Chapter 72

Nathan let out a derisive snort. "Consider that a threat if you must. Do you honestly believe you can slip away from me right under my nose?"

Evelyn found herself at a loss for words.

The following morning...

Evelyn entered the company building at her usual punctual hour when she spotted Nathan and Oliver rounding the corner toward her.

The faint bite marks on Nathan's lips still showed traces of yesterday's encounter, with a small scab forming where she'd reacted most fiercely.

She considered turning away, but it was too late.

Avoiding eye contact, Evelyn forced an indifferent smile. "Good morning, Mr. Goldmann."

Nathan studied her for a prolonged moment before speaking through perfect teeth. "I expected you'd try to avoid me."

"We work in the same building. Occasional encounters are inevitable." Evelyn maintained her practiced smile. "Besides, I've done nothing shameful that would warrant avoidance."

Nathan's brow furrowed slightly. 'That smile is completely fake. She's always wearing masks around me. I've seen her genuine smiles before - just never directed at me.'

His mind flashed to the mysterious "man" she'd been speaking with during those phone calls.

"I have work to attend to. Excuse me." Evelyn turned abruptly, entering the elevator before he could respond.

To her astonishment, Nathan followed her inside. Even Oliver stood dumbfounded as his boss abandoned his private elevator to squeeze into the crowded staff lift.

Evelyn shot him a questioning look. "Mr. Goldmann, isn't this elevator beneath your usual standards?"

"I enjoy experiencing different perspectives occasionally," Nathan replied casually, pressing the door close button before Oliver could join them.

Evelyn remained silent, subtly shifting away from him.

Noticing her movement, Nathan's expression darkened. "Do you find my proximity so distasteful?"

"You misunderstand, Mr. Goldmann." Evelyn kept her tone light. "I simply wish to avoid office gossip. As an engaged man, you should be equally mindful of appearances."

Nathan's jaw tightened. 'Is she mocking my arrangement with Vivian?'

Yet her apparent concern about Vivian pleased him, and his lips curved slightly. "I've never publicly acknowledged Vivian as my fiancée. If it troubles you, I could easily announce that you—"

The elevator doors slid open, revealing several shocked employees who froze at the sight of their CEO.

Nathan's expression immediately darkened. "Are you boarding or not?"

The employees scrambled inside nervously.

'Dear God, why is Mr. Goldmann riding the staff elevator?!' The atmosphere grew suffocatingly tense.

No one dared speak or even breathe too loudly. Being trapped in an elevator with their intimidating CEO was everyone's worst nightmare - they collectively willed the elevator to move faster.

Evelyn found herself pressed against the wall as everyone instinctively crowded away from Nathan's side.

'Damn it! Why is everyone crushing toward me?!'

Without warning, Nathan reached out and pulled Evelyn to his side. When she tried to pull away, his grip tightened.

Since no one dared look directly at their CEO, the interaction went unnoticed.

Evelyn's arm stiffened in his grasp. Under different circumstances, she would have slapped him.

'First the office yesterday, now this? He's becoming completely shameless!'

Her pulse suddenly quickened as Nathan loosened his grip slightly, only to slide his hand down and interlace their fingers. Evelyn turned sharply to glare at him, but Nathan kept his gaze forward, though she caught the faintest smirk playing at his lips.