Chapter 843

Lucian had been trapped in back-to-back meetings all day, completely oblivious to Rosalind's visit to his office.

His stormy gaze locked onto Genevieve. "Did you know about Whitmore Holdings' crisis and intentionally prevent Rosalind from seeing me?"

Genevieve's hands trembled as she shook her head. "I had no idea—I swear I can explain—"

Reginald stepped forward to defend her. "I'm certain Genevieve wouldn't deliberately—"

Lucian silenced him with a single glare before turning back to Genevieve. "You're banned from Quantum Innovations. Don't ever set foot here again."

He snapped his fingers at his assistant. "Track Rosalind's location immediately. Prepare my car—I'm leaving now."

The assistant nodded briskly. "Right away, sir."

Without another glance at the stunned room, Lucian bolted toward the elevators, his entire being focused on finding Rosalind.

Genevieve stood frozen, watching helplessly as the man she loved chased after another woman. The public humiliation burned through her like acid. Three years of devotion, erased in one brutal moment.

Reginald reached out hesitantly. "Don't take it to heart—"

Lillian cut him off with a sharp glare. "Stop making excuses for her!"

Reginald hesitated. "She genuinely cares for Lucian—"

"Do you even understand what my brother wants?" Lillian countered. "You claim to be his friend yet keep pushing him toward the wrong woman. Is that what friendship means to you?"

Before Reginald could respond, Lillian spun on her heel and marched out.

"Lillian, wait—"

Genevieve's nails dug into her palms. Everything had spiraled out of control since Lucian's sister arrived. That meddling woman had shattered whatever fragile understanding she'd built with Lucian over the years.

Three years. She'd given him three years of her life. She couldn't walk away now.

Desperation colored her voice as she grabbed Reginald's sleeve. "Rosalind will destroy him again. You saw what happened last time. Help me protect him."

Reginald met her pleading gaze, conflict flashing across his face—

Then he too walked away.

Genevieve's breath came in short gasps. She wouldn't accept this. She couldn't lose him. Not like this.

Meanwhile, Rosalind combed through the city with relentless determination, checking every possible location twice.

Her assistant offered a water bottle. "Ms. Fairchild, you should rest."

Rosalind shook her head. Every second counted. That missing worker held the key to saving Whitmore Holdings.

Julian Blackwood's pressure tactics wouldn't work on her. Neither would the Johnsons' hollow olive branch. She needed to find that witness herself.

But as hours slipped by, the trail remained cold.

Suddenly, Rosalind paused. "Have we checked his childhood home?"

The assistant nodded. "Completely empty."

Rosalind's mind raced. If Julian didn't have the worker, then he must be hiding—somewhere no one would think to look.

Somewhere even Julian's men wouldn't find him.

The realization struck like lightning. She knew exactly where to look next.