Chapter 65

Cassandra noticed Victoria's indifferent reaction to the new hire and chimed in, "Perhaps Mr. Whitmore simply wants to celebrate our team's efforts. Come on, Ms. Sloan. We shouldn't keep everyone waiting."

As the car glided toward the luxury hotel, Evelyn pulled out her phone and typed a quick message to Alexander: [Did you book this dinner? The place is extravagant.]

The restaurant required a minimum spend in the high five figures, and Evelyn couldn't help but wince at the thought.

Alexander responded almost instantly: [Mrs. Whitmore, congratulations on joining Titan Capital Group’s executive office. Consider this my welcome gift. Enjoy yourself—you’ve earned it.]

Evelyn exhaled softly, setting her phone down.

To Alexander, the cost was negligible, but to her, the gesture carried weight. No one had ever gone to such lengths for her before. She understood his intention—to help her bond with her new colleagues, integrate smoothly, and thrive in her role.

The restaurant’s grand entrance glittered under crystal chandeliers. The group was escorted to a private dining room where champagne flutes already sparkled with chilled Dom Pérignon.

Victoria leaned toward Cassandra, murmuring, "I’ve never seen the company splurge like this for new hires."

Cassandra smirked. "Maybe Mr. Whitmore has special reasons."

Evelyn pretended not to hear, smoothing her dress as she took her seat.

Then, the door swung open.

A familiar figure strode in—tall, impeccably dressed, with a smile that once made her heart race.

Ethan Caldwell.

Her ex-fiancé.

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

His gaze locked onto hers, and his smirk deepened. "Well, this is a surprise."

The room fell silent.

Alexander’s gift had just taken an unexpected turn.

Evelyn Carter sat quietly in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on her phone. Beside her, Natalie Brooks—her colleague of the same age—studied her with open curiosity.

"You've been glued to that screen since we got in the car," Natalie remarked, tilting her head. "Evelyn, tell me—do you have a boyfriend?"

Before Evelyn could respond, Daniel Pierce cleared his throat pointedly.

Oh, she definitely had a boyfriend. Or rather, an ex-boyfriend—one who happened to be a high-profile figure in Cresthaven. And if rumors were true, their breakup hadn’t been peaceful.

Daniel had learned Evelyn’s true identity earlier that morning, but he kept it to himself. The President’s Office valued discretion, and so did he.

Still, he couldn’t help but marvel at the fact that someone from such a privileged background was now working under him. It only strengthened his resolve to mentor her properly.

"Natalie," Daniel cut in smoothly, "let’s not pry into personal matters."

The three of them made up Division Two at Titan Capital Group, and their dynamic was relaxed—almost familial.

Natalie blinked innocently, feigning ignorance. "What? I’m just making conversation!"

Evelyn finally looked up, her expression unreadable. A faint smile played on her lips, but her eyes held something darker—something that hinted at memories best left buried.

Daniel suppressed a sigh.

Some questions were better left unanswered.

Work had kept her busy all day, leaving no opportunity to properly welcome Evelyn to Titan Capital Group. Now, she scrambled for any topic to break the ice.

Realizing how abrupt her question sounded, Natalie felt a flush of embarrassment. She absently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, already planning to make it up to Evelyn with drinks later.

The moment they stepped out of the car, Evelyn’s phone buzzed.

With a quick gesture, she signaled for them to go ahead while she lingered at the hotel entrance to take the call.

It was Margaret. "Evelyn, you must attend the blind date tomorrow at 7 PM at Maple Leaf Café. I handpicked this man myself—handsome, kind, everything you need. And don’t fool yourself into thinking Ethan will suddenly care just because you joined Titan Capital. He’s moved on."

Meanwhile, at Cresthaven Hotel’s parking lot—

Vanessa and Ethan stepped out of the car.

Ethan had been distant the entire ride, lost in thought. Vanessa had no idea what occupied his mind.

According to Nathan, his mood had been foul all day. Several employees had already been on the receiving end of his temper, dismissed from his office with sharp words.

Vanessa had meant to ask why Ethan had gone out of his way to get Evelyn into Titan Capital. Did he still have feelings for her?

The question burned on her tongue, but one glance at his stormy expression kept it locked inside.

As they approached the entrance, Evelyn’s voice carried over from where she stood, phone pressed to her ear.

Ethan froze mid-step.

Vanessa followed his gaze—and there she was.

Evelyn Carter.

Her ex.

Her presence was like a spark to dry tinder.

Evelyn turned, her eyes widening when they landed on Ethan.

The air between them crackled with unspoken tension.

Vanessa’s nails dug into her palm.

This was not how tonight was supposed to go.

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the pavement as Vanessa hesitated, her fingers twitching at her sides. She wanted to ask Ethan what was bothering him, but the fear of his reaction held her back.

What if he snapped at her? What if he shut her out completely?

Swallowing her unease, she looped her arm through his and murmured, "Ethan, let's go inside."

Just as he took a step forward, his entire body tensed. His sharp gaze locked onto a figure standing near the entrance of Cresthaven Hotel.

Vanessa followed his line of sight—and froze.

Evelyn.

There she was, phone pressed to her ear, her expression unreadable from this distance.

Vanessa's grip tightened unconsciously, the fabric of Ethan's sleeve wrinkling under her fingers. He glanced down, a frown creasing his brow.

Realizing what she'd done, she immediately released him and forced a light laugh. "Looks like Evelyn still can't stay away from you, Ethan. Can't blame her—you are irresistible."

Her tone was teasing, but beneath the playful words lingered a sliver of possessiveness.

Ethan said nothing, but the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.

For the first time that day, the storm in his eyes quieted.

The crisp autumn air carried whispers of the past as Evelyn moved through the crowded café.

She didn’t expect to see him here.

Alexander had noticed her presence long before she realized he was watching.

He knew.

Evelyn still cared for him.

Why else would she keep appearing in places he frequented?

She was different now—subtler, more calculated.

No longer the desperate woman who had once clung to him.

This new approach was clever.

And it worked.

He noticed.

A prickle of awareness ran down Evelyn’s spine.

She turned.

Two familiar faces stared back at her.

Vanessa’s lips curled in displeasure.

"Evelyn," she said, voice sharp. "Are you following us?"

The accusation hung in the air, heavy with unspoken tension.

Evelyn’s fingers tightened around her coffee cup.

She hadn’t expected this.

Not today.

Not here.

But fate had a way of throwing them together.

Again.