At this moment, the afternoon sunlight cast a layer of warm glow on Juliana.
The warmth on her body made her close her eyes comfortably, like a cat basking in the sun, retracting all its claws.
Evan felt as if something lightly bumped his heart.
The old feelings that had never truly dissipated mixed with the sudden surge of affection, silently permeating his entire chest.
His steps halted for half a beat.
Juliana noticed his arrival, quickly opened her eyes, and gave him a slight smile.
"Would you like something to drink?"
Evan gathered his thoughts, walked over, and sat opposite her, his gaze sweeping over the cup in front of her, "You’re drinking this?"
Juliana naturally replied, "I’ve been sleeping poorly lately, coffee makes me sleepless."
A trace of contemplation passed through Evan’s eyes, but he didn’t ask further, simply ordering an Americano from the waiter.
After the coffee was served, he pushed a photograph to her front.
The photo showed the side profile of a man sitting in a wheelchair, his figure frail and slender, clearly exhibiting the weakness of someone long afflicted by illness.
"Is this... Nathan Carter?" Juliana asked.
Evan nodded, "A picture from a year ago."
Juliana furrowed her brows slightly, "It’s too blurry, you can’t see the features at all. This still doesn’t prove that the Third Master Carter active in Kingsford now is truly a member of the Carters."
Evan took a sip of coffee, "This photo wasn’t easy to come by. Master Carter hardly shows up in public, but the Carters all confirmed to me that he indeed came to Kingsford."
Nathan Carter’s access to the exclusive special medication from the Carter Family’s biological lab already indicates that the Carters want to establish a connection with the Paxton Family through him. Therefore, it’s understandable that they protect the true identity of this ’Third Master’.
Juliana fell silent, her fingertips gently stroking the edge of the photograph, her gaze turning to the outside.
Evan asked, "What are you doubting?"
His words fell, and he also looked out the window.
Just at that moment, a figure emerged from the entrance of The Cardinal Art Club.
"Nathan Carter," Juliana spoke.
Evan’s gaze deepened.
Juliana continued, "Whose place is this, you know better than I. I trust Old Mr. Paxton will soon have a new favorite, and you..."
She smiled, withdrew her gaze, and took a sip of pear juice without continuing.
But Evan understood the implied meaning in her words.
"I’m a businessman. Approaching Old Mr. Paxton is to open necessary connections and acquire resources. For businessmen, mutually beneficial transactions are normal. I’m not anyone’s pawn, nor will I become anyone’s dagger."
Juliana showed no reaction to his explanation.
At a distance, Nathan Carter reached the parking lot, about to get in the car when the driver discovered a flat tire, needing someone to fix it.
Nathan looked around, noticed the cafe, and walked toward it.
Evan narrowed his eyes...
"Fortunately, you still remember how Isaac died."
Juliana’s words landed as Nathan Carter pushed open the door and walked in.
At first glance, he saw Evan, his whole body stiffening notably for a moment.
Juliana stood up with a smile and greeted, "President Carter, what a coincidence, come sit with us?"
Seeing Evan with no preparation, Nathan Carter’s emotions surged, his leg movements were exceptionally unnatural.
Yet, after a few steps, he managed his emotions, reaching their table.
"Calling you ’Mrs. Langley’ now seems unsuitable, President Jacobs."
Nathan’s expression was friendly, but his tone carried a distinct sarcasm.
Juliana unexpectedly wasn’t bothered, instead smiling slightly, gesture signaling him.
"This is Chairman Grant, I don’t know if President Carter is acquainted, let’s sit and chat."
Nathan sat down, looking at Evan, his attitude slightly reserved.
"Chairman Grant is a famous entrepreneur, with businesses spanning domestically and abroad, how could one not know."
Juliana took the hint, turned her gaze to Evan, her tone light.
"Speaking of domestically and abroad... I just remembered, Chairman Grant once auctioned a diamond necklace overseas at a sky-high price, making quite a sensation. It was supposed to be a fifth-anniversary gift for me, unfortunately ruined by a woman... By the way, what did you do with that necklace afterward?"
Evan’s face remained expressionless, but his hand stirring the coffee grew heavier.
The fifth-anniversary mark, to him, was an old wound yet to heal.
He pressed his lips, saying, "Regarding that matter, I’m very sorry. Stella Windsor at that time wore the necklace without permission, and I couldn’t make her remove it in public. I didn’t expect her to leave traces for you to see. I understand your dislike for used items. That necklace was too ominous, so I had Ethan Carter deal with it. The necklace and Stella Windsor... are best completely out of sight."
Clatter...
The silver spoon in Nathan’s hand fell onto the porcelain plate by accident.
He immediately steadied his mind and forced out a stiff smile.
"Sorry, slipped hand. Chairman Grant... is indeed free-spirited."
Juliana saw his reaction, a hint of amusement in her eyes, pressing on asking Evan the next question.
"Honestly, until today I still don’t understand, why were you so good to that stepsister? Good to the point that you almost had me harmed by her numerous times."
Upon hearing this, Evan’s expression completely chilled.
This wasn’t directed at Juliana, but at those past events.
"It was my father who was momentarily misguided and erred. For the Grant Family’s face, I had to take care of her to keep her quiet. Hurting you because of her was never my intention. Please believe, my feelings for the surname Windsor were strictly related to the problem itself, never beyond that. My greatest regret now is not having made her disappear entirely."
No feelings... just a problem... regret not having made her disappear entirely...
These words shrieked, collided in Nathan’s mind, nearly breaking through the last line of his rationality.
The coffee cup accidentally slipped from his hand, fell onto the table, spilling brown liquid all over.
The three of them immediately stood up.
"Sorry!"
Nathan’s face was pale, his vocal cords taut, his originally neutral voice sounding even more feminine.
"My car is almost fixed, I must excuse myself now."
He didn’t even bother to wipe, nearly staggered as he turned, hurriedly pushed the door and left.
At the entrance, he collided with a passerby.
Not even waiting for an apology, he hurried away.
If not Stella Windsor, who could it be?
Juliana watched his figure disappear into the parking lot, the disguised gentleness in her eyes fading away.
The purpose achieved, she turned to Evan, her tone distant, "I’m also tired today, let’s end here."
After speaking, she picked up her bag to leave, but her wrist was suddenly grasped by a force.
Evan pulled her back.
Unexpectedly, she collided with his chest.
Juliana instinctively protected her abdomen, frowning up at him.
Evan’s arm encircled her waist, his breath hot against her cheek.
"Used and tossed aside?"
Juliana struggled in his embrace, unable to break free, yet calmly smiled.
"Not allowed?"
"Allowed." Evan also smiled, his smile carrying some indulgence, "Business pays attention to give and take. Having let you use me this time, I’ll have to savor some gains to continue future deals, isn’t that right?"
Juliana was silent for a few seconds.
She needed Evan’s connection and to temporarily settle him.
"Allowed is allowed, but limited to ’transaction’. Things beyond boundaries, like now, are not permissible."
The arm encircling her gradually relaxed.
Evan stepped back, the moment’s aggression and dominance vanished without a trace, returning to his usual noble and steady demeanor.
"Vigilance is quite strong. Rest assured, it’s merely an invite for dinner together. No need to be tense."
Juliana glanced at him, no longer opposed.
They left the café together.
Yet less than five minutes later, the café’s doors were surrounded.
The staff were still in shock, but Elias Langley’s cold silhouette appeared at the entrance.
Zachary York quickly stepped forward, lowering his voice, "I asked the staff, they said... Madam left with a man."
Snap!
Beside Elias Langley, the innocent chair’s armrest was squeezed to the point of cracking.
"Check the surveillance. I want clarity on her fate!"