Cassandra smirked.

No matter how hard Evelyn tried to win Alexander over, it was pointless.

He felt nothing for her.

The fact that she was his wife, yet completely ignorant of his true identity, was almost laughable.

Cassandra felt a flicker of pity for the woman.

Alexander had concealed everything from Evelyn. He never told her he was the founder of Aethelgard Industries.

But Cassandra knew.

She knew it all.

That distinction alone proved her importance to him, a status Evelyn could never achieve.

His current interest in Evelyn? Merely a fleeting distraction. Cassandra was certain his fascination would fade soon enough.

Evelyn, meanwhile, concentrated on her cooking. After an hour of dedicated work, the meal was finally ready.

Cassandra had claimed she would cook for Alexander, but in reality, she had only lazily chopped a few vegetables while Evelyn did the bulk of the work.

Evelyn didn't mind. She looked at the array of dishes she had prepared, a quiet pride warming her. She eagerly anticipated Alexander's reaction when he tasted her food.

The thought made her smile.

She carefully picked up a steaming bowl of soup, intending to carry it to the dining room.

As she turned, Cassandra suddenly pivoted, bumping hard into her arm.

Evelyn lost her balance. The bowl slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor.

Scalding hot soup splashed onto the back of her hand.

She cried out, jerking her hand back from the pain.

Looking down at the broken porcelain and the spilled soup, a sharp wave of disappointment washed over her.

That soup had been simmering for more than thirty minutes.

Cassandra feigned alarm, her voice dripping with exaggerated concern. "Oh, Evelyn! I'm so sorry! Are you hurt? I didn't see you there!"

Evelyn, her hand trembling from the burn, rushed to the sink and ran cold water over it. "It's fine."

A smug smile touched Cassandra's lips as she glanced at Evelyn's reddened skin, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

Cassandra turned her attention to the other dishes. "Let me take these out. Alexander must be hungry. We shouldn't keep him waiting."

"Alright," Evelyn replied through gritted teeth, focusing on cooling the burn under the running water. She would need to find some ointment later.

Soon, Cassandra and several servants carried the remaining dishes to the dining table.

Approaching Alexander, Cassandra offered him a brilliant, practiced smile. "Alexander, dinner is served. I hope it meets your expectations."

Alexander set aside his financial magazine and looked up. His gaze drifted past her toward the kitchen. "Where is Evelyn?"

Cassandra answered smoothly, "Evelyn said I did most of the work and she was just assisting. She's still tidying up. She insisted we start without her."

She quickly changed the subject. "Alexander, please try this dish. I put my heart into it. I'd be crushed if you didn't like it."

Alexander's eyes lingered on the kitchen doorway for a moment longer before he picked up his fork. He took a small bite. "Adequate," he commented, his tone detached.

Cassandra let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you think so."

She sat down beside him. After a brief silence, she ventured, "Alexander, my return wasn't solely about the film project. The truth is, I've managed to offend someone quite powerful. Several of my international contracts and collaborations have been canceled as a result. If this isn't resolved quickly, it could severely damage my career."

Alexander set his fork down, his expression turning inquisitive. "Who did you offend?"

Cassandra sighed softly, her voice laced with feigned frustration. "Theodore Vance."