Chapter 245

Adrian Sinclair’s gaze darkened, ignoring her question entirely.

Chloe Valentine seized the opportunity, stepping quickly to block Anna Ross. She raised her voice deliberately. "Executive Assistant Ross, is it appropriate for a subordinate to speak to her boss like that?"

She glanced at Adrian’s expression, emphasizing her words. "And what exactly is your relationship with Lucas Evans? Why are you so concerned about him?"

Anna looked away, her eyes settling on Adrian. His face was stormy. The name Lucas Evans was a trigger, always pushing him over the edge.

"Lucas and I are just friends. Please don’t read too much into it, Director Valentine." Her voice was calm, her expression unreadable.

Chloe was taken aback, ready to retaliate, but Anna spoke first. "Director Valentine, I need to speak with Mr. Sinclair privately. Please leave."

"You’re asking me to leave?" Chloe’s eyes widened in disbelief. She turned and clung to Adrian’s arm, whining. "Adrian, look how arrogant she is!"

He didn’t push her away. Anna thought, he’s definitely angry. He’ll side with Chloe.

Chloe smiled inwardly. Today was going perfectly.

She pretended to wipe her eyes, trying to make them red. She looked up at him, putting on a pitiful expression. He would surely feel sorry for her.

"Leave us now."

His cold words felt like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go!

While she stood frozen, he rose and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, turning his back to her.

Chloe shot Anna a hateful glare, snatched her files, and stormed out, slamming the door.

Anna Ross, just you wait!

I’ll make you pay for today’s humiliation a hundred times over.

Silence returned to the office. One stood by the door, the other by the window, separated by a vast distance.

Anna remained where she was. Backlit by the sun, she could only see his tall, straight silhouette. She stubbornly waited for his answer.

After a long moment, the figure by the window spoke softly. "You said you had something to discuss. So let me ask you, in what capacity are you questioning me?"

He turned around, his thin lips parting. "As my mistress? Or as Lucas Evans’s girlfriend?"

Anna looked up at him. The sunlight outside was blinding, but it paled compared to the pain in her heart.

In his eyes, was she really that despicable?

Wasn’t he also getting close to other women?

A bitter ache rose in her throat, suffocating her. "I know you hate me. Direct your anger at me. Don’t involve innocent people."

She met his gaze without flinching.

Adrian stared at her stubborn expression, fury simmering in his dark eyes.

Is that what she thought of him?

Footsteps echoed. The next second, his hand closed around her wrist, gripping it tightly.

Anna looked up, meeting his angry eyes.