Evelyn's voice was sharp and clear, leaving no room for doubt. "Theodore, let's not pretend there was ever anything between us. There wasn't. I'd prefer it if you stopped bothering me entirely."

Her words struck Theodore with the force of a physical blow.

He remembered the quiet fishing village abroad. She hadn't been this cold to him then.

It hadn't been that long, yet now she looked at him as if he were a complete stranger. Or worse, an adversary. Did she have any idea what he had gone through to find her? The years of struggle, the countless barriers he had overcome just to be standing here before her now?

Theodore's lips curved into a slow, humorless smile, though his eyes remained dark and impenetrable. "No relationship?" he repeated, the words tasting like ash.

He let the cold finality of her statement hang in the air between them.

"How can you claim there's no relationship?" His gaze pinned her, intense and unyielding. "Whether you like it or not, I am your client now. Before I even walked into this office, I signed a contract with Aethelgard Industries. A contract that guarantees me a designer I am completely satisfied with."

His eyes never wavered from her face. "And the only designer who meets my standards... is you, Evelyn. Are you really going to renege on your company's agreement?"

A knot tightened in Evelyn's stomach. Aethelgard Industries had strict policies regarding client assignments. Refusing a client was not an option.

And Theodore Vance was not a man she could simply palm off onto a colleague.

"Fine." Her jaw clenched. "What do you want?"

Whatever Theodore wanted, Evelyn was determined not to show him a shred of weakness or kindness.

Suddenly, he pushed himself up from the chair. In two long strides, he closed the distance between them.

"What do I want?" His laugh was low, almost a whisper. "What could I possibly want? Naturally, there are matters we need to discuss."

Evelyn's entire body went rigid. Instinctively, she took a step back, her expression turning wary. "If it's about the design project, I'll listen. But if it's anything else, save your breath."

As she moved, her hand slipped discreetly into her handbag, ready to defend herself if the situation demanded it.

Theodore's eyes narrowed slightly, catching the subtle movement.

If he wanted to, overpowering her would be a simple matter.

But forcing Evelyn was not his intention.

He desired her willing surrender.

Force was never his preferred method.

So he halted. His voice softened. "Evelyn. I'm only here to discuss the design."

His eyes scanned the office briefly. "But this isn't the best place for a discussion. Let's go somewhere else."

Evelyn wavered. She disliked the idea. Yet, getting him away from her office was the priority. "Alright. But I choose the location."

Theodore agreed instantly. "Of course."

He considered this their first proper date. Letting her take charge pleased him.

A temporary ceasefire was in effect.

Evelyn swiftly booked a table at a nearby café on her phone. She motioned for Theodore to follow. They exited her office. The workspace hummed with colleagues focused on their tasks.

Maintaining a low profile, she led him down a quieter hall. She stayed close to the wall, avoiding familiar faces.

Her extreme caution made Theodore smirk.

Was he really such a liability?

Still, watching her like this was strangely entertaining. So careful. So intent on staying unnoticed.

His cooperation surprised her. No teasing remarks. No unnecessary comments. Just silent compliance.

She finally stopped at an infrequently used elevator.

This route led directly to the underground parking garage. A clean escape.

The elevator doors slid open. Her plan vanished. Sebastian Hayes stepped out.