then she

Chapter 16 She’s Missing

furrowed her brow, nodded slowly as if thinking it over, and followed up with a measured tone.

“But why didn’t you report this to the company?”

Daniel sighed. “People sitting in offices all day wouldn’t understand what workers go through. If we brought it up, a bunch of people would’ve been dragged into it. Jobs are hard to come by. And

whether you pay the compensation in one lump sum or spread it out over time–what difference does it make?”

“I get where you’re coming from, Mr. Ward. But from the company’s perspective, this clearly violates policy. And now, because no one’s seen these two people, some workers think the place is haunted. That’s just disturbing.”

“You’re absolutely right, Ms. Lawson. We know we bent the rules. That’s why we hoped to speak with you–see if there’s a chance this could be… handled quietly. No need to trouble Mr. Crowley with something this minor. He’s got the entire group to worry about. No point wasting his time on this.”

Beatrice pretended to consider it. After a long pause, she said, “Fine. I won’t report anything–if I can meet the couple and confirm the situation myself. If everything checks out, I’ll let it go.”

Daniel froze. “O–of course. No problem.”

By five in the evening, Damian was at the organizer’s dinner

Chapter 36 She’s Missing

party, wrapping up a long day at the summit.

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He returned to the hotel just after eight, planning to squeeze in a short break before his scheduled video conference.

But as he sat down and reached for his laptop, Killian burst through the door, face pale and breath short.

“Beatrice hasn’t come back yet–and I can’t reach her. Her phone’s off.”

Damian’s brows furrowed. He paused, his hand still on the laptop.

“You haven’t spoken to her at all today?”

Killian shook his head. “She said she’d call if she needed help- last night. I assumed she came back already.”

“Call the factory. Find out what’s going on.

“Right away.”

Killian made the call immediately. After hanging up, his expression turned grim.

“They said she left the factory around one in the afternoon. If that’s true, she should’ve been back long ago.”

Damian’s face went cold.

Without hesitation, he canceled his meeting, then called Scott

Chapter 36 She’s Missing

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Harrington, the deputy GM overseeing the factory, instructing him to head over immediately. At the same time, he ordered a full review of the security footage and an active search of the surrounding areas.

Harper, upon hearing the news, insisted on going along.

As Damian and Killian exited the hotel, a man in a dark blue shirt strode toward them with a thunderous expression, flanked by several men.

Damian, glancing down at his watch to check the time, didn’t immediately notice the group. Killian, however, spotted them and instinctively stepped forward to shield Damian from the approaching threat.

“Mr. Belmont!” he shouted.

Damian’s head snapped up–his eyes met Desmond’s.

“Where is my wife?” Desmond’s voice was low and rough, his entire body tense like a lion on enemy turf, radiating fury and dominance.

“She’s missing,” Damian replied evenly.

He was slightly taller than Desmond. When he looked at him, his gaze was calm and cold, as though surveying a stray dog–his innate authority impossible to ignore.

“What do you mean?” Desmond growled, fists clenched until his knuckles cracked.

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er 36 She’s Missing

Killian immediately stepped in, stretching out his arms to prevent a brawl.

“Mr. Belmont, please calm down. Ms. Lawson applied to be our chief secretary–she’s currently Mr. Crowley’s personal secretary. She visited our subsidiary factory this morning, but hasn’t returned, and we’ve been unable to contact her. We’re heading there now to investigate.”

Beatrice… applied to be a secretary?

Damian’s personal secretary?

That alone was enough to make Desmond’s blood boil. But the fact that she was now missing, unreachable, and last seen at a remote factory only made things worse. His head throbbed with the force of

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Damian’s car pulled up at the entrance, the driver stepping out to open the door. Without sparing Desmond another look, he turned and got in.

Desmond’s car followed closely behind.

In the back seat, Killian glanced at the rearview mirror. “How did Desmond even find the hotel? Gordon scrubbed every trace of her whereabouts.”

“If someone’s determined enough, there’s always a way,” Damian said, unsurprised. His attention was elsewhere.

“What exactly did she discover yesterday?”

Killian hesitated, then finally explained what Beatrice had discovered the night before.

Damian’s jaw tightened. “Why didn’t you tell me this morning? If she’d found something serious, did you think they’d let her just walk away?”

“I–I didn’t think it was that deep,” Killian stammered. “She went under the pretense of inspecting the factory. They didn’t know she was investigating. Even if they were suspicious, I doubt they’d go as far as-

“But what if they did catch on? What if she found something–and had the nerve to confront them head–on?”

Killian fell silent.

Given her boldness at the poker table, nothing about that scenario seemed far–fetched.

Damian rubbed his forehead, brows deeply furrowed. After a moment, he said coldly, “Issue a notice to all relevant personnel–If there’s no word from Ms. Lawson within the next hour, every senior manager at the factory and subsidiary will be dismissed.”

Killian blanched. “What? On what basis? They’ll demand an explanation–this could spark backlash.”

Damian’s tone was resolute, like a monarch passing sentence.

Chapter 36 She’s Missing

“No explanation needed. They let my secretary vanish under their watch. That alone shows they don’t respect me. That’s enough.”

Killian stammered, “B–but… there’s no proof she went missing at the factory-”

“I trust my gut,” Damian interrupted.

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