[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-240":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},240,26,"Chapter 26: Coaxing the Cold-Blooded Heir","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Forget the eye candy, let's find something to eat. I’m literally starving!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline genuinely admired Remi’s energy; she was always vibrant, like a battery that never drained.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, alright. Let's grab some of those crispy pork sliders right here.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes! Honestly, anything will do!\" At this point, she’d eat anything just to keep her spirit from leaving her body.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ugh, I feel so blessed. Evangeline, I’m genuinely happy today.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline looked at her and laughed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline pushed open the door to her father’s office. \"Dad—!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The words died in her throat. She froze, stunned by the sight inside.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, come on in!\" Edward waved her over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Uh, Dad, if you have a guest, I can come back later,\" she said, sheepishly trying to retreat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just as the door began to swing shut, a voice cut through the air. \"Evangeline Montgomery.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, it’s been over a decade since you last saw him, right?\" Edward asked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A shiver of electricity crawled up Evangeline’s spine.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The atmosphere in the room felt suffocatingly bizarre.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Heh... heh... well, Mr. Alexander is also just as he was back then: handsome, debonair, charming, imposing, heartless, cold-blooded, and cutthroat...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline realized what she had just said and slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with panic.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward sensed the shift. The rumors were true—the Alexander heir was as volatile as they came.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Only when he was gone did Evangeline finally let out a ragged breath.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That kid is truly a strange one. He didn't scare you, did he?\" Edward grumbled, glancing at his daughter.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh, definitely,\" Evangeline agreed, still reeling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"By the way, what was he even here for?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Leland Alexander’s 80th birthday. He said he was in the neighborhood and decided to drop off the invitation himself,\" Edward explained.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh. I’m going, then.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"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.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Exactly!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As soon as she left the office, Evangeline dialed Marcellus. He picked up immediately.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hello? Miss Montgomery?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice was icy and detached. Evangeline blinked, completely lost.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*What is up with this guy now?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus, what’s wrong?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't believe we are quite familiar enough for such an intimate tone, Miss Montgomery.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Seriously?* Is he still hung up on that \"cold-blooded\" comment from five minutes ago?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She sighed and started the apology loop. \"I’m sorry, Marcellus, I was wrong!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wrong? And exactly where did Miss Montgomery go wrong?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I shouldn't have called you heartless, cold-blooded, and cutthroat...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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?*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When no reply came, Evangeline checked her screen. Still in the call. What was the silence for?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, do you find me embarrassing to be seen with?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Where is this coming from?* Evangeline was even more bewildered. \"What are you even talking about?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Whatever. Never mind. Goodbye.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus tossed his phone aside, his face a mask of irritation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When Marcellus returned to his office, he sat behind his desk, brooding.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Miss Montgomery, the CEO is... not in the best of moods.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline gave Preston a reassuring look and marched inside.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus didn't even look up as she entered. \"To what do I owe the pleasure, Miss Montgomery?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus’s heart skipped a beat. He tried to look away, his voice still frigid. \"Miss Montgomery...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When she pulled back, she traced the line of his lower lip with her thumb, her eyes shimmering with affection.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My love,\" she whispered, her voice like velvet, \"stop using that cold tone with me. It hurts.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">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.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272911875]