Chapter 557

Evelyn smiled and smoothly changed the subject.

"Lucas, aren't you supposed to be filming a movie soon? Are you leaving today?"

Lucas nodded. "Mhmm. Mostly just to hype up the newbies. This batch of rookies isn’t exactly impressive."

Evelyn raised a brow. "I heard your latest girlfriend is one of them?"

The paparazzi had snapped photos of him with a fresh-faced actress, sparking rumors.

Lucas hesitated. His gaze flicked toward William, who stood nearby. He cleared his throat.

"We broke up."

Most of his so-called "girlfriends" were just publicity stunts—nothing real.

Evelyn gave an awkward smile. "That’s... good?"

William slammed his hand on the table. "What kind of man are you? Changing girlfriends like they’re disposable? You think that makes you respectable?"

Lucas nearly choked on his soup. Respectable? Since when was he not?!

"Dad, didn’t you always tell Lil E not to settle for one fish when there’s an entire ocean?"

William looked ready to strangle him. "Don’t compare yourself to your sister! You should be grateful if anyone even looks your way. What ocean? You’re barely a puddle!"

Leo, sensing the tension, flicked his tail and jumped from Lucas’s lap to Evelyn’s, wisely avoiding the drama.

Lucas clutched his chest dramatically. "That hurt."

After William’s scolding, Lucas slunk out of the house, head low.

Evelyn waited for him in the car. "I’ll drop you off at the office."

Lucas frowned. "Don’t you have work?"

"Alexander gave me the day off."

The moment Lucas stepped outside, his superstar persona snapped back into place.

At the office entrance, a slender, doe-eyed actress waved eagerly at him.

Lucas flashed his signature grin and waved back.

Evelyn blinked. "Who’s that?"

Lucas smirked. "My new girlfriend."

Evelyn sighed. Does this man ever take a break?

Dominic Kingsley hadn’t expected the Sterling siblings to show up together.

Lucas lounged on the sofa, lazily flipping through a script. He only did one film a year—just enough to stay relevant without overexposing himself.

Evelyn had only tagged along for fun, but trouble found her the second she arrived.

Dominic’s assistant knocked. "Mr. Kingsley, Xavier Delmont says he needs to speak with you urgently."

Evelyn froze.

She’d been so busy lately, she’d nearly forgotten about him.

Xavier had messaged her, but she never replied. Eventually, the texts stopped.

Just seeing his face—so similar to Nathan’s but with that infuriatingly delicate demeanor—irritated her.

She wanted to bolt, but Dominic had already nodded, allowing Xavier inside.

Too late to escape now.

Evelyn shot Dominic a glare. He looked baffled. Isn’t Evelyn his sugar mommy?

Lucas, ever the spectator, stayed silent, enjoying the show.

"Mr. Kingsley! Ms. Sterling, you’re here too?" Xavier feigned surprise.

Evelyn was almost impressed. His acting had improved—almost professional.

At least his training wasn’t wasted.

She forced a laugh. "Xavier, I heard you’ve been landing endorsements left and right."

Xavier beamed. He didn’t let her coldness faze him.

He stepped closer, fingers brushing her sleeve. "All thanks to you, Ms. Sterling. I’ve missed you..."

The endorsements were small, barely profitable, and exhausting—but better than nothing.