Melody Monroe quickly pressed the button for the twentieth floor again, but there was still no response.
Suddenly, the elevator lurched downward. A cold sweat broke out on her skin, and she desperately clutched the handrail.
The elevator stabilized and began to ascend again. She noticed that none of the floor buttons were lit. 'Where is this elevator going?' She was terrified.
Suddenly, the elevator doors opened. Melody Monroe rushed out, and in her panic, crashed right into someone's arms!
Evan Fairchild furrowed his brow, looking down at the woman in his arms. A flicker of contempt and impatience crossed his features as he grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her away.
The impact made Melody's nose sting. Before she could even process what happened, she was shoved again, sending her stumbling back against the wall. The pain brought tears to her eyes.
Evan Fairchild raised a hand and brushed off his suit with an expression of pure disgust, then turned and headed for the elevator.
Ignoring the pain, Melody Monroe quickly jabbed the elevator button. The doors, which had just begun to close, slid open again.
Evan Fairchild's brow tightened once more, his icy gaze landing on Melody Monroe.
"This elevator is broken. It malfunctioned on the way up." Melody Monroe's gaze was fixed on the man's chest. She kept her head down, clutching her dress together, afraid he would see that it was torn.
She had planned to just give him the warning and then leave, but the moment she finished speaking, a hand seized her wrist, and she was yanked into the elevator!
His tall frame advanced on her, pinning her in the corner as the elevator doors slid shut.
'Melody Monroe cursed a blue streak in her mind. She regretted this so much! The man was incredibly rude; if she had known, she would have never warned him about the broken elevator!'
"The elevator is broken?" The man's voice came from right above her head. It was deep, yet maddeningly pleasant to the ear.
'But why did he sound so strange?'
"Miss, it's not just the elevator that's broken. Your dress is, too."
Melody Monroe quickly clutched her dress tighter.
The man leaned in closer. She could feel the warmth of his breath near the crown of her head, and the proximity made her extremely uncomfortable.
"So, what's next? Shall we go to my room and... take a closer look at that torn dress of yours? Or would you prefer to do it right here?"
Melody Monroe could clearly hear the sarcasm in his voice.
'This guy is sick! Does he actually think I'm trying to seduce him?!'
She immediately raised her free hand and shoved the man with all her might!
Evan Fairchild didn't budge an inch.
He easily caught the slender arm pushing against his chest, holding her fast.
"Let go of me!" Melody Monroe fumed, struggling with all her might.
Evan Fairchild held her hand firmly. He felt like he was holding a little rabbit by the scruff of its neck. She barely reached his chest and had no real strength, but the way she thrashed about, trying to look fierce, was actually... somewhat cute.
'Still, he had no goodwill or interest in women who threw themselves at him.'
He yanked her arm, spinning her around so they were no longer face to face.
Before Melody Monroe could react, she found herself with her back to him!
'How could this position be so... humiliating!'
"Bastard! If you don't let me go, I'll report you for harassment! There's a camera in this elevator, and it's recording everything you're doing! The evidence is irrefutable!" Melody Monroe snarled through clenched teeth.
Evan Fairchild's gaze swept over her, gradually growing darker.
As she struggled, the dress slipped further down her shoulders.
That dark gaze slowly began to burn with heat...
'She shows up on his floor wearing a torn dress. And after all that talk... Was she really just playing hard to get?'