Chapter 53
Lucas Evans's gaze darkened.
He stared at Adrian Sinclair, his tone cold. "The greeting is over. You can leave now."
He could never forget how Adrian had treated Anna Ross.
That memory made it impossible for him to feel any goodwill toward this man.
A shadow flickered in Adrian's eyes.
Lucas's protective stance was far too obvious.
Coupled with her words in the restroom, meant to sever their connection.
That nameless fury flared within him once more.
Anna's fingertips turned cold.
She just wanted him to leave quickly.
Was letting her go once so difficult?
Adrian acted as if he hadn't heard Lucas.
He suddenly leaned in close to Anna.
She instinctively tried to pull away.
But he seized her wrist firmly.
His warm breath brushed her ear.
His voice was a low murmur. "Don't move."
"I'm just giving work instructions."
"If you don't behave, I won't mind telling him what happened in the restroom."
He lifted his eyes to look at Lucas.
His gaze held blatant provocation.
Anna immediately froze.
She lowered her eyelids, docile as a kitten.
Adrian's lips curved into a slight smile.
His fingers gently brushed through her hair.
Lucas's face darkened.
His voice carried suppressed anger. "Is the Young Master Sinclair this intimate with every Executive Assistant?"
Anna's heart raced.
The tension between the two men was palpable.
Adrian moved even closer.
His voice was lazy. "I'm discussing confidential work with my Executive Assistant."
"Outsiders naturally cannot listen."
He deliberately emphasized the words "confidential" and "outsiders."
Seeing Lucas's expression change abruptly, he released Anna with satisfaction.
"The greeting is over."
"I won't disturb your meal."
He turned and returned to his own seat.
Anna quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Lucas watched her.
He asked softly, "Are you afraid of him?"
Anna was taken aback.
She hurriedly refused. "No."
"He's just my superior. Quite strict."
"I just get a little nervous around him."
Lucas nodded.
He recalled the previous incident.
"At the last class reunion, why did you leave so suddenly?"
"I waited for a long time, but you never came back."
He paused, his voice growing softer. "You looked very unwell that night."
"Did he give you a hard time?"
Anna's fingertips trembled.
Scenes from that night flashed before her eyes.
She and Adrian were separated by just a single wall.
While Lucas waited for her outside.
She was lost in thought for a moment.
Lucas called her. "Anna?"
She quickly shook her head. "No."
"I had an emergency that day."
"I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye."
Lucas smiled.
"It's alright."
As long as she wasn't mistreated, that was all that mattered.