Chapter 73

Just as Evelyn thought she couldn't avoid the attack, a tall silhouette materialized before her.

The scalding coffee splashed across the man's immaculately tailored suit and crisp white shirt.

The incident happened with such startling speed that both Evelyn and Victoria stood frozen.

"Miss, your reckless action constitutes assault," the man stated, his voice rich and velvety like aged whiskey. His commanding presence set him apart from ordinary men.

Victoria recovered first, sneering as she recognized his face. "Trying to intimidate me? So what if I attacked this slut? Who asked you to interfere?"

"Miss Sinclair is now my employee. As her superior, her safety falls under my protection."

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat.

When she tried to speak, her gaze locked with his fathomless dark eyes. A strange sense of recognition washed over her.

Victoria's mocking laughter cut through the air. "You actually hired this fraud? Don't you know she's the notorious plagiarist all of Willowbrook is hunting? No respectable jewelry house would touch her without facing the wrath of the Blackwoods and Montgomerys!"

The man remained unfazed. "The Blackwoods? The Montgomerys? Expect legal papers soon. We'll settle this assault case properly."

With calm finality, he turned to Evelyn. "Come with me."

Evelyn glanced at Victoria's stunned expression before following him.

Victoria hurled her coffee cup to the ground in frustration and stormed off to find Alexander.

In the elevator, Evelyn studied her rescuer's profile.

His aristocratic features and commanding presence radiated both power and approachability.

After a moment's hesitation, Evelyn spoke. "Thank you... again." She recognized him now - the same man who'd taken her to the hospital that fateful day.

He glanced down, lips quirking. "I thought you wouldn't remember after losing consciousness. Seems I made quite an impression."

His playful tone eased her tension.

Evelyn's despair transformed into cautious hope. Not only had this stranger saved her twice, he was also the CEO of the company where she'd interviewed.

He'd hired her immediately, expressing complete confidence in her abilities.

As she left his office, Evelyn insisted on taking his coffee-stained garments to clean them properly.

To her surprise, he acquiesced without argument.

For the first time in months, Evelyn had stable employment with kind colleagues. She immediately called Olivia to celebrate over dinner.

So engrossed was she in her new work that Evelyn nearly missed her departure time. The job provided a welcome distraction from her painful past.

At the building's entrance, a silver luxury car pulled up beside her. The window lowered to reveal that same striking face.

"Get in. We need to talk."

Evelyn hesitated, but remembering his kindness, she nodded.

Just as she reached for the door handle, a familiar black sedan screeched to a halt inches from her. The near collision left her trembling.

Alexander emerged, his expression icy as he addressed the man in the other car with false pleasantry.

"No need for such courtesy, Uncle. I'll collect my own wife. Save your chivalry for someone else."