Inside the CEO's office at Alexander Corp, the air was heavy with unspoken tension.

"Sir, Jonah Harrison cornered Ms. Montgomery earlier," Preston Wright said, his voice steady as he reported to the man behind the massive desk.

Preston watched as the boss's aura shifted, growing sharper and more frigid by the second. He quickly added, "But Ms. Montgomery slapped him. It was... quite audible."

Marcellus Alexander’s expression smoothed into a faint, amused smirk. He thought to himself, *My little spitfire, well done.*

"Tell Waylen to give him a beating," Marcellus said, his tone chillingly casual. "Don't break any bones, just ensure he’s in enough agony that he can't get off the floor for a few days. And make sure he hears nothing from us."

"Understood." Preston bowed and exited the office.

Ever since Evangeline had left Elysian Estate, Waylen had been lurking in the shadows, acting as her silent protector. Marcellus was kept updated on her every move, having already deduced that her adoptive sister was nursing a traitorous heart. If she wanted to play this game, he would clear the path for her.

Wondering what mood she was in, Marcellus grabbed his phone and fired off a quick text.

Across town, Evangeline received the notification. A playful curve touched her lips. She suddenly felt an itch to tease him. He was supposed to be the ruthless, obsessive power player of the city—wouldn't the "standard" reaction be to drag her back to his side immediately? Seeing him act so obediently was almost... endearing. She couldn't help but feel a surge of affection as she replied.

Minutes later, Marcellus placed a call back to the Elysian Estate.

By noon, Evangeline arrived at the office. The staff didn't dare stop her. As she reached the door, she paused, watching Marcellus hunched over his desk, buried in work. She couldn't help but think: *There’s nothing more captivating than a man with a laser-focus.*

Sensing her gaze, Marcellus didn't even look up. "Why are you standing there like a statue?"

Evangeline strolled toward him, a playful lilt in her voice. "You didn't even glance up. How did you know it was me?"

Marcellus finally looked up, his eyes softening as they landed on her. "Who else would dare waltz in without knocking and then stare at me with such intensity?"

His gaze suddenly dropped, focusing on a jagged, red bruise on her forearm. His brow furrowed instantly. "How did you get that?" He pulled her into his lap, his grip firm but careful.

Evangeline felt a flicker of nerves. She knew exactly how possessive he could be. If he found out Jonah had grabbed her like this, there was no telling what kind of chaos he’d unleash. But lying to him was even more dangerous. After a moment of careful deliberation, she confessed, "Jonah grabbed me. He was begging for a reconciliation."

She watched him closely, bracing for the fallout.

Marcellus knew exactly how that mark had appeared; he had only been testing her to see if she would tell the truth. Her blunt honesty thrilled him.

"And did that make your heart soften, Evangeline?" Marcellus asked, his eyes dancing with a mix of amusement and scrutiny.

Evangeline swatted his chest, her voice breathless and teasing. "What are you talking about? I’m your girlfriend now. Why would I ever look back at another man?"

Marcellus hadn't expected such a direct confirmation. He had always been content just having her near, never daring to hope she would actually claim their relationship in words. His heart melted in his chest. He lowered his head, pressing a lingering kiss to her hair. "That’s right. You’re my girlfriend."

*Knock, knock, knock.*

The sudden intrusion shattered the intimacy of the room. Evangeline jolted, scrambling out of his lap as if she’d been burned.

Marcellus looked annoyed, his voice dropping an octave. "Enter!"

Preston stepped in, only to be met by a look so murderous he nearly withered on the spot. He wordlessly dropped a stack of premium food containers on the side table and vanished.

"Oh, look," Evangeline laughed, trying to break the tension. "Preston looks absolutely terrified of you! It’s kind of cute."

"Cute?"

She could sense the jealousy flaring up already. She quickly pivoted, grabbing the food containers. "Tell me, what are you feeding me today?"

As she laid out the spread, she gasped. "Wow! These are all my favorites!"

After settling in, she took a bite and her eyes lit up. "This is delicious! It tastes exactly like Helen's cooking."

"It is Helen's cooking," Marcellus replied.

He had called the estate to have everything arranged as soon as they spoke that morning.

"Oh! No wonder it smells so good. I’ve been craving this for days." She took a hearty bite, her cheeks puffing out adorably.

Marcellus watched her, his expression turning serious. "If you marry me, you’ll have Helen’s cooking every single day."

"Mmm-hmm!" Evangeline nodded, distracted by the food.

The confirmation hit Marcellus like a physical blow. He gripped her hand, his voice trembling slightly. "Evangeline... did you just agree?"

Hearing the tremor in his voice, she stopped and met his eyes, her expression resolute. "Yes. I will marry you."

The relief and sheer, unadulterated joy that washed over his face were blinding. He stood up, pulling her into an embrace so tight she could feel the frantic rhythm of his heart. They stayed like that for a long time, the silence between them filled with everything they didn't need to say.