Chapter 4 The Crisis
945 Words
Sam chuckled smugly, stepping on the gas.
"Good. I'll let it slide this time. We still need you for later. Company interests come first, after all."
Beverly clenched her jaw and forced herself to sit upright.
She kept telling herself, 'Workplace harassment exists everywhere. If I could avoid Sam, there'd be another Sam waiting somewhere down the line.'
As long as she refused to comply, what could he possibly do?
The ride to the venue was tense. Beverly kept her guard up, her body rigid and alert.
Thankfully, Sam refrained from further advances, though his smugness lingered in the air like a bad stench.
When they arrived, the sight of Bennington Estate momentarily distracted her. The grand winery was straight out of a fairytale. Red velvet drapes adorned its stone walls, blending regal, old-world charm with the modern elegance of contemporary art installations scattered throughout the venue. It was an extravagant playground for the wealthy, filled with celebrities and business tycoons.
A waiter led them to the second floor. Beverly's chest tightened as she took in the glamorous scene.
The big shots and super stars were everywhere. Beverly took a deep breath to calm her racing heartbeat.
She told herself, 'Stay calm. It's just another business deal. Treat it like any other task.'
"Eric!"
Sam's voice broke her focus. He approached a man with a flattering smile. "I'm Sam, representing SH Company," he said. "We met last time. Do you remember?"
Eric Gaunt was lounging in the corner, a cigarette lazily balanced between his lips as he watched a group of dancers perform. He barely glanced at Sam, puffing a cloud of smoke. "SH? Never heard of it."
Laughter erupted around them, and Sam's face turned crimson. The public humiliation left him on the verge of snapping.
Beverly could see it. Eric was planning to back out of the deal.
As much as she despised Sam, she couldn't let this slip through her fingers. This was her first project, and failure wasn't an option. Steeling herself, she took a glass of wine from a passing waiter and walked up to Eric with as much confidence as she could muster.
"Eric," she said smoothly, her voice warm and honeyed, "it's an honor to finally meet you. I'm Beverly, Sam's assistant. A toast to you."
Before he could respond, she downed the glass in one go.
Only then did Eric's attention shift to her. His gaze lingered, taking in her radiant features, melodic voice, and the curves her tailored business attire couldn't hide.
Since when did SH Company have such a true stunner?
Leaning back in his chair, he smirked. "Come and sit. Let's talk this through, shall we?
Beverly could see the lecherous intent in his eyes, but she had no room to retreat.
'You survived college drinking parties. You can handle this,' she reminded herself of those nights when six beers were just a warm-up. As long as she stuck to one type of drink, she could pace herself.
Three rounds later, her head was spinning, her thoughts muddled.
"Mr. Gaunt, maybe we could go over the contract now?" she asked, her voice slightly unsteady.
"Oh, sweetheart, there's no need to worry about that," he drawled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Just keep me company tonight, and the contract's as good as done." His hand moved lower, pulling her closer.
Reacting sluggishly, Beverly managed to push him away, though she stumbled in the process. "Sir, I've spent weeks preparing for this. Let's focus on the deal. It's very important."
Eric's grip on her shoulder tightened, his breath hot with the stench of alcohol. "You're right. It is important."
She flinched, his words and touch pushing her to the brink of her tolerance.
"I'm not feeling well," she said hastily, grabbing her bag. "Perhaps we can revisit this another time when we're both in a better state."
As she turned to leave, Eric's face twisted in fury. He slammed his glass to the floor, shattering it.
"Who said you could leave? Get back here!"
This was bad. Beverly broke into a run, her heels clicking furiously against the marble floor. Behind her, Eric and his entourage were in pursuit, their voices echoing with vulgar threats.
"Someone! Help!" she called out while looking back, her voice trembling. She ran downstairs, but when she reached the next corner, she suddenly froze.
Standing at the foot of the staircase, his sharp profile unmistakable, was Elroy. 'Why him? Of all people, why him?!'
Her panic heightened as she glanced back to see Eric's men blocking the exit.
"You filthy little tease!" Eric snarled, grabbing her arm. "You're not going anywhere!"
His hand roamed her waist, sending a wave of revulsion through her. Beverly no longer cared about maintaining composure. She thrashed desperately, trying to free herself.
Elroy, meanwhile, had been halfway up the stairs, escorted by the winery's owner.
The commotion above caught his attention, and his sharp ears instantly recognized her voice amidst the chaos.
He turned, his gaze locking onto the struggling woman in the crowd. Instantly, his expression darkened, his presence turning cold and commanding.
The owner followed his sight, hesitating. "Mr. Bellone... do you know her?"
Elroy didn't look away. "Yes."
That single word was all it took. The owner gestured to his security team, who sprang into action, subduing Eric and his goons with professional efficiency.
Once the noise died down, the owner approached Eric and whispered something in his ear.
Eric's face turned pale, his bravado crumbling as he glanced toward Beverly and then back to Elroy.
His eyes widened in sheer terror, and his lips trembled uncontrollably.
This woman... she was Elroy's?!
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