Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 194

Chapter 194: Chapter 194: You need to get to the office right now
Eric squinted, observing Agnes for a few seconds before she suddenly rushed forward, cupping his face with trembling hands.

“Eric, is everything okay with you? Why did you visit the pharmacy the other day, and now this medicine? What’s wrong?” she demanded, her voice tinged with desperation.

Eric’s brows knitted together as Agnes continued to babble nervously. But then, her frantic words faltered, and a flicker of realization crossed her face.

“Wait… how did you know I went to the pharmacy?” Eric’s expression darkened, his gaze hardening as suspicion clouded his features.

Agnes’ heart pounded against her ribcage. She hadn’t meant to slip up, but the truth was out. Diana had sent her the pictures of Eric with Winter, but admitting that now would only make things worse.

Thinking fast, she forced a smile. “Winter! Winter told me. She mentioned you forgot this bottle back there and asked me to give it to you.” Her fingers fumbled in her bag before she pulled out a small bottle, thrusting it into Eric’s hand.

Eric’s gaze shifted to the bottle, his jaw tightening. His mind raced, remembering the importer’s claim—only two bottles of this specific medicine were sent out. One was destroyed, and the other…

“You met Winter?” he asked, his tone flat but his eyes sharp, searching her face.

Agnes swallowed, panic simmering beneath her fragile facade. “Y-Yes, she called me because she wanted to give the bottle to you.”

Silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

Eric’s eyes narrowed. Her story didn’t add up. The pieces didn’t fit, and suspicion twisted in his gut.

“Winter called you? To give me the bottle?” His voice was calm, almost too calm, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his gaze.

Agnes’ smile wavered. “Yes… she… she thought you needed it urgently, and I… I just thought I could help.”

Eric’s silence was a verdict in itself. He stared at the bottle in his hand, then back at Agnes. “Strange,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble. “Because Winter has no reason to involve you.”

The air grew thick, tension coiling between them. Agnes’s pulse hammered in her ears. She had lied, but it was falling apart faster than she expected.

“Agnes,” Eric’s voice was measured, his gaze like a blade. “Are you lying to me?”

Agnes fumbled, her eyes wide as she shook her head. “Why would I lie to you, Eric? Why do you always think I’m the one in the wrong when she’s always been the problem?”

Eric’s expression tightened. He knew he had struck a nerve, but before he could calm her, Agnes grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong.

“You’re mine, Eric. All mine,” she hissed, a desperate malice in her voice. “And she should know that, right?”

Eric’s gaze darkened, a chill settling over his thoughts. He had long realized that Agnes’s obsession had crossed dangerous lines. If he didn’t handle this carefully, things could spiral out of control.

“Yes,” he murmured, forcing a gentle smile. “I’m all yours, Agnes.”

‘But not for too long.’

Instantly, the tension in her face melted away, her eyes softening with relief. His words seemed to erase the seeds of doubt Winter had tried to plant in her.

But Eric knew better. Winter hadn’t lied. She had only tried to warn Agnes—to make her see the truth before it was too late.

***

Winter was en route to J&K International when her phone buzzed urgently. Sean’s voice crackled through the line, tense and hurried.

“Lady Boss, you need to get to the office right away.”

Winter’s brows knitted in confusion, but she wasted no time. “Step on it,” she instructed the driver, her heart pounding. In less than ten minutes, she was striding into Kalix’s office, her presence commanding immediate attention.

Inside, the tension was thick. Mr. Helms, a prominent investor of J&K International, stood fuming, his face flushed with anger.

“I thought we had a confidentiality agreement, Mr. Andreas! So how is it that the design your company provided us is now in the hands of another company?”

Kalix stood behind his desk, his expression unreadable, but a cold fury simmered beneath his calm demeanor.

“Mr. Helms, I assure you, we are investigating this breach. But you have my word—Andreas Corporation does not engage in such dishonesty.” Kalix’s voice was steady, but his gaze was sharp.

Winter’s gaze shifted between them, quickly piecing together the situation.

Kalix’s company had been collaborating with Mr. Helms on a revolutionary software set for launch at the end of the month. But word had suddenly come that Greyson Enterprises had not only acquired the same designs but had also launched them first, threatening to eclipse their market debut.

But soon Mr. Helm’s eyes fell on Winter. “Don’t tell me you are betraying us because you have to save your wife’s family from the ruins.”

Winter’s face paled, and her eyes shot to Kalix, but before she could speak, his voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“You are crossing the line, Mr. Helms,” Kalix warned, his voice low and lethal. “I dare you to speak another word against my wife. Trust me—you will regret it.”

Mr. Helms recoiled slightly, the seething rage in Kalix’s cold eyes making him falter. But after a brief moment, he straightened, trying to regain his composure.

“Then how do you justify this, Mr. Andreas?” Helms demanded, forcing confidence into his tone. “We have invested millions, and now we are facing losses. Who will take responsibility?”

Kalix’s jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists, but before he could respond, Winter stepped forward, a calm authority radiating from her.

“Mr. Helms,” she began, her voice steady but firm, “I understand your frustration. Your investment and trust are important to us. But let’s not make any hasty decisions. Give us a few hours to investigate this breach. If we discover any foul play, you will be the first to know.”

Mr. Helms’ glare wavered under Winter’s poised gaze, the fire in his eyes dimming slightly. “You have until the end of the day, Mrs. Andreas. After that, I will have no choice but to reconsider our agreement.”

As Helms stormed out, Winter felt the tension thicken, but she kept her shoulders squared. The moment the door closed, she turned to Kalix.

“This is a disaster,” Winter whispered, her voice now laced with urgency. “Who could have accessed those designs?”

Kalix’s gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. “That’s what we’re about to find out.”

Winter’s brows knitted in worry, her fingers clenching. “Kalix, trust me, I didn’t—”

“Shh…” Kalix interrupted, stepping closer and gently pulling her into his arms.

His hand cradled the back of her head, his touch both protective and soothing. “Don’t blame yourself. I know you haven’t done anything. But someone around us has.”

His voice was a quiet promise, but beneath his calm exterior, Winter could feel the tension in his body. He was just as troubled as she was. Both their minds raced, thoughts tangled in the same question—who had betrayed them?

“We’ll get to the bottom of this,” Kalix murmured against her hair, his voice a mix of resolve and quiet fury. “And when we do, they will regret ever crossing us.”