Chapter 32
The next morning, Evelyn woke up from the heat.
She felt like she was being suffocated by a bear hug.
Evelyn opened her eyes and found that Matthew had somehow crawled into her blanket at some point during the night.
His arm was draped across her waist, his leg pinning hers down, his whole body wrapped around her like a cocoon.
She wiggled, and Matthew's voice came from above her head.
"Awake?" His voice was husky.
Evelyn looked up to meet eyes full of affection.
"Let go," she said. "It's hot."
Matthew didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his hold and nuzzled his chin against the top of her head.
"Still early. Sleep a bit more."
"People are waiting," Evelyn said flatly. "Can't hold up Mr. Perkins's important work, can I?"
Matthew paused, couldn't help but smile slightly.
He released her. Evelyn immediately threw off the covers, got up, and headed straight for the bathroom.
Matthew lay in bed, watching the bathroom door close, then slowly sat up.
In the mirror, there were faint shadows under his eyes. He hadn't slept all night, and now his temples were throbbing.
When Evelyn came out after getting ready, Matthew had already put on his dress shirt and was standing by the window.
She walked over and automatically picked out a suit jacket and tie from the closet.
As she handed them over, she realized—damn it, she'd done it out of pure habit.
Matthew didn't take them, just looked down at her.
That gaze was bright and clear, carrying some expectation she couldn't quite read.
Evelyn paused, then skillfully raised her hands and looped the tie around his neck. She'd done this hundreds of times—could do it with her eyes closed.
But... today his eyes stayed fixed on her face the whole time, burning enough to make her uncomfortable.
They were standing very close. She kept her eyes down and could only see the chest muscles visible at his collar.
She couldn't help thinking—this man really did have an incredible body. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, looked good in anything.
Evelyn's fingers paused as she mentally cursed herself: thinking with your hormones.
She quickly finished the tie and stepped back. "Done."
From Evelyn's slightly flushed cheeks, Matthew guessed what she'd just been thinking and couldn't help smiling.
---
By the time they arrived near Bookworm Inc., it was almost noon.
Matthew didn't have the driver go straight into the underground garage. Instead, they stopped by the curb.
"Lunch," he said.
Before Evelyn could refuse, he pulled her into a nearby restaurant.
Nice atmosphere, good privacy. But after Matthew sat down, he ordered a ridiculous amount of food.
"We can't finish all this," Evelyn said.
"Take your time," Matthew said, leaning back leisurely in his chair.
When the food arrived, Matthew rolled up his sleeves, personally peeled a shrimp, and held it up to her mouth.
Evelyn froze.
"Open up," he said.
Evelyn leaned back, lowering her voice. "Matthew, what are you doing?"
"Feeding you."
"I have hands."
Matthew didn't move, still holding the shrimp. Evelyn turned her head away, not daring to look at him.
"This restaurant's full of Bookworm employees," she said, voice even lower. "You don't want rumors spreading, do you?"
Matthew smiled slightly. "The media wouldn't dare publish rumors about me without my approval."
Evelyn looked at him, momentarily at a loss for words.
He picked up a piece of fish and put it in her bowl. "Eat some fish."
Evelyn frowned and didn't move.
Matthew waited a few seconds, a trace of irritation gradually appearing on his face. "Are you going to eat or not?"
"I can feed myself."
They were at a standoff, the atmosphere getting weird.
Just then, an amused voice came from nearby.
"Well, well, if it isn't Matthew? What a coincidence."
Evelyn turned to see a group of people standing not far away.
The woman in front was mid-thirties, impeccably dressed with flawless makeup.
Sally Seasons, one of Bookworm Inc.'s shareholders and Matthew's cousin—Emma's younger sister's daughter.
Several employees trailed behind her, clearly here for a team lunch.
Sally walked over, her gaze shifting between Evelyn and Matthew, her smile deepening.
"So that's why Matthew personally came to C City—he's got company."
Matthew frowned slightly but didn't respond.
Sally looked at Evelyn, sizing her up.
"Miss Arden, I heard you were pretty impressive in yesterday's meeting? Put our Mr. Smith on the spot."
Evelyn said nothing.
Sally took a step forward, voice pitched just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"Miss Arden, you've been at Matthew's side for three years now, right? Guess after all that time, you've forgotten your place."
She paused, smile turning meaningful.
"You're not much like Matthew's first love anymore. I remember her being quiet, never fighting for anything."
"That's the kind that people actually like, don't you think?"
As Sally finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned to Evelyn in unison.
Position. First love. Evelyn's heart sank.
Whispers began spreading around them.
"Evelyn? Isn't she Mr. Perkins's assistant? How'd she get mixed up with some first love story?"
"She is pretty good-looking though, so no wonder..."
Those stares felt like tiny needles jabbing from all directions.
Evelyn rolled her eyes and slowly stood up with a bright smile.
"Miss Seasons, you've got way too much time on your hands, obsessing over gossip like this."
Evelyn looked at her, tone flat. "That report from yesterday—the gap between total revenue and net profit, you know exactly how big it was, don't you?"
Sally's expression shifted.
Evelyn took a step forward, leaning close to her ear, smile widening as if she'd just thought of something.
"Oh, and if Matthew's fiancée found out you were out here talking smack about her future husband..."
"What do you think? Would she let it slide? Would the Quinn family let it slide?"
Without waiting for Sally's reaction, Evelyn turned and walked out.
Sally stood frozen, face white as a sheet.
The employees around her kept their heads down, wishing they could disappear into the floor.
Matthew rose from his seat, his gaze following Evelyn's retreating figure before settling on Sally's face.
No expression.
Just looked at her once.
Then he turned and followed in Evelyn's direction.
That one look sent chills down Sally's spine.
Only then did she remember—Matthew was the heir who'd fought off all his uncles to seize control of the Perkins Group.
Running her mouth about him like that was basically... a death wish.
---
At the entrance, Matthew caught up and reached for Evelyn's hand.
Evelyn twisted her wrist and dodged.
"Evelyn," Matthew said, standing beside her with a pitiful expression. "Sally's got issues..."
"I know you got hurt, but don't take it out on me, okay?"
Evelyn gave a faint smile, her face looking a bit pale.
"Mr. Perkins, if you hadn't forced me to stay by your side," her voice turned bitter, "I wouldn't have to deal with any of this humiliation in the first place."