Chapter 7
It was Arianna. Sebastian really had some nerve. Wasn't he worried Richard would find out and lose his mind?
Evelyn's feet stayed rooted to the spot for a solid three seconds.
Arianna was wearing a pale pink gown, half-leaning against Sebastian's side, laughing warmly with several guests like she owned the place.
Someone walking past murmured, "Mr. Ashford's wife looks so sweet. They're such a perfect match."
Evelyn heard that and felt something twist in her chest. It wasn't heartbreak. It was more like a rock lodged in her throat.
She took a deep breath and walked over.
Sebastian saw her first.
His expression shifted. Not guilty, exactly, but definitely caught off guard for a second. He moved Arianna away from his arm—barely—but the gesture was so slight it barely registered.
"You're here."
Evelyn glanced at Arianna, then at Sebastian. She didn't say anything.
Arianna spoke first, her voice soft as cotton. "Eve, you made it! Seb said you might be running late, so I helped him greet the guests. You don't mind, do you?"
Evelyn ignored her completely and looked straight at Sebastian. "Grandpa told me to come because the client specifically requested a married couple. So why is she standing where I'm supposed to be?"
Sebastian frowned, lowering his voice. "Annie's been feeling down lately. I just brought her out to cheer her up. Don't make a big deal out of this."
Evelyn almost laughed out loud.
Feeling down. Cheering her up.
So she cheered up by attending Ashford Group's business dinner, clinging to Sebastian's arm, and standing in the spot meant for his wife?
"Fine." Evelyn gave a small nod. "You two have fun. I'm out. When Grandpa asks, you can explain it yourself."
She turned and walked away.
Sebastian called after her. "Evelyn—"
She didn't look back.
She wasn't about to get into a fight with him in front of a crowd. She had more self-respect than that. And honestly, what was the point? Even if she won the argument, Sebastian would just bring Arianna to the next event.
Instead of standing there feeling insulted, she might as well do something useful.
Evelyn grabbed a glass of champagne and walked along the edge of the ballroom. She quickly found tonight's business partner—Mr. Harrison from Farcry Group—seated in a lounge area near the windows.
Mr. Harrison was in his early fifties and had been in the industry for over twenty years. He had a reputation for being tough but fair. Farcry was a key piece of the government contract Ashford Group was trying to secure.
Evelyn had worked on the preliminary research for this project back when she was still in Ashford Group's marketing department. She knew Farcry inside and out.
She walked over with her champagne, but before she got close, she saw someone she didn't expect to see here.
Cedric sat in the main seat of the lounge area, dressed in a sharp black suit. Mr. Harrison sat across from him, leaning forward slightly, his tone almost deferential.
"Mr. Parker, don't worry about this. I'm personally overseeing it. There won't be any problems..."
Evelyn stopped a few feet away.
Why was Cedric here?
She hesitated for a moment. Cedric noticed her first. He turned his head slightly and gave her a small nod.
Evelyn walked over.
"Cedric."
Cedric stood, his tone as calm as ever. "Ms. Kendall."
Mr. Harrison looked between Evelyn and Cedric curiously.
Cedric gave a brief introduction. "This is Evelyn. She's a project lead in Ashford Group's marketing department. She spearheaded the East District tourism project."
Mr. Harrison's eyes lit up. "The East District project? I've seen that proposal. Very solid work. Ms. Kendall, impressive for someone your age."
Evelyn smiled politely. "You're too kind, Mr. Harrison. I was actually hoping to ask you a few questions about Farcry's supply chain for eco-friendly materials."
Mr. Harrison looked intrigued.
Evelyn might be planning to quit Ashford Group, but she never left loose ends. And she'd been studying Farcry on her own time for a while. If she ended up at a new company, these connections would still be useful.
The two of them talked for about ten minutes—supply chains, cost control, policy advantages.
By the end, Mr. Harrison was nodding seriously. He tapped the armrest of the couch. "Ms. Kendall, your skills are wasted in marketing at Ashford Group. Tell you what—are you free next Wednesday? I've got a renewable energy project in development, and I'd love to talk strategy with someone who gets it."
Evelyn didn't jump at the offer. She thought for a moment. "Let me check my schedule for Wednesday and get back to you."
Mr. Harrison handed her his business card. Evelyn took it, and they exchanged a few more pleasantries before she excused herself.
She'd done what she came to do. She'd made an appearance and connected with the business partner. That was enough to fulfill Richard's request. Whatever lovey-dovey performance Sebastian and Arianna wanted to put on in there, she had zero interest in watching.
As she passed through the main hall, she caught a glimpse of Sebastian and Arianna out of the corner of her eye.
Arianna was tilting her head and dabbing at a wine stain on Sebastian's sleeve with a handkerchief. The gesture was intimate and practiced, like they'd done it a thousand times before.
Sebastian didn't pull away. He just kept talking to the person next to him.
Evelyn looked away and pushed open the glass door leading to the back courtyard.
The night air was cool and damp. It was so much quieter out here than inside.
The courtyard was expansive, with neatly trimmed hedges lining a gravel path. At the end was an outdoor pool lit up with soft blue light.
A few lounge chairs sat around the pool. Empty.
Evelyn walked over and sat down on one of the chairs. She kicked off her heels and let her toes touch the cool ground.
She pulled out her phone, took a photo of Mr. Harrison's business card, and saved it. Just as she was about to lock the screen, she heard light footsteps behind her.
"Hiding out here all by yourself?"
Arianna's voice drifted over, laced with amusement.
Evelyn didn't turn around. She set her phone on her lap.
Arianna walked around to face her, holding a glass of champagne. The breeze pressed her dress against her legs. She glanced around. No one else. No cameras.
The pitiful mask she usually wore finally dropped.
"Eve, we've known each other for a few years now. There's something I've been wanting to ask you." Arianna sat down on the lounge chair across from her, crossing her legs. Her tone turned slow and mocking. "Don't you feel pathetic?"
Evelyn looked up at her.
Arianna laughed softly.
"You've been in the Ashford family for three years. Can you even count how many times Sebastian's actually looked at you? One phone call from me and he drops everything to come running. I get a cold and he flies back overnight. You could have appendicitis and he probably wouldn't even remember you exist. So what exactly are you getting out of this?"