Alexander Blackwood’s expression was icy, a mask of detachment.

He noted the flicker of shock in his subordinates’ eyes on the screen.

For years, Alexander had cultivated an aura of invincibility. He never failed.

Evelyn was his singular, unexpected failure.

He had lost a billion-dollar land tract because of her.

Even the slightest interaction with her threatened the rigid self-control he prized.

Perhaps staying away from Evelyn was the only logical path.

He was deep in thought, his face unreadable.

A sharp knock shattered the silence of his study.

Annoyance tightened his features. His brows drew together. "Who is it?" he demanded, his voice cold.

Any interruption during his work hours was unacceptable.

A tense pause followed.

Then, Evelyn’s soft voice filtered through the door. "It's me. I heard you haven't eaten since last night. I brought you something. May I come in?"

Why was she here?

Alexander’s dark eyes narrowed with suspicion. A mocking smirk touched his lips.

What was her game now?

A low, derisive sound escaped him. He turned back to the monitor. "Let's pause the meeting," he instructed his team.

His subordinates, having just heard Evelyn, were stunned into silence.

Their boss despised disruptions. Yet today, he was breaking his own rule. For the wife he’d married under such peculiar circumstances.

Their curiosity was intensely piqued.

But they knew Alexander would not tolerate an audience. Pausing the meeting was his way of ensuring privacy.

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood," they replied in unison, their tones formal.

With deliberate calm, Alexander closed his laptop. The soft click echoed in the quiet room. He allowed a moment to pass. His expression remained guarded. "Enter."

The door opened slowly.

Evelyn stepped inside, carefully balancing a small tray. Her gaze immediately fell on the chaotic sprawl of documents covering his desk.

She knew he had been working relentlessly. But seeing the sheer volume of work firsthand made her pause. A frown of concern creased her brow.

"You're truly buried in all this?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief and worry.

Alexander leaned back in his chair, his hands resting on the armrests. A glint of challenge sparked in his eyes. "What did you imagine, Evelyn? That I've been idle?" he teased, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"No, not at all," Evelyn responded quickly, a flush rising to her cheeks. She hurried to clarify, "I just didn't realize the scale of it. That's all." She was acutely aware of his history. Probing too deeply into his capabilities could be a sensitive subject. She decided to change course, avoiding potential discomfort.

She offered him a gentle, reassuring smile. She moved to his desk and found a clear spot to set the tray down. It held a plate of warm, freshly baked cookies and a glass of steaming milk.

"I made these for you. Please, try one," she offered, her tone soft and hopeful. "I wasn't sure what you liked, so I chose a mild, classic flavor. If it's not to your taste, I can adjust the recipe."

Alexander looked up. His eyebrow arched slightly, acknowledging the effort of baking from scratch. He reached out and selected a cookie. He took a small, deliberate bite.

Instantly, the rich aroma of butter and vanilla filled his senses. The cookie was perfectly crisp on the outside, yet soft and melting within.

Evelyn watched him intently, her expression full of hopeful anticipation. She leaned forward slightly. "Well? What do you think? How does it taste?"