Marcellus returned to the bedroom after showering to find Evangeline sprawled across the bed. She had lazily thrown on a silk camisole, one strap slipping down into her armpit.

*Knock, knock.*

"Young Master, your hangover soup is ready."

Marcellus opened the door, took the bowl, and walked to the bedside, nudging her gently. "Evangeline, wake up. Drink this, or you’ll have a splitting headache tomorrow."

Evangeline sat up, downed the soup in one go, shoved the bowl back at him, and collapsed into the pillows again. Marcellus finally realized what she was doing—the girl was playing turtle, hiding in her shell.

He set the bowl aside and climbed in behind her, wrapping his arms around the woman who was pretending to be dead to the world. "Evangeline, you still haven’t answered my question."

She kept her neck stiff and her eyes squeezed shut, refusing to make a sound.

"So, you’re asleep, are you? That makes it so much easier to... do whatever I want." He traced the outline of her jaw with his knuckle.

Evangeline’s eyes snapped open in alarm. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"Not sleeping anymore?"

"I'm... I'm awake now."

"Great. So, are you going to answer me?"

"What?" Evangeline feigned ignorance.

"Is my body not good enough for you?"

Evangeline glanced down at his bare chest and swallowed hard. "It's perfect!"

Her reaction satisfied him. As long as he still held that kind of sway over her, he was going to make damn sure this body of his was put to good use.

"And yet, you were drooling over some other guy's pecs earlier today."

"I was not! Truly! He was dressed like a public nuisance; I didn't mean to look at him!" Evangeline protested, her voice rising in urgency.

"Fine. I’ll let it slide this time. Go to sleep."

"I can't. I promised Mom I'd be back early."

"Evangeline Montgomery, do you really think I’m that easy to bargain with?"

Seeing the genuine flash of anger in his eyes—he’d even used her full name—she quickly wrapped her arms around his waist. "Marcellus, don't be like that. Mom knows I went out for drinks; if I don't come home at all, she’s going to panic."

Marcellus ground his teeth, then swung his legs out of bed to get dressed.

Seeing him move, Evangeline scrambled up, tossing on her clothes in a rush, terrified he might change his mind. The drive back was dead silent. Evangeline tried everything to sweet-talk him, but he remained a statue. In a moment of frustration, she leaned in and lightly bit his Adam's apple.

"Evangeline, if you keep acting up, I’m going to tell Wylder to turn the car around."

"Oh," she whispered. Hearing the strained, gravelly tone in his voice, she didn't dare push her luck again. "Hey, where’s Waylen? I haven't seen him in a while."

Wylder, who was listening through the rearview mirror, coughed awkwardly. "Uh, he... he went home for a blind date."

"Oh, well, that’s important, I suppose!"

Marcellus panicked internally, caught off guard by her sudden question. When they neared the Montgomery estate, Evangeline asked to be dropped off a block away.

"I’m sorry, Marcellus. I still can't have you dropping me off at the front gate."

Marcellus tapped his lips with a finger. "Then I’ll need some compensation."

Evangeline leaned over and planted a firm kiss on his mouth.

On the return trip, Marcellus spoke to Wylder. "Get Waylen back. Then you can go on your blind date."

"Wait—oh, right! Understood." Wylder caught the hint immediately.

The next morning, Remi Crawford woke up with a pounding head. As the memories returned, she grabbed her phone and dialed.

"Hello? Remi?"

Hearing the lazy, milk-drunk tone on the other end, Remi asked cautiously, "Evangeline, are you okay?" She clearly remembered Evangeline being carried off by some man, and she’d been sent home by a gigolo.

"I’m fine. My friend came to pick me up, and he had a friend take you home. Don't worry about it!"

"Oh! Oh, thank god. You scared me!"

"If that's all, I’m hanging up. I need more sleep."

"Fine, but come to the studio when you wake up. We have a lot of details to finalize."

"Got it."

Evangeline didn't roll out of bed until past ten. She headed downstairs. "Nancy, I'm starving."

"Anything in particular you'd like, Miss? I'll get it ready."

"Just a bowl of mini wontons."

"Coming right up. Take a seat."

Just then, Cassidy Montgomery walked in, carrying flowers she’d just clipped from the garden. Evangeline raised an eyebrow. *So casual.* She knew Cassidy was likely laughing internally, waiting for the Montgomery family to burn to the ground after the little schemes she’d pulled recently.

The two locked eyes. Neither spoke. *Ugh, can't even be bothered to play nice anymore? Little traitor.*

"Here’s your wontons. Careful, they're hot!"

Evangeline took a breath of the steam and her appetite flared. "Wow, smells amazing. Thanks, Nancy."

The warm broth settled her stomach. Alcohol was a dangerous game—fine for a sip, but a nightmare in excess. That afternoon, she and Remi buried themselves in work, refining the clothing line until the sun began to dip behind the horizon.

Evangeline stretched, her shoulders clicking. "Whew. Finally done."

"Now, we just sit back and see what happens."

They high-fived. Working with a kindred spirit was always a delight.

"Let’s order some drinks," Evangeline called out to the staff.

"I want milk tea."

"Same here."

"Good. Happiness demands something sweet!" Evangeline placed the order. "I’m telling you, this is a hidden gem of a shop. All original designs. Gorgeous stuff."

As a customer walked in, the clerk rushed over. "Welcome! How can I help you?"

Evangeline looked up and locked eyes with a familiar face. *Oh, look who it is.*

"What are you doing here? Do you work here?" Siena Spencer sneered, looking Evangeline up and down.

"Siena, do you know her?"

"Khloe, she’s the one—that little home-wrecker I told you about!" Siena looked at Evangeline with utter disgust.

Remi stepped forward, ready to snap back, but Evangeline held her hand, giving her a look that said, *I’ve got this.*

"Oh! Is she the one who’s been trying to snatch your boyfriend?"

The commotion drew the attention of other customers, who started shooting judgmental glares toward Evangeline.

"Two little girls, making wild accusations without a shred of proof?" Evangeline said, cool as ice.

"What? Can't handle the truth?"

"Why don't you tell me exactly who this 'boyfriend' of yours is?"

Siena faltered, not daring to say the name, so her friend Khloe stepped up. "Her boyfriend is Marcellus Alexander, the CEO of Alexander Corp!" she declared, chin held high.

Siena, though internally shaking, stood her ground, not wanting to look weak.

The surrounding crowd shifted instantly. Everyone in the city knew Marcellus Alexander. He was notorious for being untouchable; any woman who had tried to throw herself at him over the years had met a miserable end.

"Are you suffering from a delusion, or are you just stupid?" Evangeline asked, a mocking smile on her lips.

"You home-wrecking witch!" Siena lunged, her hand raised to strike.

Evangeline caught her wrist mid-air, squeezed, and shoved her away with a disgusted grunt. "I’m letting this slide solely out of respect for Damian Spencer! Get out, now!"

"Respect for my brother? You’re just terrified! Just you wait, I’m calling my brother to deal with you!" Siena stomped out with Khloe.

"Hello? Brother? I was just shopping and some clerk hit me! Get down here!" Siena wailed into her phone the moment she was outside.

"Are you causing trouble again?"

"No! Just get here, I sent you the location!"

When Damian arrived, he found his sister pouting, clutching her wrist. "Brother, look!"

Damian felt his temper flare. His sister might be spoiled, but people usually gave the Spencers a wide berth. To see her assaulted by a shop clerk was an insult he wouldn't tolerate. "Where is she?"

"I'll take you." Siena dragged him back into the store.

"That guy! It’s the gigolo!" Remi blurted out.

Evangeline looked at the door and nudged her, speechles. "Remi, don't be rude. This is the heir to the Spencer family."

Damian, having been called a 'gigolo', felt his face turn a dangerous shade of dark.

"Brother, that's her!" Siena pointed an accusatory finger at Evangeline.

Evangeline raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Dr. Spencer? Here to play the protective brother?"

"Ms. Montgomery, would you care to explain?"

"Your sister claims I stole her boyfriend and tried to slap me. I simply... didn't let her succeed," Evangeline said, calmly admiring her manicure.

Damian glared at Siena. "My apologies, Ms. Montgomery. Please forgive the intrusion."

"Brother! She hit me, and you're apologizing to her?!" Siena shrieked.

"Shut up! We’ll deal with this at home!" He dragged her toward the exit.

Siena broke free. "Why are you taking her side?!"

Damian gestured toward the storefront.

"Wylder? What’s he doing here?"

"Still don't get it? She’s Marcellus’s woman. Pray to god Wylder hasn't already reported today’s little stunt to him."

"Brother! Brother, you have to help me!" Siena grabbed his arm, terror finally sinking in.

"Scared now? I warned you before!" Damian yanked his arm away and walked off.