Chapter 32 I'm Your Man

Having waited for an opportunity to catch Director Ray alone, Eleanor approached decisively. "Director Ray, I'm Eleanor from Gaia BioTech Industries Project Department."

Ray pondered for a few seconds, his eyes holding a mystery Eleanor couldn't decipher, then offered a friendly smile and a handshake. "Ah, Miss Patterson, it's nice to meet you."

"I didn't want to interrupt your busy schedule before, but I saw you today and wondered if we might have a chat?"

Director Ray's gaze briefly assessed the documents she was holding, clearly seeing through the coincidence she had orchestrated.

Recognizing the ruse but not acknowledging it, he apologized with a smile, "I'm sorry, Miss Patterson, but Gaia BioTech Industries isn't on our list of potential partners. I'm afraid you might have made this trip in vain."

Even though Eva had introduced Eleanor and the others, the high and mighty stance of the staff from Quinn Corporation's Project Department often intimidated industry insiders. Quinn Corporation had the clout to back up their attitude.

His flat refusal, however, sparked doubt in Eleanor.

"Gaia BioTech Industries has been growing rapidly over the past few years. There's always room for fresh talent, and modern partnerships are the trend. Why not review our proposal before making a decision, Director Ray?"

Her pitch was compelling. The marketplace thrived on youthful energy, but Director Ray remained unmoved, politely declining. "I'm sorry, Miss Patterson."

Eleanor's gaze sharpened, catching a flicker of embarrassment on his face. "Is there something you're not at liberty to discuss, Director Ray?"

His expression stalled, and Eleanor felt certain of her guess. "Is this Aaron's doing?"

Director Ray was a veteran at Quinn Corporation, a contemporary of Aaron's father. Nobody but Aaron had the influence to sway him, and his silence seemed to confirm her suspicion.

Reluctant to cause further discomfort, Eleanor expressed her understanding. "I apologize for the intrusion, Director Ray."
"Miss Patterson," he called after her. Eleanor understood the difficulty of the situation as well as the hardships the young woman must be facing.

"Aaron wants you to discuss the partnership with him personally."

Eleanor's heart sank, but she kept her composure. "Thank you."

Turning back, Edward noticed her crestfallen demeanor. "Not going well?" he asked.

It was an understatement. It felt like she had been defeated before she even began. Eleanor truly grasped the breadth of her disappointment today.

"Do you want me to have a word with my cousin for you?"

Eleanor immediately shook her head. "You've done so much already. Besides, if I can't even secure this deal, I've got no business facing Mr. Quinn."

Moreover, she was eyeing the Deputy Director position.

But she knew that Aaron wouldn't want just a simple partnership talk. She had a pretty good idea of what he was after.

In a single gulp, Eleanor downed her fruit wine.

The alcohol content seemed higher tonight. It was only fruit wine, and yet she felt tipsy—how odd.

After Edward reminded his mother to drink less, he returned to find Eleanor leaning on a couch, hand on her forehead, her cheeks flushed red as if she were drunk.

His heart softened. "Shall I take you home?" he whispered gently.

Eleanor's bleary eyes fluttered open to the proximity of someone else. Instinctively guarded, she relaxed when she realized it was Edward and blinked.

Suddenly, a wave of warmth surged through her and her thoughts muddled.

Something was off, she faintly realized but couldn't articulate the problem.

Edward, finding her so inebriated yet endearing, helped her up from the sofa. Fortunately, a drunk Eleanor was compliant; she didn't thrash or spout nonsense.

"I'll take her home."

Eva recognized that was Edward and said with trust. "Appreciate your help then."

Supporting Eleanor, Edward led her out of the banquet hall. The corridor was empty. He propped her with one hand and pressed the elevator button with the other when suddenly Eleanor slipped, as if all strength had left her.

Thankfully, he was quick to react, but another hand was quicker, sweeping Eleanor into an embrace!

With her eyes half-closed, the man's features were a blur before Eleanor. She mumbled, "Aaron... you bastard..."

Aaron's expression turned cold, his grip around her tightening involuntarily, causing Eleanor to wince in pain.

A defiant whimper escaped her lips as she squirmed.

"Can't behave?" Aaron pinched her cheek nonchalantly as if no one else were present.

Eleanor dodged and instinctively buried her face into his chest.
A flicker of confusion crossed Edward's eyes before he turned to Aaron and said, "Mr. Quinn's tied up. I'll take Eleanor home."

"I'm more available than you are," Aaron replied curtly, sweeping Eleanor into his arms and stepping into the elevator.

Blake intercepted Edward outside, holding him back.

As the elevator doors slid closed, waves of heat surged through Eleanor's body. She could barely breathe, her faint, mosquito-like whispers audible only to Aaron.

"Put me down..."

Aaron bent down, kissing her parted lips casually while glancing up. The doors sealed shut, capturing Edward's momentarily pale face and the complexity in his eyes...

...

In the dimly-lit room, Eleanor felt as though she was drowning in fire. She struggled up from the bed, weakened and collapsing back, her head rocking on the pillow.

Her seaweed-like cascading curls spread out, her starry blue mermaid dress swaying with her movements, making her look like a beached beauty out of water.

Aaron stood at the bedside, tearing off his tie with one hand, then leaning in with both hands planted beside her and kissing her fiercely.

The cool wetness of his approach made her lose control and draw closer.

Fingernail marks etched into her palms as she regained a shred of her wits, turning her face aside. But he effortlessly caught her lips once more, nibbling on her lower lip cruelly.

Eleanor responded uncontrollably. She was burning up, her soul tormented with thirst for water, for the chill, for... the man.

Never had she imagined herself in such a wanton scene, crying helplessly and terrified.

"Get away!" Regaining her senses, she tried to wriggle out from under Aaron, clutching the front of her torn gown.

She gasped for air, whispering a plea, "Take me... take me to the hospital."

Aaron effortlessly pulled her back, pinning her down with a voice more gravely and hoarse than usual, "I'm here."

"You're despicable!" Eleanor aimed a slap at him, but he caught her wrist and pinned it above her head.

He loomed over her again, his voice emotionless, "Want to hit me?"

"You drugged me!"

It wasn't a question; it was an accusation.

His face turned dark, "Why not suspect Edward? He's the one who took you home."

"He's a gentleman."

He tightened his grip on her chin, making her look into his eyes, "And what am I?"

Overwhelmed by the lust, Eleanor lost her reason again. She cried and writhed against Aaron's bare chest, shamelessly kissing and biting his muscles.

Aaron gripped her face determinedly, "Eleanor, I am your man."