Chapter 91

Dawn barely touched the horizon when Evelyn Carter jolted awake, her body aching from last night's passion.

The digital clock mocked her—only three hours of restless sleep.

The other side of the bed was cold. Alexander had slipped out unnoticed, leaving nothing but the memory of his touch.

Rain had painted the city all night, and now the crisp scent of petrichor drifted through the half-open window.

Her gaze dropped to the floor.

Shredded fabric—his shirt, her dress—lay in tangled heaps, silent witnesses to their reckless abandon.

Heat flooded her cheeks as flashes of skin, whispered promises, and desperate kisses replayed in her mind.

God, Alexander...

She scrambled for her phone.

9:47 AM.

Her stomach dropped.

"Are you kidding me?" she hissed, snatching her scattered clothes.

He couldn’t have shaken her awake before leaving? Two hours late. The entire morning—gone.

She bolted out the door, her heels clicking furiously against marble.

By the time she slid into her office chair, her pulse still hadn’t steadied.

Natalie Brooks leaned in, eyes gleaming with mischief. "So. You know Simon Graves?"

Evelyn froze.

Oh no.

“Hmm?” Evelyn blinked in confusion.

Natalie leaned closer, lowering her voice. “The moment I arrived this morning, Simon mentioned you weren’t feeling well and had requested leave through him. Do you two… talk outside of work?”

Evelyn’s cheeks warmed. She knew Alexander was behind this but only offered a vague nod.

Natalie arched a brow but didn’t press further, leaving Evelyn to focus on her work.

By lunchtime, the office had emptied as colleagues headed to the cafeteria. Evelyn, having arrived late, was still wrapping up her tasks.

The moment she finished, she looked up to find Simon standing at her desk, his expression unreadable. “Mr. Whitmore would like to see you, Mrs. Whitmore.”

Alexander’s office was as expansive as ever, but the rich aroma of food immediately enveloped her the second she stepped inside.

Their eyes met, and Evelyn’s pulse fluttered.

Alexander, however, was the picture of calm. He ladled steaming soup into her bowl, his voice smooth. “Eat. You’ve lost weight.”

He motioned for her to sit, effortlessly rearranging the dishes so the most nutritious ones were within her reach.

Evelyn’s gaze swept over the table, and her breath caught. Every single dish—every flavor—was something she adored.

Her heart swelled.

The sun streamed through the windows of Titan Capital Group’s office, casting a warm glow over the stacks of documents spread across Evelyn Carter’s desk.

She couldn’t shake the thought—was Alexander Whitmore’s taste really this aligned with hers?

“Did you review the files I sent you yesterday?” His deep voice cut through her musings.

Evelyn nodded, flipping open the folder. “Horizon Enterprises wants this acquisition because of one particular game in their portfolio. The potential is undeniable.”

Alexander leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze fixed on her. “And your take?”

She exhaled. “We shouldn’t move too fast. Their financials are a mess—three straight years of losses. If Titan Capital dives in without caution, we’ll be the ones left cleaning up the wreckage.”

A slow smirk curved his lips. “So, what’s your next step?”

“First, we analyze the game’s projected revenue. If the numbers justify it, we proceed. If not…” She trailed off, tapping her pen against the desk.

Alexander cut in smoothly. “Their losses stem from legal payouts, not the game itself. Strip that away, and it’s profitable. Not to mention, three other firms are already circling.”

Evelyn’s breath hitched. She’d missed that detail entirely.

And there he was, handing her the missing piece—without a single I told you so.

Her fingers tightened around the pen.

Damn him.

Evelyn set her fork down, already reaching for the documents. "Since Titan Capital Group has competitors, we should move fast before another company snatches the opportunity."

Alexander caught her wrist, his grip firm but gentle. "Slow down. Finish your meal first."

"But—" She hesitated, meeting his piercing gaze.

His dark eyes trailed over her before he remarked, "Look at you, practically disappearing. Weren't you the one insisting on clinging to me?"

A smirk played on his lips. "I prefer a woman with curves, Mrs. Whitmore."

Heat flooded Evelyn's cheeks, but determination flared in her chest. She picked up her fork again and polished off two full plates this time.

As she ate, her thoughts raced. I’m not letting anyone else get close to Alexander.

Absolutely not!