Chapter 125

Evelyn glanced up at Maxwell and instantly recognized him.

When Grandfather suddenly collapsed at Blackwood Manor last week, he had stayed to recuperate. During that time, this man and Yvette had been holed up in Dominic's study with him.

Given Evelyn's unfavorable impression of Yvette, she'd immediately pegged Maxwell as trouble too.

Just then, a pedestrian walked by. Evelyn ignored Maxwell and handed the flyer to the stranger instead. "Excuse me, if you have a moment, please take a look. Thank you."

Maxwell studied her intently.

Evelyn wore a simple cotton tee knotted at her slender waist, paired with mid-length denim shorts. The casual outfit made her look like a college student still finishing her degree.

"Shouldn't you be at work today?" Maxwell asked, forcibly dragging his gaze away from her tantalizing waistline.

Evelyn kept distributing flyers as she answered bluntly, "No."

The truth was she did have work - unfinished designs waiting at home. But since T Corporation didn't require clocking in today, she'd sneaked out for this side gig.

Flyer distribution paid little, but a few days' earnings would cover Grandfather's monthly heart medication. Her salary couldn't even begin to cover Father's lung cancer treatments.

She reserved nights for T Corporation's design work, leaving days free for part-time jobs like this.

Maxwell stood motionless yet commanding. "For a moment I thought you'd quit after breaking things off with Dominic."

Evelyn handed another leaflet to a passerby, unfazed. "He doesn't strike me as the vindictive ex type."

Maxwell's lips curved slightly.

She continued her work.

He left without another word.

Minutes later, the vanished Maxwell reappeared holding a water bottle.

Evelyn arched a brow at this uncharacteristic gesture from the usually aloof man.

"Your lips look parched. Drink." He offered it.

Evelyn shook her head politely. "Thank you, but I'm fine."

Stumped, Maxwell stood awkwardly holding the water, his handsome features unreadable.

"How does this pay? Hourly or per flyer distributed?" He eyed the thick stack in her hands curiously.

A middle-aged woman wearing a sandwich board nearby chimed in knowingly, "Per flyer. Payment comes after the whole stack's handed out."

Maxwell nodded at her.

The woman returned to her post.

Observing closely, Maxwell noticed Evelyn's fatal flaw - she handed each flyer with earnest sincerity. But on this crowded street saturated with promoters, most passersby rejected hers out of sheer annoyance.

At this rate, she'd be here until tomorrow.

"Let me help." Maxwell snatched over half her stack.

Evelyn blinked at the ten flyers remaining in her hand.

This man's audacity stunned her - appearing unannounced, asking odd questions, buying water, now hijacking her job? What was his game?

"Thanks, but I've got this." She reached for the flyers.

Maxwell's height advantage proved insurmountable. Even on tiptoes, Evelyn couldn't reach the stack he'd lifted tauntingly overhead.

"The faster these go, the sooner you eat. What's the problem?" His indulgent gaze swept over her.

Two passing girls whispered loudly, "Now that's a boyfriend! Would your trust fund baby ever help you like that?"

Evelyn heard every word.

Meanwhile, Maxwell had already advanced a dozen meters, distributing flyers with startling efficiency. Where Evelyn met rejection, girls actually approached him shyly for flyers.

Within minutes, his stack vanished.

Maxwell shrugged helplessly at Evelyn.

Her workday had abruptly ended. All that remained was collecting her meager pay from the supervisor - a stern fifty-something woman whose sole job seemed to be glaring at workers.

When handing over the day's wages, the woman scoffed, "With a rich boyfriend driving a Porsche, why steal jobs from the needy? Don't come back tomorrow!"

Evelyn opened her mouth to explain, but the woman had already turned away.

Just like that, she'd been fired.

Swallowing her anger, Evelyn crossed to a noodle shop. She hadn't drunk water all morning.

Hunger gnawed at her, yet the mere smell of food turned her stomach. After six hours under the scorching sun, weakness threatened to overwhelm her. She forced down some noodles - she'd need energy to stay angry.

Maxwell followed.

"Stop following me. I don't know you." Her thin face looked pinched with irritation.

"That changes if we share a meal. This place looks good. Can't we call a truce?" His attempt at charm rang hollow.

"You eat here. I'll go elsewhere." Not daring to provoke him further, she opted for retreat.

Evelyn turned to leave.

"Wait."

Maxwell caught her arm. "I just want to be friends, not devour you."

"Sorry, I'm not interested in friendship." Especially not with wealthy men connected to Dominic.

His grip didn't loosen.

She tried pulling free, but his hold was iron. The struggle proved too much - her vision blurred, the setting sun swimming before her eyes until darkness swallowed everything.

Maxwell's brow furrowed as he caught the collapsing Evelyn. Scooping her up, he carried her to his parked Porsche Cayenne.

His phone rang.

Irritated, he snapped, "Make it quick!"

"Uncle, Granduncle wants to know when you're returning?" Alexander's reluctant voice came through - clearly pressured into calling by the old man who despised speaking to his wayward son.

Glancing at the unconscious woman in his backseat, Maxwell studied her delicate features. "On my way. And I'm bringing you a new aunt."