Sebastian''s eyes narrowed.


    His gaze was icy, like a frozenke.


    "Joey, anything but this. Name your price."


    "But this is all I want, Mr. Winters. You can''t back out now."


    Sebastian''s stern face loomed closer, his tall frame pinning her down.


    His hot breath washed over her face.


    "Joey, are you that desperate to get rid of me? So eager to run into another man''s arms?"


    Joey met his gaze calmly, "Whatever you think."


    Sebastian''s voice turned cold and ruthless, "Forget it. You''re not leaving until our contract is up! I''ll make sure the Vales pay for this."


    With that, he mmed the door and left.


    No one knew how Sebastian pressured Isabe, but she ended up in a hospital gown, apologizing to Joey.


    The Vale Family alsopensated Joey for emotional distress but warned they wouldn''t go easy on her when court convenes on the third.


    Joey didn''t tell her dad, Benjamin ckwood, about her near-drowning, afraid it would upset him.


    The day she was discharged, she nned to go back to her small apartment but got a call from Benjamin.


    "Dad, what''s up?"


    Benjamin''s voice was cheerful, "Joey, I''m at the construction site. I forgot my medicine. Can you bring it to me?"


    Joey knew the consequences of her dad missing his meds, so she agreed without hesitation.


    She grabbed the medicine from the hospital pharmacy and drove straight to the site.


    It was Joey''s first time there.


    The project was a coboration with the Winters Group, and some employees recognized her and greeted her.


    Within minutes, she was drenched in sweat from the heat.


    Just as she was about to call her dad, someone ced a safety helmet on her head.


    Joey turned around and saw Sebastian''s chiseled face.


    He was wearing the shirt and pants she had bought him, with a blue safety helmet on his head.


    Sweat trickled down his jawline into his cor.


    Seeing Joey''s surprised expression, Sebastian chuckled, "Don''t you recognize me?"


    He adjusted the helmet on her head and fastened it, his voice deepening.


    "Youe to the site without any protection. Secretary ckwood, do you want something to happen to my project?"


    Joey was taken aback, "What are you doing here?"


    She thought it couldn''t be such a coincidence.


    Her dad asked for medicine, and she just happened to run into Sebastian.


    She had been giving him the cold shoulder during her hospital stay because of Isabe.


    Sebastian frowned, "This is my project. Of course, I''m here. But Secretary ckwood, you just got out of the hospital and came running here. Aren''t you worried about your health?"


    Just then, Joey saw Benjamin approaching.


    She immediately made a shushing gesture towards Sebastian.novelbin


    He nodded with a smile while tightly gripping her hand.


    His eyes held a suggestive look, implying that if she resisted, he would reveal her hospital stay.


    As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s is your destination for theplete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Joey didn''t believe he could be so shameless. She tried to pull her hand away, only to hear Sebastian''s deep voice above her.


    "Mr. ckwood, is Joey really afraid of water?"


    Joey froze, her body stiffening.


    She let Sebastian hold her, her teeth clenched.


    Benjamin chuckled awkwardly, "Yeah, she fell into the water once and almost drowned. She''s been scared ever since."


    He quickly changed the subject, "Where''s my medicine? You see me and don''t even think to give it to me, just busy being affectionate. I really don''t get young people."


    He took the medicine from Joey and swallowed two pills.


    Sebastian sensed Benjamin''s reluctance to discuss it, hinting at the event''s trauma for Joey.


    If he guessed right, it must have happened after she dropped out of school.


    What had Joey gone through that year?


    Why did her family avoid the topic?


    Sebastian put his arm around Joey''s shoulder and said, "I''m free this afternoon. How about I treat Mr. ckwood and the project managers to lunch?"


    Benjamin was pleased. Heughed, "They''ll be thrilled to have a meal with you."


    Just as Benjamin said, the project managers were excited to hear they''d be dining with Sebastian. They were all in high spirits, like they were going on a date. During the meal, Sebastian kept ordering Joey food, barely eating himself.


    The others weren''t fools. Someone whispered to Benjamin, "Mr. ckwood, is Mr. Winters your future son-inw?"


    Benjamin neither confirmed nor denied it. He justughed and raised his ss.


    Sebastian didn''t avoid the topic. He even asked Benjamin, "Mr. ckwood, how did you like the supplements I sent youst time? If they worked well, I''ll get you some more."


    As you reach the final pages, remember that 000005s is your destination for theplete story. Share the joy of reading with others and spread the word. The next chapter is just a visit away! Benjamin waved his hand with a smile, "No need, they were too valuable. My health has improved a lot."


    "Then they worked. I''ll have someone get more."


    Everyone knew how rare and expensive those supplements were.


    They started at millions of dors at auctions.


    And everyone knew that Sebastian had never been so warm to anyone.


    So, his conversation with Benjamin confirmed their rtionship.


    The project managers immediately raised their sses to toast Benjamin, hoping for his future support.


    After the meal, Sebastian led Joey in front of Benjamin.


    In the car, Joey looked at him coldly.


    "Sebastian, what will it take for you to let go?"


    Sebastian fastened her seatbelt and seized the moment to kiss her, his voice hoarse, "Joey, I regret writing the contract for three months. I should have made it three years or longer." Joey sneered, "Aren''t you afraid that if it takes too long, the child I give birth to will be closer to me and won''t recognize you or Isabe?"


    Sebastian looked at her, puzzled, "What does our child have to do with her?"


    "You''re right. The child I give birth to has nothing to do with her, and not a bit to do with you either!"


    Seeing Joey''s eyes redden, Sebastian pressed, "What did Isabe say to you?"


    Joey sneered, "Don''t you think it''s toote to ask now? If you want to know, go ask her. See how she nders me!"


    With that, she unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and got into her own.


    Sebastian angrily mmed the steering wheel and dialed Tyler Green.


    "Your wife has a USB drive with a video from your daughter''s birthday. I want to see it."