Chapter 969

Evelyn Sinclair knew better than to rush terminating Harrison Blake's contract.

His reaction had caught her off guard. The man wasn't the fool she'd assumed him to be.

Then again, how could someone with his level of awareness be an abuser?

Curiosity flickered in her mind, but she kept the question to herself.

Harrison followed her down the steps, hesitating before finally speaking.

"Ms. Sinclair, I owe you an apology."

She turned to face him. "For what?"

"I lied earlier. I do know Cassandra Blake."

'Ah, so that's what this is about,' Evelyn thought.

Her expression remained unreadable. "Then why lie?"

His voice was low, edged with frost. "I knew she had ulterior motives for securing me this endorsement deal. I didn't want to be associated with her."

That explained the deception.

But when Harrison had spotted Evelyn behind the wine cabinet, his blood had run cold.

The night air bit into them.

Evelyn pulled her jacket tighter. "Fine."

She believed him. The man had no reason to lie now.

Her car pulled up to the curb.

"Ms. Sinclair, if you're terminating the contract... please be merciful. I refused her request." Harrison knew exactly how ruthless corporate legal teams could be.

They had no conscience.

Even when the company breached first, the spokesperson always ended up footing the bill.

Evelyn studied him, head tilted. "Terminating the contract?"

"Yes. I never expected to keep this endorsement anyway, but..." A bitter smile twisted his lips. "Right now, it's all I have. No other work."

The cold detachment he'd maintained all night finally cracked.

It took Evelyn a second to process. 'He's relying on the termination fee to survive? That's... tragic.'

Her stare must have been too blatant because Harrison looked away, pride stung.

A man could only humble himself for so long.

This was his limit.

Evelyn pressed her lips together, her tone softening. "Given your honesty, I'll give you a chance. Come to my office tomorrow morning. We'll discuss the contract."

Harrison's eyes widened. A chance?

He hadn't dared hope for one from Sterling Enterprises.

Truthfully, when Cassandra had demanded he sabotage the company, part of him had been tempted. But her scheming was too obvious—she just wanted a fall guy.

Harrison was barely clinging to his career as it was.

If he'd obeyed her, it would have been professional suicide.

Before he could respond, Evelyn was already turning away.

The driver opened her car door, revealing another figure inside.

Harrison froze, making no move to follow.

Evelyn bent down and found Preston Sinclair waiting in the shadows.

Even in the dim interior, his features were striking—sharp yet warm, his gaze clear and piercing.

Surprise flickered through her. "What are you doing here?"

Preston had been waiting so long the car's scent clung to him. He smiled, reaching for her wrist to pull her inside.

But Evelyn's fitted skirt restricted her movement. As she stepped in, she stumbled straight into his arms.

Her nose bumped against his shoulder, his woodsy cologne enveloping her senses.

For a moment, she was disoriented.

Preston cupped her face, concern darkening his eyes. "Where did you get hurt?"

She laughed softly. "My nose."

It still throbbed faintly.