Chapter 74

Ryan froze for a heartbeat before slamming his palm against the table, his eyes widening in alarm. "Good lord, you've completely lost your mind!"

He dragged a chair closer, sitting down beside Evelyn with exaggerated urgency.

"Are you serious right now? Or did that champagne go straight to your head? Alexander? That's my uncle! Do you have any idea what kind of man he is? In all my years, I've never seen him with a woman! And you want him to play your pretend boyfriend?"

Ryan gave her an incredulous look before breaking into a grin. "But hey, if you actually pull this off, I'll eat my hat. No—I'll walk barefoot across hot coals."

Evelyn merely smirked, saying nothing.

She had a feeling Ryan would regret that promise.

The wine had been deceptively smooth, but the buzz hit her hard. Leaning back against the couch, she closed her eyes to steady herself while Ryan went to check the door.

The visitors had already left by the time he returned.

"Seriously, reconsider my offer. I’m not exactly lacking in admirers. Being my fake girlfriend wouldn’t be the worst deal for you."

Alexander glanced up, realizing Evelyn had her eyes closed and wasn't responding. He studied her for a long moment.

Her cheeks were flushed pink, her body limp against the armrest of the sofa. Clearly, she had indulged too much.

Stray strands of hair fell across her forehead, one curling against her long lashes.

A soft breeze drifted through the open door. She swiped at the strands clumsily, missing entirely. Frustrated, she propped herself up on one elbow.

Just as Alexander wondered what she was doing, Evelyn cupped her face in both hands and shook her head vigorously.

She didn’t stop until the stubborn strand finally slipped free.

Alexander blinked, stunned.

He had never seen this side of Evelyn before.

Before he could speak, she flopped back down with a sigh.

A chuckle escaped him.

She was definitely drunk.

Yet even like this, he found her infinitely more endearing than Vanessa.

How could Ryan Fletcher be so blind?

A subtle warmth had begun to settle in Alexander's chest without him realizing it.

His arms were loosely folded, the posture deceptively casual, yet carrying an air of effortless indifference.

"Where do you live? Should I escort you home?"

Evelyn remained silent on the couch, her breathing slow and uneven—clearly far too intoxicated to respond.

Alexander glanced down at his hands—hands that had signed deals worth hundreds of millions.

Just as he reached to help her up, a sharply dressed man stepped into the room, positioning himself firmly between them.

Alexander stilled, caught off guard.

His brows lifted in surprise as he recognized the newcomer. "Nathan? What are you doing here?"

Nathan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he bent down, sliding one arm beneath Evelyn’s knees and the other around her back, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.

He looked travel-worn, as if he’d come straight from the airport without stopping.

Nathan’s gaze lingered briefly on Evelyn’s flushed cheeks before flicking up to meet Alexander’s eyes—a silent challenge in that brief glance.

"Collecting my employee," he said coolly.

Alexander's eyes widened in shock, his brows knitting together in confusion. "Your woman? Alex, you... You two..."

He wondered if Alexander had lost his mind too, seeing things that weren't there.

What am I witnessing?

Alexander is actually carrying Evelyn?

And he's calling her his employee—or worse, his woman?

Ryan was utterly baffled. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, his expression still stunned. "Are you two... together?"

Alexander nearly said yes.

But the word caught in his throat as he realized—if their relationship became public, it could destroy Evelyn's career.

So instead, he answered coolly, "She works in my executive office. If she's not my employee, then what is she?"

Hearing that, Ryan exhaled in relief.

That had nearly given him a heart attack.

Thank God I didn't make a move on her.

Alexander's voice was laced with icy detachment. "I heard you two were here for a matchmaking session tonight?"