Dax went to Skylar and started his work, usually giving the heads up to the legal department. It didn't take long before Dax's secretary went to his office and reported that the case was half completed that put off the air surrounding the Skylar.

The statement was released mentioning some unknown men disguised as the social media influencers who took the chance to enter the kitchen and dropped the drugs into the salt jar before the cops raided the place.

Those people were yet to be found, nonetheless, the employees of the restaurant were released with a lesson of never allowing anybody into the kitchen unless they were verified influencers.

Dax was satisfied that the case was resolved without much effect on the company other than the drop in share price. It would eventually rise after the night of Aarvi's identity and face reveal. It would also help Rivas Industries to stabilize better.

He rearranged Aarvi's next week schedule and dropped her a call to inform her about the work. Due to a busy network, he went downstairs for the press conference.

He was answering to the reporters when his eyes landed on Clark who was followed by three of his officers in semi uniforms.

The squad was already famous for solving the case swiftly so the reporters made way for them to reach Dax. Dax had his eyes on Tia.

Tia was wearing ankle-length boots on the black trousers. A leather handgun holder was wrapped around her thighs like other male officers. A black thick belt was tightly wrapped around her slim waist. They had skipped the jacket and wore the black half sleeve T-shirt that was printed with logos. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail giving the extra tough vibe to her appearance.

She might look delicate in dresses, yet she gave justice to the uniform. Her bare face was cold and serious while her sharp eyes were alert. Dax understood why she was bold when drunk but docile when she was on senses while being as Tia Spencer. She was never docile, to begin with. Fortunately or unfortunately, he likes toughness instead of the docile ones.

She didn't avert her gaze from him when they reached Dax and Clark eventually blocked Dax's sight. "CEO Grant." Clark, as usual, greeted him coldly while Tia had to turn and blocked the reporters.

Dax looked at Clark and unknowingly his irritation for that man was back with a strong urge to punch him in the face for no particular reason.

The reporters were screaming their questions at Dax and Clark but both men glared at each other. When a reporter asked if they were there for any questionnaire or to arrest Dax, Clark shrugged his shoulders, lifting an envelope to Dax's sight.

"We have some questions that would be helpful for further investigation, CEO Grant. Hope, you could cooperate with us." Clark's cold, firm voice reached the reporters.

Dax knew it was just a formality so he stepped aside pointing inside but he walked ahead. His secretary who witnessed everything was staring at Tia, disbelief was written all over his face when Dax walked next to him. Jerking awake from the stupor, he stammered, "T-This w-way please, Captain William." He led the team while the Skylar guards stopped the reporters.

Meanwhile, Tia was thinking why does she have only stubborn rude fellows around her. Her father, then Clark, and now Dax. She couldn't understand why they never respected her choice or was she wrong every time?

She didn't want to be a doctor but her father was against her. She didn't see Clark more than as a brother, a senior, and chief, yet he wasn't ready to let her breathe. And Dax, she knows she shouldn't have gotten into the relationship with Dax when she knew the complexity but was it wrong to follow her heart and also the work ethics?

She could only scold herself for thinking she could have a normal life after running away from home. From her experience, her life was filled with more struggles and nobody to listen to her. historical

Breathing an internal sigh, she was following other officers to the waiting room on the ground floor when she saw Dax in the pantry. She was thinking about how she should react when Dax's hand reached out and yanked her inside the pantry.

The other officers had gone ahead so they didn't realize her absence. They followed the secretary and were confused to see that Dax wasn't there. Dax was right in front of them and didn't know when he vanished.

Clark involuntarily looked behind and noticed Tia was also missing. He naturally understood where they were but had no idea about the crack between them. Grounding his teeth for wasting his time for their romance, he growled at the secretary, "Bring Your CEO quick. I don't have the whole day's time for him."

Secretary also knew as much as them. However, he responded and went out to dial Dax's number as he asked others if they saw Dax.

Meanwhile, inside the pantry, Tia was struggling to get free from Dax who was holding her in a firm grip and biting her neck. Even though he wasn't harsh enough to draw blood, it was painful and uncomfortable.

Her one hand was locked behind her while the other hand's strength wasn't enough to push the man away. She didn't want to hit him so she could only whimper trying to push him away.

She hated how he was using his physical strength against her. She wasn't an object, she had feelings too which three men in her life never seemed to consider.

She sincerely wanted to apologize to Dax and let him take whatever decision he wanted about their relationship, but his actions were humiliating her.

This Dax was unknown to her. She knew he ignores women but she never had thought he could hurt her physically.

Instead of feeling the pain in her neck, she felt a sharp jab at her chest, filling her eyes. If that's how Dax wanted to end the things between them, by not respecting her, hurting her dignity, She decided to endure it and settle the things on a bad note.

Her first brief relationship was becoming a lesson to her.