Chapter 53
Jack froze, completely unprepared for this reaction. For a moment, his grip loosened.
Evelyn didn't spare him another glance. She stepped around him and walked deeper into the hallway.
Evelyn didn't return to the dinner. She sent Matthew a message saying she wasn't feeling well and was heading home. He replied briefly: [Okay.]
Back at the apartment, she showered and lay in bed. Exhausted but unable to sleep, her mind churned. One moment she saw Matthew's sincere, proud expression when he'd introduced her. The next, Jack's words echoed in her head.
"You're just a bed warmer."
"He won't damage our partnership over a woman."
She closed her eyes and turned over.
After what felt like hours, she heard the door. Matthew walked in and stood beside the bed, looking at her.
Evelyn wasn't actually asleep. The moment the light came on, she'd woken, but she kept her eyes closed and stayed still. He watched her for a long time.
His gaze rested on her face, light but warm. She couldn't help opening her eyes and meeting his.
He stood there, backlit, the glow softening his features. Those eyes held no fatigue or irritation—only a gentleness and focus she'd never seen before. A tenderness that frightened her.
She turned her face away, not daring to look anymore.
Matthew said nothing. He removed his jacket, lay down beside her, and pulled her into his arms. She stiffened but didn't move. Neither did he—just held her, his chin resting on the top of her head.
After a long while, he spoke. "Good night." His voice was soft.
Evelyn didn't answer. She lay there listening to his heartbeat, taking a very long time to fall asleep.
The next morning, Evelyn woke early. Matthew was still sleeping. She carefully moved his arm aside, got out of bed, washed up, changed, and left before he woke.
When she arrived at the office, colleagues' eyes followed her wherever she went, their expressions complicated. Evelyn paused and pulled out her compact to check her reflection. Her makeup was fine. Why were they all looking at her like that? Had something gone wrong with Limbo Inc. again?
Her eyes sharpened. She walked quickly toward her office.
Pushing open the door, she froze. Someone sat on the sofa—Matthew's mother, Emma.
She wore an impeccable suit, her hair perfectly coiffed, holding a cup of tea and sipping slowly. Seeing Evelyn enter, she raised her eyes. Her lips curled slightly, and the temperature in the room seemed to plummet.
"Miss Arden, you're finally here?" She deliberately emphasized the title, her mockery unmistakable.
Evelyn ignored the sarcasm and walked to her desk, looking at her steadily. "Mrs. Perkins, did you need something?"
Emma set down her teacup and stood. She walked up to Evelyn, looking her up and down. "You're quite talented," she said slowly. "Three years, and you've managed to get my son to push me out. And secured yourself a VP position."
Evelyn said nothing.
Emma stepped closer, her voice growing sharper. "Evelyn, do you really not know, or are you pretending? Matthew is engaged."
Evelyn looked at her. "I know."
"You know?" Emma laughed coldly. "You know and still refuse to leave. What are you scheming?"
Evelyn remained silent.
Emma's voice rose higher. "What do you think you are? Someone with no background, no family—you think you can marry into the Perkins family? You're not even worthy of carrying our shoes!"
She raised her hand as if to slap her. But before the blow could land, her wrist was caught.
Evelyn gripped her wrist—not hard, but Emma couldn't move.
"Are you finished?" Evelyn's voice was perfectly calm.
Emma froze.
Evelyn released her and looked at her. "I told you before—your son is the one keeping me here," she said flatly. "I'd love to leave. If you really have a solution, go deal with your son. Don't throw a tantrum at me."
Emma's expression changed. "You—!"
"Also," Evelyn interrupted, "you know exactly why you were forced to retire. Don't try to pin everything on me. That's a burden too heavy for me to carry."
Emma's expression froze on her face. She opened her mouth but couldn't speak.
Footsteps approached. Matthew walked in, taking in the scene, his brow furrowing. "Mother."
Emma turned to him. "Perfect timing. Look at her attitude—"
"Enough." Matthew cut her off. He moved to stand in front of Evelyn, shielding her. "This has nothing to do with her," he said, looking at Emma. "I'm the one who put her in charge."
Emma's face darkened further. "Matthew, stay out of this!"
"Out of respect for you, I haven't touched the people you planted in the company," Matthew's voice was cold. "What happened with Walt was just a warning."
Emma went still.
"If you continue like this," Matthew looked at her, "I won't hesitate to clean house more thoroughly. Including reconsidering our partnership with your family."
Emma's face went completely ashen.
Matthew didn't look at her again. He waved his assistant over. "Take Mrs. Perkins home."
Thomas nodded and approached Emma. "Mrs. Perkins, this way please."
Emma was escorted toward the door. At the threshold, she looked back at Evelyn, her expression complex. Evelyn didn't flinch, meeting her gaze calmly.
The door closed. The office fell quiet.
Matthew turned to Evelyn. "I'm sorry," he said. "You had to deal with that because of me."
Evelyn lowered her eyes without speaking.
Matthew took a step forward. "Let me take you to dinner tonight," he said. "What would you like to eat?"
Evelyn looked up. "That's not necessary," she said. "I have plans tonight."
Matthew paused. "With whom?"
"Mrs. Gray," Evelyn said. "We made arrangements already. I've submitted a leave request—I'll be leaving early this afternoon."
Matthew was silent for several seconds. When had Evelyn gotten so close to the Gray family matriarch?