Chapter 3

“Blake!” A woman’s thrilled voice cut through Evelyn’s thoughts. The woman ran past her and leaped into Blake’s arms. He instinctively embraced her.

Jessica Clark exclaimed, “Do you know how long I’ve waited for your release? If you hadn’t come out sooner, my father would have forced me to marry someone else!”

Blake gazed down at her before kissing her passionately. He smirked. “Is he in such a hurry? Tell your driver to wait. I’ll give your father a… substantial gift.”

Jessica playfully pouted, clinging to him. “You’re so bad! My father wants to meet you and has asked me to bring you home. He’s even planned a party to welcome you back.”

Frozen, Evelyn watched, utterly bewildered and awkward. Blake, the man who had always treated her with gentleness and care, seemed impossibly distant, a faint memory from ten years past.

A dull ache spread through her stomach, like knives piercing her. Distantly, she recalled his words: “Evie, I don’t want to be part of the Harrisons. I don’t want to be your brother. Marry me when you grow up, okay?”

His gentle voice echoed in her mind, leaving her momentarily dazed.

“Watch out!” A nervous shout pierced the air. Evelyn saw a motorcycle heading toward Blake and Jessica. Without hesitation, he pulled Jessica back, shielding her in his arms.

Evelyn stumbled aside, covering her face and twisting her ankle.

Blake looked at her, his gaze filled with scrutiny and apprehension. “I’m fine…” Evelyn mumbled, turning and fleeing before her tears could fall.

Jessica asked curiously, “Who was that?”

Blake pinched Jessica’s chin and kissed her. “She just looks like someone I know.”

Someone he knew…

How could someone he’d spent over ten years with, someone he’d once vowed to marry, simply be “someone he knew”?

Evelyn returned to her car, clutching her aching stomach and heaving over the steering wheel. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. She didn’t know what hurt more, the pain in her stomach or the ache in her heart.

The sudden ring of her phone jolted her back to reality. It was Michael.

Back in Bluezen, Michael frowned at the document Evelyn had sent. They worked at the same company; what was she trying to accomplish? Was she attempting to attract Lucas’s attention, since she was barred from his office? It was immature.

Displeased, Michael went to the PR department, only to learn Evelyn had taken the day off. His frown deepened with the day’s pressing demands as he called Evelyn. “Ms. Reed, I don’t care what you’re trying to do, but you need to return to the company immediately.”

Evelyn lowered her gaze. He must be calling because of Lucas. Had he seen the divorce agreement and wanted to discuss it? That seemed the only explanation.

Without hesitation, she drove to Bluezen.

Seeing Evelyn’s hurried arrival, Michael immediately concluded she was still trying to gain Lucas’s attention. The mockery in his eyes was unmistakable.

Evelyn, looking haggard, asked, “Where is he?” She still needed to go to the hospital for medication and was considering conservative treatment. Starting treatment would make it difficult to keep her illness a secret from her uncle and grandmother.

“He’s in the company. Do you really think Mr. Grant would come down to meet you, Ms. Reed?” Michael asked formally. “He has a task for you.”

“Is it about the div—”

“Negative rumors are circulating after Mr. Grant’s celebration of Ms. Moore’s birthday last night. Netizens believe Ms. Moore stole someone’s man to advance her career.

“Ms. Moore is not ordinary; she’s to become the ambassador for one of Bluezen’s most important upcoming projects. The project cannot be embroiled in controversy; Ms. Moore’s reputation must remain untarnished.

“Mr. Grant assigned this task to you. He wants you to clear Ms. Moore’s name and quell the rumors.”