Chapter 560

Evelyn sat at the outdoor café table, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed out emails with sharp, irritated strokes. Lucas wasn't filming today, which meant she had to pick him up later.

She didn’t notice the man beside her at first—until she felt the faintest breeze against her cheek.

Evelyn glanced up, frowning. "Xavier, what are you doing?"

It was a crisp autumn day, the air already cool. Why was he fanning her?

Xavier looked sheepish, crouching beside her chair like an eager puppy.

"I didn’t want you to overheat," he admitted, "but I also didn’t want you to get cold."

Evelyn barely resisted rolling her eyes.

He pushed a small plate of freshly cut fruit toward her. "I just sliced these. Would you like some, Ms. Sinclair?"

She nudged it away. "No, thank you."

Xavier didn’t seem bothered. His smile was soft, almost adoring.

"I still can’t believe Mr. Lucas gave me such a big role," he gushed. "The second male lead! It’s incredible!"

Evelyn’s brows lifted slightly.

Second male lead?

"I know it’s because of you," he continued, voice warm with gratitude. "How can I ever repay you?"

His face—so unnervingly similar to Nathan’s—twisted into a delicate, almost feminine smile. It looked wrong. Unnatural.

Evelyn turned away with a dry laugh. "Maybe it’s just your acting skills."

"I won’t disappoint you!"

Xavier clasped his hands together, then speared a piece of fruit with a fork. "Ah—"

Evelyn blinked.

She didn’t open her mouth. He didn’t lower the fork. The silence stretched awkwardly.

With a sigh, she leaned forward and took the bite, then firmly shook her head when he tried to offer another.

Since there were no other chairs, Xavier settled on the ground beside her, chattering excitedly about industry gossip and drama. Evelyn hummed in vague acknowledgment, her mind still stuck on Natalie’s shattered jade pendant.

It had been a gift from Natalie’s grandmother—her only keepsake. Losing it must have devastated her.

A sudden burst of voices cut through her thoughts.

"Mr. Blackwood! With you here, our ratings are guaranteed to soar!"

Evelyn’s head snapped up.

Across the courtyard, beneath the shadowed eaves of the building, stood Nathan. His gaze was dark, unreadable. She had no idea how long he’d been watching.

Xavier’s hand trembled, the fruit slipping from his fork.

At the sound of Nathan’s name, he flinched.

They were rivals, after all.

Nathan had wealth, power, status—but Xavier was convinced Evelyn preferred him. Why else would she have supported him this far?

Bolstered by that thought, he lifted another piece of fruit toward her lips.

Evelyn, distracted, automatically opened her mouth—then froze.

Too late.

She looked back toward the building.

Nathan was gone.

Good. She exhaled. Maybe now he’ll finally give up.

Still, irritation prickled under her skin. She stood abruptly.

Xavier glanced up, confused.

Evelyn gestured toward the set. "The director’s calling you."

He turned, spotting the director waving him over.

Xavier scrambled to his feet, practically vibrating with excitement. "Ms. Sinclair, after filming, I’ll escort you back to your hotel!"

Before she could refuse, he dashed off.

Evelyn stared after him, baffled. Why would I need a hotel?

Then it clicked.

To him, she was his sugar mommy. Of course he’d assume she expected… services.

A cold sneer curled her lips. Disgust flickered in her eyes.

When she turned, Nathan was there.

Right in front of her.

His expression was ice, his gaze hollow.

Evelyn’s pulse jumped.

Damn it. He scared me.