Chapter 46
The meeting started. Just as Evelyn opened the PowerPoint, Jack raised his hand to stop her.
His eyes carried provocation as he spoke deliberately. "Miss Arden, before the presentation, I have a question. After cooperation, how do we resolve the different technical standards between our countries?"
He paused, looking around the room with a meaningful smile. "If you can't answer this, I'll find it hard to believe you can successfully lead this project."
As he finished, Jack noticed everyone's surprised expressions and narrowed his eyes with satisfaction. Such a complex technical question—how could a woman who slept her way up possibly know the answer?
Thinking of how she'd be humiliated in a moment, Jack was filled with anticipation.
The technical experts looked at Evelyn, sweat beading on their foreheads. Evelyn had been by Mr. Perkins' side for years, her professionalism evident to all, but more in project management. Could she answer such a specialized question?
Everyone's eyes focused on Evelyn—some concerned, some skeptical, some gleefully anticipating her failure.
Evelyn ignored them all, looking calmly at Jack. "Your question is precisely the key to this cooperation. We've already considered it carefully. European standards emphasize universality. We'll retain core interfaces while adding compatible interface designs..."
Her pace was measured, but every sentence went straight to the heart of the issue. As she explained, she navigated to the corresponding charts in the PowerPoint to demonstrate for Jack. The complex blueprints and numbers came alive under her presentation, logical and smooth.
Jack's expression changed gradually as Evelyn explained. His mouth had initially carried mockery. Then he sat up straight, his gaze becoming focused.
"Does that clarify things for you? If there are no issues, I'll continue."
Jack nodded, unable to voice any objections.
Everyone in the conference room was completely absorbed.
Twenty minutes later, Evelyn set down the laser pointer. "That's all our team has prepared. Sir, any other questions?"
Jack looked at her. The contempt had vanished from his gaze, replaced only by incredulous admiration.
He stood, walked to Evelyn, and extended his hand. "Miss Arden, I apologize for my earlier rudeness." Each word was spoken earnestly. "Your professional capability is truly impressive."
Evelyn shook his hand with a smile. "You're too kind. Looking forward to working together."
Applause erupted. The engineering department colleagues clapped loudest, marketing joined in, even the perpetually stone-faced legal team was smiling.
Evelyn returned to her seat, exhaling internally. Good thing she'd spent the past three years obsessively studying drones whenever she had free time. She'd practically worn out the interface blueprints—otherwise today could have been a disaster.
Marigold sat nearby, also clapping. But she wasn't looking at Evelyn—she was watching Matthew.
Matthew's gaze had been tracking Evelyn the entire time. From the moment she stood up to when she finished her last sentence. That look held admiration, pride, and a gentleness and indulgence Marigold had never seen before.
Marigold's face paled slightly. She lowered her head, her fingers slowly clenching.
The meeting ended and the crowd dispersed. Evelyn gathered her materials and left the conference room alone.
After work, she didn't tell Matthew, just took a cab back to the apartment by herself.
Matthew wasn't annoyed. He grabbed his coat and quickly left the building. He first stopped to buy her favorite pastries, then hurried home.
When he opened the door, Evelyn was curled up on the sofa reading. Seeing him, she paused. "You're home early."
Matthew said nothing, setting the pastries in front of her. "Try these. I remember you love the peach-flavored little cakes."
Evelyn glanced at the elegant box and picked up a piece, putting it in her mouth. After just two bites, her stomach suddenly churned.
Her expression changed. She covered her mouth and rushed to the bathroom.
Matthew stood frozen. Recently, she'd been throwing up a lot. He'd thought she was just tired, but today...
A thought suddenly flooded his mind. Was Evelyn... pregnant?
The idea came suddenly but refused to leave. Impossible, he told himself. They'd always been careful with protection.
But still...
When Evelyn came out of the bathroom, she saw him standing by the door. Her face was still pale. Meeting his gaze, her heart suddenly panicked.
"What are you looking at?"
Matthew didn't answer. He just looked at her, his gaze filled with scrutiny and contemplation. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke, his voice soft yet inexplicably gentle.
"Eve, are you pregnant?"
Evelyn's heart plummeted. But her face revealed nothing. She just paused for a moment, then laughed.
The smile was natural, carrying a hint of "what are you thinking" exasperation.
"How is that possible?" she said. "I just had my period last week. I've been throwing up a lot because my stomach's been off. The doctor even prescribed me medicine last time." She paused, looking at him. "You're definitely overthinking it."
Matthew stared at her, as if trying to discern truth from lies. Evelyn let him look, not avoiding his gaze.
After a while, he looked away. Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief.
She walked toward the bathroom. At the door, she suddenly stopped and turned back to look at him.
"Matthew," she asked, "if I were pregnant, how much would you pay me to get rid of it?"
Matthew froze. He looked into her eyes, seeing something he couldn't understand.
Evelyn's gaze was indifferent and cool, as if asking about something that had nothing to do with her.
"That's not happening," he said coldly, "so don't make that kind of assumption."
Evelyn smiled slightly, then closed the door.
Water began rushing. Evelyn let the stream flow over her body, closed her eyes and tilted her head back.
Just as she thought—he wouldn't want this child.
She looked down at her belly and gently touched it, her eyes determined.
After pregnancy, Evelyn had been sleeping much more. After blow-drying her hair, she quickly burrowed into bed.
Matthew sat on the sofa without moving. He looked at the closed bedroom door, thinking about the question she'd just asked.
"If I were pregnant, how much would you pay me to get rid of it?"
Why would she ask that? He didn't know. He realized there were too many things he didn't know.
Then he thought about the question itself. If she were pregnant, what would he do?
He closed his eyes, following that thought further.
A child. His and her child.
Who would it look like? Whoever it resembled, it would definitely be beautiful.
Then he thought of his own childhood. The stern father, the distant mother, the empty mansion. He didn't want a child to live that kind of life.
If it were her child with him, he'd teach the child to ride horses, let her teach the child to read. When he sternly disciplined the child, she could laugh and smooth things over.
That scene suddenly became very specific, clear, and... appealing.
He opened his eyes, stood up, and walked into the bedroom.
Evelyn lay on her side, her back to him, breathing evenly. He lifted the covers and slipped in, hugging her from behind.
She didn't move. He tightened his arms, his chin resting on her shoulder.
"Evelyn," he asked softly, "let's have a baby, okay?"