Chapter 58

Dominic’s lips twisted into a cold smile. His sharp, unreadable eyes bore into Blake. “Are you truly so confident that I won’t be able to find her?”

Blake sat back down, his innuendo barely concealed. “If your goal is to remove me from my position, Mr. Reid, then just say so. There’s no need to accuse me of a crime I didn’t—”

“I’m asking where Ms. Gildon is!”

The sharp crack of Dominic’s hand slamming onto the table reverberated through the room. In that instant, his expression transformed—one moment, he was cold and aloof; the next, his gaze was razor-sharp, like a blade flashing in the light.

Blake’s pupils betrayed a flash of shock. Nonetheless, he quickly regained his composure, adopting a fearless stance. “I don’t know where Ms. Gildon is! If you’re convinced I’m involved, then show me the evidence, Mr. Reid.”

His defiance echoed through the room, firm and resolute.

Dominic stifled his anger, his expression growing as cold as ice. His heart, too, felt frozen. He had intentionally provoked Blake, hoping for an instinctive reaction. Unlike Derek, Blake showed no sign of panic.

When Dominic asked if Blake was confident he wouldn’t be able to find her, a hint of nervousness crept into Blake’s expression, his demeanor remaining calm and unwavering.

Could it be… Vespera was truly gone for good?

Dominic’s lips clenched tightly.

“I have a bad habit—I’m fiercely protective. If someone dares to harm those under my wing, I’ll make sure they die without a grave to rest in. And it seems, Mr. Blake, you’re eager to find out exactly what that means.”

Blake fell silent, meeting Dominic’s gaze—cold, emotionless, as if he were already staring at a corpse. A chill ran down his spine, and he swallowed hard.

Despite this, he forced himself to stay composed. “What’s there to fear? Derek was the one who locked her up. She was the one who jumped out the window like an idiot. That’s not on me,” he mused inwardly.

“Mr. Reid, I understand your concern for Ms. Gildon—we all do. If you need someone to blame and have decided it should be me and Mr. Chavez, then so be it.

“All I ask is that you don’t take your frustration out on innocent people. They’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Everyone here has poured their heart and soul into this company. If you let your emotions over a single woman cloud your judgment, you’ll only drive away the people who have stood by your side.”

As he spoke, his voice trembled, and tears threatened to spill.

Unaware of the full story, the others in the room began to shift, their dissatisfaction with Dominic growing.

This was precisely what Blake had planned—to provoke emotions, especially in Nancy. And sure enough, Nancy’s expression darkened, resentment flickering in her eyes. Dominic stood unmoving, his entire presence exuding a chilling, murderous aura.

At that moment, Gerard stepped out to take a call. When he returned, his expression had visibly brightened, and he strode directly to Dominic.

“Derek confided, ‘Ms. Gildon is being held at his family’s estate,’” he whispered.

“Luke will handle things there. Track and search within a five-mile radius of the property,” Dominic replied.

“But the estate is by the sea.”

A weight settled in Dominic’s chest. The chill that had been gnawing at him now seeped into his very bones.

A body lost in the sea would be nearly impossible to recover.

Dominic’s expression grew darker, a dreadful suspicion forming in Gerard’s mind. However, there was no time to dwell on it. Without hesitation, he left the meeting room to carry out Dominic’s orders, gathering a team to search the area. Meanwhile, the rest of the room had been quietly watching their hushed conversation. Seeing Gerard’s urgent departure, unease spread among them. Had they found her?

Those involved in the kidnapping broke into cold sweats.

Blake muttered to himself, “Looks like that idiot Derek got himself caught, and sang like a canary.”

Feigning concern, Blake spoke up. “Is there any news about Ms. Gildon?”

Dominic’s sharp gaze caught the fleeting smirk that tugged at Blake’s lips.

If he were anything like Luke, he wouldn’t hesitate—he’d put a bullet in this bastard’s skull first and deal with the consequences later.