A spark of shock ignited in Theodore's eyes.

The instant Evelyn's palm pressed against his lips, a hauntingly familiar aroma enveloped him. It was faint, but he recognized it immediately.

That scent, lost to time, yanked him back to the quiet days in the small fishing village where Evelyn had nursed him back to health.

He froze completely, not uttering a single sound.

But beneath that placid surface, a storm of anticipation brewed.

If Sebastian saw them like this, perhaps Evelyn wouldn't need to remain tethered to Aethelgard Industries.

What was so great about that company anyway? He was determined to dismantle Aethelgard Industries, sooner or later.

Just as Sebastian took a step forward, a voice called out from behind him.

"Sebastian? I thought you had urgent matters to discuss. What's caught your eye?"

Sebastian turned to find Alexander Blackwood standing at the far end of the elevator lobby.

He wasn't in his wheelchair today. Dressed impeccably, he stood with an imposing authority that was entirely new.

To a stranger, he wouldn't appear to be the man usually confined to a wheelchair.

The sight of Alexander snapped Sebastian back to the present, reminding him sharply of his purpose for being here.

Sebastian quickly brushed off the faint sound he thought he'd heard and strode toward Alexander. "You're prompt. Let's proceed to the conference room upstairs," Sebastian said curtly.

Without another word, the two men walked away together.

The moment their footsteps receded, the tension drained from Evelyn's body. She let out a slow, shaky breath, her shoulders finally slumping with relief.

But as her panic subsided, a nagging doubt crept in.

Something wasn't right. That voice—it was definitely Alexander's.

Yet, she hadn't heard the distinctive sound of his wheelchair.

After all the time she'd spent with him, Evelyn knew the unique creak and roll of that chair.

If it was truly him, he wouldn't have left without it. Frowning, she hesitated, then cautiously leaned forward to peer down the corridor.

The sudden, sharp sound of a catering cart nearby shattered her concentration.

Theodore seized the moment. He grabbed her wrist, his grip firm, shocking her. A lazy, infuriating smirk played on his lips. "Evelyn, let's not distort the truth. You were the one who reached for me. Are you really going to deny it now?"

Heat flooded her cheeks as the memory of her bumping into him replayed in her mind. She couldn't argue the fact, but the sheer arrogance in his tone made her blood boil.

If Theodore hadn't shown up at her office unannounced, she never would have been in this frantic state to begin with.

But arguing with him was futile. He derived too much pleasure from riling her up. Exhaling sharply, Evelyn made a decision. She needed to get this walking catastrophe out of the building before he caused an even bigger scene.

She had narrowly avoided Sebastian earlier. Lingering here any longer increased the risk of running into someone else. Explaining this situation would be impossible.

With that thought, Evelyn cautiously peeked around the corner again, scanning the area thoroughly. By the time she looked, Sebastian was already gone.

She completely missed the brief moment when Alexander Blackwood had been walking, unaided by his wheelchair.