Chapter 2

At those words, Tristan loosened his grip on Genevieve's chin. Genevieve flicked her wrist, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Not bad. You behaved yourself." Then, she lowered her head and tied off the final stitch with efficiency. The bleeding had stopped, and the wound was neatly bandaged. Genevieve rose to her feet, tossed the used gauze into a trash bag, then said, "Don't move around. If you want to stay alive, do as you're told. Also, keep it dry. If it gets infected, you won't survive it." Having said her piece, she picked up the trauma kit and turned to leave. After all, that despicable pair downstairs was still waiting to be dealt with. She had no time to play along with the Lambert family's illegitimate son and his self-pitying act. To Genevieve, a cheating man was no different from rotting garbage. She wouldn't tolerate it even for a second. She had just pushed open the door and barely taken two steps when Tristan's hoarse voice came from behind her. "Take me home." But she didn't slow down, giving him nothing but a cold sideways glance. "I don't have time." "I was drugged. Are you really going to leave me here to die?" Tristan's voice was calm, yet unyielding. At that, Genevieve laughed out loud, her eyes filled with mockery. "Drugged? Then I should stay even farther away." With that, she strode toward the elevator without a backward glance. The wind whipped across the rooftop and carried her words off into the air. But a second later, footsteps followed close behind. As the elevator doors slid shut, a tall shadow slipped into the cramped space with her. Genevieve turned sideways and leaned against the wall, deliberately putting distance between herself and Tristan. All the while, she treated him as if he didn't exist. Suddenly, the cramped space felt suffocating. The moment the doors closed, Tristan moved in. Without warning, he crushed his lips to Genevieve's in a kiss so fierce it stole her breath—pure heat and madness. Tristan trapped her against him, his hand gripping her waist. His body was so hot that it felt like it could set her on fire. The sudden kiss left Genevieve gasping for air. "Tristan Hale!" She reacted instantly and drove her knee up on instinct. But he was ready. His hand pressed firmly against her knee, rendering her struggles useless. Tristan's breathing grew ragged. Genevieve twisted her head away with all her strength, only for him to seize her chin. "Look at me!" she yelled. Genevieve clenched her teeth and shoved his shoulders with everything she had. "I'm Genevieve! Your brother's wife!" However, reason meant nothing to someone who had already lost it. Tristan drew in a deep breath at the crook of her neck. That familiar, addictive scent nearly drove him mad. Genevieve couldn't believe how absurd this was. She could take down a dozen grown men without breaking a sweat, yet she had been successfully ambushed by this lunatic. Both her hands were pinned above her head against the icy metal wall, her body entirely at Tristan's mercy. She could feel it all—his heat, his racing heartbeat, and the unmistakable hardness pressing against her through their clothes. "Let go!" Genevieve shouted, her eyes blazing with deadly intent. The world had gone mad. But of course, her threat did nothing. Tristan only tightened his grip and refused to let go. Right then, the elevator dinged, and the display lit up. They were about to reach their floor. Genevieve huffed. She had come to catch Zachary cheating and get a divorce. Yet, here she was, being kissed by Tristan, her brother-in-law. … Meanwhile, in the CEO's office, a lingering tension hung in the air. Regina lay on the couch. Her cheeks were flushed, and her fingers were still clutching the corner of Zachary's shirt. He lowered his head and pressed a light kiss to her collarbone, his eyes brimming with satisfaction and indulgence. "Zach…" Regina called out softly. "I'm sorry. You're married now. We shouldn't be doing this. If Genevieve finds out, she'll be furious." Zachary replied, "It's not your fault, silly. You're always thinking about everyone else and hurting yourself in the process. That's what hurts me." Just as he was about to lean down for a kiss, the sudden vibration of his phone interrupted him. He frowned and glanced at the caller ID. It was his mother, Sylvia Jenkins. The moment he answered, her anger came through loud and clear. "Where are you? Your grandfather collapsed and has been sent to the hospital. Get Genevieve here immediately! Do you hear me?" Zachary massaged his temples, irritation flashing across his face. This wasn't Raymond's first hospitalization. Every time, he would demand that Zachary bring Genevieve along, only to wake up perfectly fine and immediately start pressuring them to have children. Zachary was sick of it. He wasn't interested in Genevieve at all, thinking she was an unsophisticated woman. In his eyes, she was just a maid the Lamberts could summon and brush off whenever they wanted. Besides, he had finally gotten back together with Regina and couldn't bear to be apart from her. Zachary's gaze swept over Regina, who was in his arms. "Got it," he replied curtly. "I'll call Genevieve and tell her to go herself." Sylvia's anger flared up at once. "Tell her to go by herself? I don't care what you're doing. Just get to the hospital now! "Zachary Lambert, if you don't show up, that brat Regina will be on the first plane out of the country tomorrow!" Before he could respond, Sylvia hung up, leaving only the shrill dial tone. His grip on the phone tightened, and his heart sank. Zachary hadn't expected Sylvia to have already uncovered his secret. He had gone to great lengths to bring Regina back, hiding her every step of the way. But now, she had become someone else's leverage. He believed that it was all Genevieve's fault. If she hadn't interfered back then, and if she hadn't gotten Raymond to step in and force the marriage, Regina would never have been sent abroad. On the couch, Regina picked up on the tension. She tugged at his sleeve cautiously and asked, "Did something happen?" "It's nothing," Zachary gently reassured her, brushing the loose strands of hair from her forehead. "It's just a minor issue at home. I'll be back soon." With that, he stood, straightened his clothes, and bent down to kiss the corner of her lips. "Don't go anywhere, okay? Have a good rest. I'll deal with things and come back as soon as I can." Regina pulled the blanket higher, obedient as ever. "Be careful. I'll wait for you." No matter how reluctant he was, Zachary finished dressing and headed out. He glanced back at her several times before finally turning away. But the moment the door closed, the smile on Regina's face vanished. "That idiot is still as easy to fool as ever," she muttered. … As he headed for the elevator, Zachary called Genevieve, yet no one answered. Irritation surged, and he quickened his pace. He had just reached the elevator when he dialed her number again. As the elevator doors slid open, he heard a phone vibrating. Zachary looked up and directly frowned at what he saw inside.