Chapter 698

Evelyn smirked. "Those fresh-faced idols from talent shows might have hordes of fans, but they're all middle school kids at best." She noticed the young celebrity stealing glances at her. "Not my type. I prefer men with more... experience."

Lucas caught up, draping an arm over her shoulder. "What's the gossip? Don't leave me out."

Both women ignored him completely. The male idol strutted ahead, suddenly stopping to don oversized sunglasses and a surgical mask. He barked into his phone, "Where's my security detail? I can't have random people touching me - I've got germophobia!" Evelyn and Natalie exchanged amused glances.

The whole display reeked of desperation. His fanbase probably hadn't even hit puberty yet - certainly not old enough to skip school for airport greetings. The idol took a dramatic breath before his grand exit, adjusting his baseball cap at a painfully calculated angle. The contradiction was almost artistic - simultaneously terrified of recognition yet dying for attention.

The punchline? His rented security formed an impenetrable human wall... for exactly zero waiting fans. Not a single banner or screaming teenager in sight. Evelyn bit back laughter. See? Responsible minors prioritizing education over fandom.

The idol's face fell until some paparazzi arrived. Their cameras flashed for exactly thirty seconds before packing up. "Where are my actual fans?" the idol demanded, ripping off his mask.

One photographer chuckled. "Market rate's seventy bucks per fan, five hundred for a group. Your agency's budget only covered these shots, kid." The idol's expression curdled like spoiled milk.

Then the photographer's phone rang. His eyes widened. "Evelyn Sinclair's here! Move, move, move!" The sudden spotlight shift left Evelyn momentarily frozen - no sunglasses, no mask, completely exposed.

Lucas moved with practiced ease, producing a mask... and slipping it onto Natalie instead. "I know you hate the spotlight," he whispered to his sister. "Play my assistant for five minutes." Evelyn's jaw dropped. Some brotherly love.

With a devilish grin, Lucas propelled her forward. "Don't hate me," he murmured. "A guy's gotta maintain his bachelor image." Had reporters not surrounded them, Evelyn would've kicked his shin.

"It's really her! Evelyn Sinclair! And Lucas Sterling too!" The cameras exploded. "Ms. Sinclair, were you traveling with your brother?" "You two seem so close!"

Evelyn's smile turned brittle. Close? She'd strangle him given half a chance. Maintaining perfect poise, she stood like royalty while Lucas shielded her eyes from the flashes with one hand, his other arm possessively around her shoulders.

"Give my sister some space, folks," he charmed the crowd. "Jet lag's hitting her hard." His grip tightened as he steered her through the chaos, the perfect protective sibling act. Evelyn mentally added this to his list of offenses.