"Wow, it’s so lively here! And look at all the handsome men and gorgeous women—it’s a feast for the eyes!" Remi exclaimed, eyes darting across the bustling street market.

"Forget the eye candy, let's find something to eat. I’m literally starving!"

Evangeline genuinely admired Remi’s energy; she was always vibrant, like a battery that never drained.

"Alright, alright. Let's grab some of those crispy pork sliders right here."

"Yes! Honestly, anything will do!" At this point, she’d eat anything just to keep her spirit from leaving her body.

Moments later, the steaming sliders hit the table. They both took a deep inhale, mouths watering instantly. Evangeline didn't hesitate to take a massive bite. "Mmm, that’s the one. Crispy, savory, and smothered in that signature sauce—better than any five-star dinner."

"Ugh, I feel so blessed. Evangeline, I’m genuinely happy today."

Evangeline looked at her and laughed.

It was true. Ever since her rebirth, there had been a massive weight pressing against her chest. Now that the stone had finally been rolled away, she could finally breathe again. It felt good.

They feasted on everything in sight, while Wylder couldn't help but buy a braised pork knuckle, gnawing on it as he followed a few paces behind.

They didn't part ways until the sky was pitch black. Exhausted, Evangeline crashed as soon as she hit her bed, sleeping without a single dream until nine the next morning. She let out a long, luxurious stretch. "Ugh, finally."

After a quick morning routine, she drove to Montgomery Enterprises. Even though the immediate crisis was over, she had promised her father she would learn the ropes. If she just stopped showing up after a few days, wouldn’t everyone think she was a complete flake?

Stepping into the lobby, she noticed the shift. From the receptionist to the staff in the hallway, and all the way to the executive suite, the gazes tracking her weren't the same. There was admiration, curiosity, even a hint of fear.

From now on, nobody would dare call the heiress a brainless trophy. She had played her hand with foresight and tactical precision. Her recent actions hadn't cost the company a dime, and her reputation for meticulous, cutthroat efficiency was already rippling through the industry.

Evangeline pushed open the door to her father’s office. "Dad—!"

The words died in her throat. She froze, stunned by the sight inside.

"Evangeline, come on in!" Edward waved her over.

"Uh, Dad, if you have a guest, I can come back later," she said, sheepishly trying to retreat.

Just as the door began to swing shut, a voice cut through the air. "Evangeline Montgomery."

She stood in the doorway, eyes squeezed shut, her face contorted in a silent grimace. She took a breath, constructed a professional mask, and pushed the door back open with a beaming smile. "Good morning, Mr. Alexander."

"Evangeline, it’s been over a decade since you last saw him, right?" Edward asked.

"Indeed. Little Evangeline is just as beautiful and adorable as she was when she was a child," Marcellus said, his voice laced with a lazy, mocking drawl as he stared her down.

A shiver of electricity crawled up Evangeline’s spine.

The atmosphere in the room felt suffocatingly bizarre.

"Heh... heh... well, Mr. Alexander is also just as he was back then: handsome, debonair, charming, imposing, heartless, cold-blooded, and cutthroat..."

Edward blinked at his daughter, horrified as her description spiraled into complete insanity. He grabbed her arm. "Evangeline! Don't be rude!" He turned to Marcellus, forcing a laugh. "My apologies, Mr. Alexander."

Evangeline realized what she had just said and slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with panic.

Marcellus watched her struggle with her own awkwardness, and his mood plummeted. She hadn’t even thought to introduce him to her family as her partner. The realization made his expression turn to stone.

Edward sensed the shift. The rumors were true—the Alexander heir was as volatile as they came.

Marcellus stood up. "Mr. Montgomery, the invitation has been delivered. I won’t overstay my welcome. Good day." He didn't even glance at Evangeline as he brushed past her, walking straight out.

Only when he was gone did Evangeline finally let out a ragged breath.

"That kid is truly a strange one. He didn't scare you, did he?" Edward grumbled, glancing at his daughter.

"Oh, definitely," Evangeline agreed, still reeling.

"By the way, what was he even here for?"

"Leland Alexander’s 80th birthday. He said he was in the neighborhood and decided to drop off the invitation himself," Edward explained.

"Oh. I’m going, then."

"You? You want to...?" Edward hesitated. He was worried she’d be triggered by memories of that incident when she was a kid, but then he thought, *it's been so many years, she must have moved on by now.* He nodded slowly. "Fine. You always were the old man’s favorite as a child."

"Exactly!"

As soon as she left the office, Evangeline dialed Marcellus. He picked up immediately.

"Hello? Miss Montgomery?"

His voice was icy and detached. Evangeline blinked, completely lost.

*What is up with this guy now?*

"Marcellus, what’s wrong?"

"I don't believe we are quite familiar enough for such an intimate tone, Miss Montgomery."

*Seriously?* Is he still hung up on that "cold-blooded" comment from five minutes ago?

She sighed and started the apology loop. "I’m sorry, Marcellus, I was wrong!"

"Wrong? And exactly where did Miss Montgomery go wrong?"

"I shouldn't have called you heartless, cold-blooded, and cutthroat..."

On the other end of the line, Marcellus furrowed his brow, struggling to keep his temper in check. *Does this girl have no idea, or is she playing dumb?*

When no reply came, Evangeline checked her screen. Still in the call. What was the silence for?

"Marcellus?"

"Evangeline, do you find me embarrassing to be seen with?"

*Where is this coming from?* Evangeline was even more bewildered. "What are you even talking about?"

"Whatever. Never mind. Goodbye."

Marcellus tossed his phone aside, his face a mask of irritation.

Waylen, watching through the rearview mirror, bit his lip so hard he almost drew blood to keep from laughing. His boss looked like a jilted, whiny bride. Waylen had to mentally list every tragic moment of his life just to keep his expression neutral.

Meanwhile, Evangeline was still trying to decode the man’s cryptic baggage. *Who says women are complicated? This man’s mind is a labyrinth.* She decided to stop guessing and went straight to Alexander Corp.

When Marcellus returned to his office, he sat behind his desk, brooding.

Preston, his assistant, was sweating bullets. The CEO looked like a kicked puppy, work was piling up like a mountain, and no one dared to breathe near him. When Preston spotted Evangeline walking toward the office, his eyes lit up. *Finally, the animal tamer is here.*

"Miss Montgomery, the CEO is... not in the best of moods."

"I know."

Evangeline gave Preston a reassuring look and marched inside.

Marcellus didn't even look up as she entered. "To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Montgomery?"

Evangeline didn't waste a second. She walked straight to his desk, spun his chair around, and climbed right onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck, staring directly into his eyes.

Marcellus’s heart skipped a beat. He tried to look away, his voice still frigid. "Miss Montgomery..."

She didn't let him finish. She pulled his head down and captured his lips in a sweet, searing kiss. Her tongue flicked against his, a dance of practiced, heated intimacy.

When she pulled back, she traced the line of his lower lip with her thumb, her eyes shimmering with affection.

"My love," she whispered, her voice like velvet, "stop using that cold tone with me. It hurts."

Her voice was like a spring breeze, dissolving his armor. All the bitterness, the jealousy, and the insecurity evaporated instantly. Marcellus felt his entire world right itself.