Chapter 98: I ran into Noah and Tessa.
Elena stormed out of the office building. The moment she stepped outside, she spotted a familiar figure approaching. Without waiting for another second, she ran toward him and threw herself into his arms.
Elias stopped in his tracks. A flicker of surprise crossed his face before his arms instinctively wrapped around her.
"What happened?" he asked, concern immediately filling his voice. "Did something happen during the meeting?"
Elena shook her head lightly. "No."
"Then what is it?" He gently lifted her chin, studying her face.
The moment he noticed the tears shimmering in her eyes, his heart clenched. At the same time, fury surged through him. Whoever had made her cry would pay the price.
"Who was it?" he asked, his tone cold and dangerous. "Tell me the name."
Elena quickly blinked away her tears.
After everything that had happened the previous night, Elias was already exhausted. He had even gotten injured protecting her. She didn’t want to burden him with more worries.
Forcing a smile, she said softly, "The meeting went really well. Everyone liked the project proposal."
Then she deliberately changed the subject. "By the way, why are you here? Did you come to pick me up?"
Elias looked at her quietly. He knew she was hiding something.
"If the meeting went well, why were you crying? Don’t hide anything from me."
The smile on Elena’s face slowly faded. She let out a quiet sigh.
"I ran into Noah and Tessa."
"What?" Elias frowned. "What were they doing here?"
"I’m not sure." She shrugged. "Probably discussing business."
She knew Noah had been trying desperately to secure a partnership with Novacrest Global.
"I see."
A faint smile appeared in Elias’s eyes.
’Business with Noah Sinclair? That’s never going to happen.’
The next moment, his expression turned serious. "What did they do?" he asked grimly. "Did they hurt you?"
Elena shook her head yet again. "I didn’t give them the chance."
Then she slipped her hand around his arm and smiled playfully.
"Now stop talking about them. Tell me, did you really come to pick me up?"
Elias couldn’t help smiling back. "I did."
"Then let’s go. It’s getting late."
She pulled him toward the car.
Once they settled inside, Elena immediately reached toward the bandage on the back of his head. "Did you go to the hospital to change your dressing?"
"Hmm." He nodded. "The doctor said the wound is healing well."
A relieved smile spread across her face. "That’s good."
She lowered her hand, but before she could pull it away, Elias caught her wrist. With one swift movement, he pulled her closer.
Elena stumbled against his chest. "W-What are you doing?" she asked quietly. Her heart suddenly started racing faster.
He looked at her with an amused smile. "What am I doing?" he repeated. "I’m trying to woo my wife. Am I not allowed?"
Her cheeks instantly turned scarlet. She lowered her gaze, unable to hide the shy smile tugging at her lips.
"You are still injured," she murmured. "Focus on recovering first."
"But I don’t want to wait," he whispered, leaning closer.
His warm breath brushed against her face, sending a pleasant shiver through her body.
Elena tightened her fingers around the fabric of her skirt, her cheeks burning even hotter.
"I don’t want you hurting yourself again," she whispered. "Wait until you’ve completely recovered."
Elias rested his forehead against hers. "Waiting is torture, Elena."
Her heart skipped a beat.
The truth was, she wanted him just as much. But every time she looked at the bandage on his forehead, she remembered that he had been hurt while saving her.
She couldn’t let him risk reopening his wound.
"If you wait," she whispered, her eyes sparkling mischievously, "I’ll give you a surprise."
His eyes lit up immediately. "What surprise?"
She smiled teasingly. "If I tell you now, it won’t be a surprise anymore."
A soft laugh escaped him. "Fair enough."
He reluctantly leaned back against his seat. "I won’t spoil your surprise. I’ll wait."
After a brief pause, his smile gradually faded. "By the way, I have to leave on a business trip."
Elena blinked. "A business trip?"
He nodded. After a moment of hesitation, he asked quietly, "Will you come with me?"
Her eyes widened in surprise. "You want me to go with you?"
During the five years she had been with Noah, he had never once taken her along on a business trip.
For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.
"We are newly married," Elias said. "I don’t want to be away from you, not even for a day."
His fingers gently intertwined with hers. "Come with me."
A bright smile blossomed across Elena’s face. She nodded eagerly.
"I’ll come."
His face immediately lit up. "Great."
He started the engine. "Then let’s go home and pack our bags."
The car smoothly pulled away.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the Sterling mansion...
Vivian walked into the mansion in a daze.
Her eyes were empty, and every step felt unusually heavy.
Her mind replayed the horrifying memories over and over again—the rough hands tearing at her clothes, the disgusting touches, the camera pointed at her.
The worst part was that Elias had orchestrated everything.
She couldn’t believe the man she had loved for so many years had humiliated her just to avenge his wife.
Tears silently rolled down her cheeks. But beneath those tears, hatred burned fiercely.
’I’ll never forget what happened today... And I won’t let them forget it either.’
"Stop right there." Amber’s sharp voice echoed through the living room.
Vivian froze. She looked up and saw her mother sitting on the sofa.
The icy fury in Amber’s eyes made Vivian’s heart skip a beat.
"Where were you all night?" Amber demanded.
Heat crept up Vivian’s neck. She forced an awkward smile.
"I-I stayed at my friend’s house."
"Which friend?"
Vivian’s smile immediately stiffened. Without thinking, she said a name: "Sasha."
"Sasha?" Amber repeated slowly. "Are you sure?"
Vivian laughed nervously. "Of course. Mom..."
She walked over and sat beside her, wrapping an arm around Amber’s. "I’m sorry for making you worry."
She pouted innocently. "I got drunk last night, so I stayed at her place. Please don’t be angry."