[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-235":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},235,21,"Chapter 21: Wearing the Midnight Stitches","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Siena? Didn't you say Marcellus was your boyfriend?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Siena Spencer kept her head down, offering no reply.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Are you kidding me? You used me to get to him?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, Khloe! I swear, my family is actually arranging for me to marry Marcellus.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Khloe Simpson rolled her eyes with venomous disdain. \"Don't ever call me again.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She stormed off, leaving Siena standing alone in the middle of the sidewalk. She gnashed her teeth. What did Evangeline Montgomery have besides a pretty face? She was just a glorified shop girl. Who did she think she was? And surely, Marcellus wouldn't actually do anything to me just because of her, would he?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With that delusional comfort, Siena headed home.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, you weren't lying when you said Marcellus was the one?\" Remi Crawford asked, eyes wide with gossip as they sat in their studio.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Exactly,\" Evangeline replied.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi gasped. \"So, he was the one who swept you away last night?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, if you’re being held hostage, blink twice!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline laughed, rolling her eyes at her best friend's dramatics. \"He’s fine, Remi. Don't worry about it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How can I not? The way he looked at you last night... he looked like he wanted to devour you, and—\" Remi stopped abruptly, her face heating up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And what?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Never mind. It’s just... you got caught by your boyfriend while hiring a male escort, didn't you?\" Remi covered her mouth, looking horrified.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline sighed. \"Don't remind me. I had to spend the whole night making it up to him.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How did you make it up to him? Do tell.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline looked at Remi, whose eyes were practically sparkling with illicit curiosity. She reached out and flicked her forehead. \"Remi, for the love of God, clear the trash out of your brain.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine, fine! If you won't tell, you won't tell.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The conversation shifted, but it planted a seed in Evangeline’s mind. Last night hadn't exactly ended with everything resolved. She decided she needed to get him a proper gift.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, I'm staying late at the studio tonight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Everything is already finished, isn't it? Have you got another spark of inspiration?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No, I’m going to hand-stitch a suit for him. Tonight.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wow, Evangeline. You’ve really fallen hard, haven’t you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Stop teasing. I’m heading up to the drafting table now. Order us some takeout when you're ready for dinner.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm staying with you. We'll order delivery.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Deal.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They had been partners since college, surviving countless sleepless nights together. Evangeline loved the rhythm of working with Remi, the way their designs came to life. There was nothing quite as cathartic as the exhaustion of a job well done.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Meanwhile, back at the Spencer residence, Jorge Spencer was losing his mind. \"Tell me! What the hell did you do?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Siena knelt on the carpet, trembling violently. Damian Spencer, her brother, sat on the sofa nearby, sipping his tea with detached, cold amusement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Speak!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Dad, I... I...\" Siena sobbed, unable to form a coherent sentence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She’s been running around town telling everyone she’s Marcellus Alexander’s girlfriend,\" Damian said, his voice smooth and effortless. \"She even went to his office today to flaunt it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jorge’s face turned a dangerous shade of purple. \"I’ve been courting that contract for over a month! We were supposed to sign the deal tomorrow, and I just got a call saying the whole thing is off. I dug into it, and the only reason is that the Alexander brat is sabotaging me! He left me one message: 'Keep your daughter on a leash.' You’re constantly causing trouble and wasting my time! Your allowance is cut for the next three months!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jorge pointed a shaking finger at his daughter, his rage leaving him gasping for air.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Dad, I’m sorry! I’ll go apologize to Marcellus!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't,\" Damian interrupted sharply. \"Don't go and make an even bigger fool of yourself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Brother, you're friends with him. Please, put in a good word for me...\" Siena begged.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Business is business, and Marcellus has his principles. You crossed a line he doesn't tolerate. The fact that he didn't ruin us completely is only because of whatever sliver of history we used to have.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jorge slumped back into the sofa, waving his hand dismissively. \"Get out of my sight. Go to your room and think about how stupid you’ve been.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Siena stumbled upstairs, tears streaming down her face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Son,\" Jorge murmured, looking at Damian. \"Is there really nothing you can do?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't bother. I’m not saying a word. I’ll find you another investor, but keep her under control. I don't know how she ended up so dim-witted.\" Damian stood up and walked out, his patience exhausted.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Deep into the night, the C&R Atelier was still glowing with light. Evangeline and Remi had been at it for five hours, their hands moving in a blur as they finished the fine details of the fabric.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, my hands feel so stiff. I'm moving like a snail.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We don't usually do the grunt work ourselves anymore, so it’s normal. Just keep the stitching precise.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Right. Thanks for sticking this out with me, Remi.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Less talking, more sewing!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"On it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning, when their shop assistant Jemma arrived, she gasped. \"Remi, Evangeline? You two have been here all night?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi, nursing dark circles under her eyes, gestured weakly. \"Jemma, please, go grab us two bacon and egg bagels and some iced lattes. We're dying.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"On it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Twenty minutes later, Jemma returned breathless. Evangeline devoured her breakfast, feeling the caffeine and grease finally bring her back to life. They spent the next two hours finishing the final lapels.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, you need to go sleep.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What about you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m delivering this before I crash.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You're obsessed! Sleep here, deliver it when you wake up.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I can't. I can't wait to see his face.\" Evangeline smiled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You're a total simp! Hopeless!\" Remi teased. She signaled to Jemma. \"Take her in the car. Don't let her drive in this state.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes, ma'am!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jemma dropped Evangeline off at the Alexander Corp tower. \"Evangeline, call me if you need a ride home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Will do. Get home safe.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When Evangeline reached the executive floor, Preston Wright jumped, nearly dropping his tablet. \"Ms. Montgomery? Did you get into a fight with a lawnmower?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is it that bad?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s certainly a look.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus, hearing the commotion, opened his office door. \"Come in.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline walked in with a lopsided smile. \"Hey, Marcellus.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man didn't look up from his desk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Still, silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus Alexander!\" Evangeline grumbled, feigning irritation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, he looked up, his gaze raking over her disheveled state. \"You look like you've been hollowed out by a pack of wild animals.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Right. He was still salty about last night.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline pouted, walking over to him. \"I’ve been trying to apologize. I haven't slept since yesterday—I made this for you by hand.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus froze. The irritation he’d felt all day over her silence vanished, replaced by a sudden, warmth in his chest. He pulled her onto his lap, his expression softening instantly. \"You don't have to work this hard. I'm very easy to appease.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you want to see if it fits?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine.\" He stood up, shrugging off his blazer.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline helped him into the new suit. She stepped back, eyes scanning the silhouette. The sharp, peaked lapels and the tailored fit accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, making him look untouchable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you like it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing the top of her hair. \"I love it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was genuinely touched. She had been worried about his mood, and she had spent her precious energy to make him a surprise. He realized he was hopelessly in love with this woman.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I haven't done much tailoring lately, so it might be a bit rough. I’ll make you much better ones in the future.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That’s fine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice sounded thick, almost choked with emotion, but Evangeline was too exhausted to analyze it.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus, I’m going to crash in your lounge for a bit. I’m dead on my feet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Go ahead.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once she was asleep, Marcellus turned to Preston. \"No one is to be let into this office for the rest of the day. Call me if the building is on fire, otherwise, stay out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Understood, sir.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272911559]