Chapter 426

Sebastian's slender fingers turned a page of the document. The office was so quiet that the rustling of paper echoed distinctly. He suddenly looked up, his dark eyes unfathomable. "Something wrong?"

Zachary swallowed hard. Though Sebastian's expression remained neutral, an icy dread crept down his spine.

The rhythmic clatter of keyboard strokes ceased abruptly. Sebastian closed the folder, his metal cufflinks glinting coldly under the light. "Explain what happened that day."

"I—I was just too anxious..." Zachary's voice trailed off. "The dosage was indeed—"

"Half a packet." Sebastian cut him off, the corner of his mouth curling into a dangerous smirk. "Eight PM. The boxing ring."

Zachary shot to his feet. "Sebastian! My hand slipped that day—"

"Warm-up at seven." Sebastian had already reopened his laptop, the blue glow casting sharp shadows across his chiseled profile. "Late arrival means extra rounds."

Zachary opened his mouth but ultimately slumped back into his chair. Staring blankly at the carpet's intricate pattern, he could already picture his battered body sprawled across the boxing mat.

At exactly eight o'clock, Zachary was thrown onto the mat for the third time. Gasping for air, sweat stung his eyes.

"Get up." Sebastian removed his gloves, revealing bruised knuckles. "Only three rounds in."

Zachary groaned as he rolled onto his side. "Murder is illegal, Sebastian!"

Sebastian twisted open a water bottle, droplets tracing his jawline. "If Evelyn ever finds out about that drink—"

"I was wrong! I swear!" Zachary scrambled upright like a startled fish. "My lips are sealed!"

Beyond the glass walls, the city glittered. Sebastian studied his reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window, suddenly recalling the faint redness at the corners of Evelyn's eyes in the dimly lit private room that night.

Three months later, the laboratory's automatic glass doors slid open. Evelyn strode down the corridor in stiletto heels, the hem of her white coat fluttering behind her.

"The ventilation system needs modification." Her fingertip tapped a specific spot on the blueprint. "Install additional filtration here."

Sebastian stood half a step behind her, his gaze lingering on the tiny whirl at the crown of her head. "I've reviewed the equipment list."

"Any concerns, Mr. Valdemar?" Evelyn turned abruptly, nearly brushing her nose against his tie clip.

Bianca entered carrying coffee, only to freeze at the sight of their nearly touching silhouettes. She deliberately thunked the cup onto the table. "Master! Your latte!"

"Thank you." Evelyn accepted the coffee and casually pushed Sebastian's iced Americano toward him. "Try it. Bianca's skills have improved."

Bianca's eyes widened. She'd only brewed one cup!

Under the warm glow of the chandelier during dinner, Bianca glared as the pair wordlessly exchanged plates. She viciously stabbed a shrimp dumpling in her bowl.

"Bianca." Evelyn suddenly placed a sweet-and-sour spare rib on her plate. "Eat more."

Bianca instantly brightened, shooting Sebastian a triumphant look. The man merely dabbed his mouth with a napkin, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Outside, early spring cherry blossoms drifted past the balcony.