Chapter 87

Evelyn lifted her gaze slowly, confusion clouding her features.

Ethan reclined in his leather chair, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Don't be ridiculous. I know you joined Titan Capital Group because of me. The President’s Office is my uncle’s domain. I won’t have you stirring up trouble there. Transfer to the Marketing Department—you’ll be my personal assistant."

Evelyn arched a brow. "And why would I give up my position in the President’s Office to work under you?"

His expression darkened. "At least this way, you’ll see me every day. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?"

A dry laugh escaped her.

Had Ethan always been this delusional?

"I know you’re upset about my engagement to Vanessa," he continued, waving a hand dismissively. "But the wedding is happening. The invitations are already sent. There’s no changing that. If you become my assistant, at least you’ll still have me during office hours."

Evelyn crossed her arms. "How thoughtful. Does Vanessa know you’re offering me this generous arrangement? Or will she throw another tantrum when she finds out?"

Ethan scoffed. "Vanessa isn’t like you. She’s gentle, understanding—she wouldn’t get jealous over something so trivial."

Evelyn’s lips curled into a cold smile.

Of course.

Vanessa, the perfect, docile fiancée.

And here she was, the inconvenient ex who just wouldn’t disappear.

Ethan leaned forward, his voice dropping. "Be reasonable, Evelyn. This is the best I can offer you."

She met his gaze evenly.

"Funny. I don’t recall asking for anything from you."

His jaw tightened.

Before he could respond, the office door swung open—and in walked Alexander Whitmore, his presence instantly shifting the air in the room.

Ethan stiffened.

Alexander’s sharp eyes flicked between them.

"Am I interrupting?"

Evelyn exhaled slowly.

Perfect timing.

Because this conversation was over.

"You're my assistant, and our interactions should remain strictly professional," Alexander stated firmly, his piercing gaze locked onto Evelyn.

Vanessa let out a soft, knowing laugh. "I joined Titan Capital Group for my career, nothing more."

"Then explain the blind date with Ryan," Alexander countered, his voice edged with irritation. "Was that just a coincidence, or were you trying to get under my skin?"

Evelyn stiffened. "Am I not allowed to move on after our breakup?"

"Of course you can," he snapped. "But Ryan is my cousin. You couldn’t have picked anyone else? Or is there something going on between you two?"

Before Evelyn could respond, Ryan appeared, his presence calm but deliberate. He stepped closer, subtly guiding Evelyn to stand beside him.

Alexander’s jaw tightened as he watched them, an unfamiliar heat flaring in his chest.

Ryan met his gaze evenly. "Alexander, Evelyn and I went on that date because I pursued her. Surely you understand what that means."

Alexander’s expression darkened. "Explain."

A faint smile touched Ryan’s lips. "I intend to be Evelyn’s boyfriend."

The words barely registered before Alexander’s fist shot out, striking Ryan square across the face.

The punch came out of nowhere, sending Alexander reeling backward from the unexpected blow.

Ryan didn't hesitate—he swung back immediately, fists flying.

Evelyn stood frozen, her mind struggling to process the sudden violence unfolding before her.

By the time she snapped out of her shock, Alexander and Ryan were already locked in a brutal brawl.

Their knuckles connected with sickening thuds, leaving angry red marks and swelling on both their faces.

The hotel manager rushed forward, shouting for security to intervene, but neither man backed down.

One of Ryan's expensive loafers went flying, and Alexander retaliated by yanking his tie loose, nearly choking him.

"What the hell did you just say? Say it again!" Alexander snarled.

"I said I want Evelyn. If that pisses you off, then hit me! Come on, you coward!"

Ryan's smirk was pure provocation, his words deliberately calculated to enrage Alexander further.

Evelyn finally understood—Ryan had been right all along. These two men were never going to coexist peacefully.

The whispers and sideways glances from the growing crowd burned against her skin.

The tension between the two men was palpable, their fists clenched as they circled each other.

"Is this about a woman?" someone in the crowd whispered.

"Definitely. He wants her, but she's clearly into someone else. That's why they're at each other's throats."

"Trouble follows beauty, doesn't it?"

The hotel manager, flustered, reached for his phone to call security.

Evelyn snatched a plate from the table and smashed it onto the marble floor with a sharp crack. "Enough! Have you both lost your minds?"

She had simply come here for dinner—not to be dragged into some ridiculous spectacle.

How dare they use her as the reason for their brawl?

Her gaze swept over the murmuring onlookers. "This isn't some petty love triangle! They're the ones in a relationship—and they're ending it!"

The air thickened with tension as Alexander and Ethan glared at each other, neither willing to back down.

Evelyn exhaled sharply, her patience wearing thin. "If you two want to destroy each other, do it somewhere else."

The crowd erupted into hushed whispers.

A server nervously inched forward to clean up the shattered porcelain.

Evelyn turned on her heel, ready to leave the chaos behind.

But then—

A hand caught her wrist.

Alexander's voice was low, rough with emotion. "You don't get to walk away from this."

Her pulse spiked.

Ethan scoffed. "She doesn’t owe you anything."

The standoff reignited, fiercer than before.

Evelyn yanked her arm free. "I’m not your prize to fight over."

The words hung in the air, sharp and final.

Then—

A glass shattered somewhere in the distance.

The manager finally arrived with security.

"Gentlemen," he said firmly, "take this outside, or I’ll have you removed."

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Then Alexander stepped back, jaw tight.

Ethan smirked, victorious.

Evelyn didn’t wait to see what happened next.

She walked out, the weight of their stares burning into her back.

But one thought echoed in her mind—

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.