Chapter 30
Hearing Evelyn's words, Matthew froze.
He'd imagined many reactions she might have to his explanation, but not this one.
A sense of losing control crept over him. His voice came out cold and hard, carrying a fear he didn't even recognize.
"I won't let you leave."
His eyes filled with possessiveness. "I'll make you fall in love with me eventually."
Evelyn paused, then laughed. "The contract's already expired. You planning to go back on your word?"
Matthew frowned. "You got on my ship. You think you can just walk off whenever you want? Dream on."
"Matthew," Evelyn said. "What exactly do you want?"
He didn't look at her, just spoke flatly.
"Evelyn, you know how I operate... While you were gone, I looked into some things."
Evelyn sat up sharply, her breathing catching.
"Monica, your college roommate and best friend."
"Luna, Kate—your close friends in S City..."
"And today's guest, your neighbor brother Ronald."
Evelyn stared at Matthew in disbelief.
"Their jobs, their lives, their safety," Matthew said lightly. "I won't touch any of it right now."
"Of course," he added, "if you don't behave, then what happens to them... that's anyone's guess."
Evelyn glared at him, chest heaving violently.
"Matthew, you're not human! You're—"
"Oh right." He cut her off, tone still casual. "There's also that charity project you've been doing on the side."
"The one funding orphans."
Evelyn's face went even paler.
"It's not a big project, but pretty meaningful." Matthew said. "You must've put a lot of heart into it, right?"
"You wouldn't want me to shut it down with one phone call, would you?"
Evelyn looked at him like he was a monster.
No, not a monster.
A demon.
She'd seen his business tactics, heard stories of how he could bankrupt opponents overnight.
She'd thought she was far removed from all that, thought those were just rumors.
But now those methods were aimed at her.
At the people around her, at the few sources of light and warmth in her life.
A deep wave of nausea surged up from her stomach.
She clutched her chest, voice shaking. "Stop the car."
Matthew glanced at her.
"I said stop the car!" Her voice rose, trembling. "I'm carsick!"
Matthew nodded to the driver.
The car pulled over. Evelyn shoved the door open and bent over, retching violently.
She heaved for a long time but nothing came up—just dry heaving.
Matthew's hand settled on her back, patting gently.
He grabbed a bottle of water from the car, opened it, and handed it to her.
Evelyn took the water, rinsed her mouth, and didn't look at him.
Matthew stood behind her, a sharp pain twisting in his chest.
Like he felt sorry for her.
But... he couldn't afford to feel sorry.
He knew her too well.
She was stubborn and hardheaded. When she said she wouldn't look back, she meant it. If he backed down now, she'd really leave.
He had to harden his heart, keep her here, even if it meant using methods that made her resent him, hate him.
He took a deep breath, suppressed that sympathy, and put his cold mask back on.
Evelyn straightened up and wiped her mouth.
She stood there for a long time, like she was making an impossibly difficult decision.
Matthew didn't rush her.
After what felt like forever, Evelyn turned around and walked back to him.
Her eyes were a bit red, but her face showed no expression.
"I'll go with you," she said, voice flat. "But you have to remember what you said..."
"Don't touch them."
Matthew looked at her and nodded. "I keep my word."
Evelyn bent down and climbed back into the car.
Matthew followed, shutting the door behind them.
She wasn't leaving him.
At least on the surface. As for the future, he had plenty of time to make them... start over.
"We're going straight to the airport," he said, tone neutral.
"There's a project in C City. You're coming with me to inspect it."
Evelyn gave a soft "mm" of acknowledgment.
Her phone screen lit up. Evelyn looked down—a WhatsApp message from Ronald.
[Evelyn, I was serious about what I said today.]
[I want to marry you. Not because you're pregnant, but because it's you.]
[Give me a chance, okay? Whatever you've been through, I only care about you.]
[If you need help with anything, reach out anytime.]
Evelyn stared at the screen, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Afraid Matthew would see, she quickly typed a few words: "Got it."
Then locked her phone.
Matthew seemed to sense something and glanced her way. "Who was that?"
"Nobody." Evelyn looked out the window. "Remember to reimburse Ron for medical expenses."
Matthew agreed, then closed his eyes like he was sleeping.
That sharply defined face, brows furrowed, like something was bothering him.
She remembered how he'd stood behind her earlier, patting her back.
The movement had been gentle, almost carefully tender.
But she also remembered how casually he'd threatened her just moments before.
She couldn't tell which one was the real him.
Maybe he'd never been someone she could figure out.
She looked away, turning back to the window, resting her hand gently on her stomach.
Baby, Mommy compromised again. But it's only temporary.
---
They arrived in C City at four in the afternoon.
In the hotel suite, Evelyn stood before the full-length mirror, changing into business attire.
Since things had already blown up with Matthew anyway, she didn't feel like dressing to his preferences anymore.
She stopped wearing those submissive soft colors and changed into a red V-neck blouse with a black pencil skirt instead.
Evelyn casually tousled her wavy hair loose, then carefully applied red lipstick in front of the mirror.
Matthew leaned against the doorframe waiting for her. When she walked out, his gaze lingered.
Under the lights, Evelyn's lips gleamed full and red, the V-neck revealing a stretch of smooth, enticing skin.
His Adam's apple bobbed, eyes darkening.
Evelyn walked past him, tone flat. "Let's go. Don't keep people waiting."
---
Downstairs at Bookworm Inc., the project manager Landon greeted them personally.
"Mr. Perkins, what an honor! Sorry for not welcoming you sooner!" Mr. Smith beamed.
Matthew responded with a noncommittal sound.
Mr. Smith turned to Evelyn, smiling obsequiously. "Miss Arden came too? Long time no see, you look great."
Evelyn didn't respond, just nodded.
The conference room was packed. The projector was on, printed materials spread across the table.
Mr. Smith gestured for everyone to sit, then stood by the projection screen and cleared his throat.
"Mr. Perkins, that acquisition case of yours last time was textbook-level execution..."
"Mr. Smith." Evelyn spoke up, voice not loud but crystal clear. "Skip ahead to the Q4 project summary."
"Time's limited. We can do without the small talk."
The conference room went quiet for a second.
Mr. Smith froze, looking at Evelyn.
This woman who used to just quietly take meeting notes—today she seemed like a completely different person.
That outfit, that tone, those eyes looking directly at him—he instinctively glanced at Matthew.
Matthew said nothing, just leaned back in his chair in a "listen to her" kind of posture.
Mr. Smith's heart sank, but his face maintained its smile. "Right, you're absolutely right. Much more efficient this way."
The slides advanced. Data tables appeared one after another.
Evelyn listened quietly, taking notes.
Ten minutes, twenty minutes. Her brow gradually furrowed.
"Stop."
Mr. Smith was right in the middle of his spiel, thrown off by the interruption. "Miss Arden?"
"Go back." Evelyn pointed at the screen. "Page five, that revenue chart."
Mr. Smith scrolled back, looking confused.
Evelyn stood up, walked to the projection screen, and tapped her finger on it.
"This quarter's total revenue—two hundred seventy million dollars."
She pointed to another column. "ROI, four point three percent. Now flip forward—net profit statement, twenty-two million dollars."
She turned to face Mr. Smith.
"Mr. Smith, with these three numbers sitting together, do you honestly think they add up?"