[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-244":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},244,30,"Chapter 30: He Followed Me to the Spa","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"When are you finally going to give me a title, Evangeline?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Pfft!\" Waylen, who was driving, couldn't hold it back. He choked on his own laughter.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m... I’m sorry, sir. Ha...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus shot him a glare that could kill. *Tch! He really doesn't have the situational awareness his brother Wylder has.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The romantic tension shattered. They sat in an awkward, heavy silence for the rest of the drive until they reached the C&R Atelier. Marcellus, reluctant to let her go, pulled her into his arms for one last tight squeeze.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Muah! Muah! Muah! Muah!*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline cupped his face, peppering him with rapid-fire kisses like a bird pecking at grain. Before he could react, she hopped out of the car and darted inside.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Whew.* The man was getting clingier by the day.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh ho! Back from your little date?\" Remi teased the moment she walked in.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't be jealous, Remi! Didn't I come back to pull an all-nighter with you? You’re still my number one!\" She flashed a heart gesture with her fingers and gave a playful wink.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wow! My heart just exploded,\" Remi joked, clutching her chest and pretending to collapse.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They dissolved into laughter, the mood light and easy. For the past few days, they had practically lived in the atelier. When inspiration struck, they wouldn't look up for ten, maybe twelve hours straight. They were physically wrecked, but their eyes remained sharp and hungry—the intoxicating rush of true passion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They slumped onto the couch in a messy heap, finally pausing for a breather. They locked eyes and burst out laughing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Look at us, we look like total hags,\" Evangeline chuckled. \"Seriously, these dark circles are out of control.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, we need to expand the team,\" Remi said, wiping her face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know. If we don't, we’re going to burn out before we even get off the ground.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'll have Jemma handle the recruitment. We need hands for production, pattern-making, and sourcing. We’ll handle the design team interviews ourselves.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Perfect.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With a plan in motion, things started running like clockwork. With the new staff settling in and productivity surging, the weight finally lifted from their shoulders.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A few days later, Evangeline received a call from her mother. As she listened, the expression on her face was one of cold, crystalline satisfaction. It was the look of someone watching an enemy finally get their due.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment the call ended, Remi stepped in and pulled her into a soft embrace. She didn't need to ask; she knew exactly who and what had triggered that look.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The verdict is in?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Five years,\" Evangeline whispered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She lifted her chin and drew a deep breath. A weight she hadn't realized she was carrying finally shattered. It felt incredible.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This was the closure she had been waiting for, across two lifetimes. From this day forward, Cassidy would be defined by public scorn and social exile. In this city, she would never find a place to stand again.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">What goes around comes around—no matter how high you think you’ve flown, you can’t escape the drop.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, we've been running on fumes for weeks. Let’s take the day off. We need to reset.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m in. How about a trip to the spa?\" Remi rolled her shoulders, feeling the knots of tension. \"My neck is practically fused at this point.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Done.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They packed their bags and headed straight for a luxury resort on the outskirts of the city. A sprawling, grand European-style estate greeted them, the entrance marked by massive, gilded letters. Beyond the gates, it was a hidden paradise: sports facilities, gourmet dining, and sprawling hot spring villas. Everything they needed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When they reached their suite, Remi let out a shriek of delight and threw herself onto the plush bed. \"Oh my god, Evangeline, I’m never leaving.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline laughed, watching her friend sprawl out like a starfish. \"Alright, princess. Go change. Let’s hit the pools.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You got it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline slipped into a simple black one-piece. It didn’t have any bells or whistles, but against her porcelain skin, it was striking. The suit hugged her curves perfectly, the dark fabric highlighting her alabaster glow. Remi’s eyes went wide.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Beauty! Give us a squeeze!\" Remi purred, moving in to nuzzle her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Get off, you weirdo!\" Evangeline pushed her friend's face away, blushing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"C'mon, let's go!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Wrapped in their robes, they walked down to the springs hand-in-hand. As they reached the edge of the pool, Remi dipped a toe in, letting out a long, blissed-out sigh. \"Get in, Evangeline! It’s heaven!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline shed her robe and waded into the water. Steam rose from the depths, curling into the cool air and turning the pool into a misty, ethereal dreamscape. The heat opened her pores, melting away the fatigue until her entire body felt like it was floating.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They lounged for half an hour until Remi grew thirsty.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm going to grab some fruit and drinks,\" Remi said, already climbing out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sure thing,\" Evangeline murmured, eyes closed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi tossed her robe over her shoulders and headed toward the refreshments area. She scanned the spread, her eyes landing on a pitcher of orange juice. She made a beeline for it, but wasn't looking at her path, slamming squarely into a hard, muscular chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!\" she stammered, rubbing her forehead.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ms. Crawford?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Recognizing the voice, Remi looked up. \"Oh. Mr. Spencer? What a surprise.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The impact had caused her robe to slip, baring her shoulders. Dressed in a bright dragon-fruit pink swimsuit, her skin looked flushed and dewy from the heat. Damian’s gaze flickered momentarily to the swell of her chest before he snapped his head away, clearly flustered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi quickly clutched her robe shut, her face burning crimson. She grabbed the juice and practically sprinted away.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian watched her go, a faint, amused smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Here, Evangeline,\" Remi said, handing her a glass, her mouth already running. \"I just ran into that creep Damian. He was totally staring!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline chuckled. \"Damian is usually so polished. I’m surprised he lost his cool.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Polished? You have no idea what happened last time...\" Remi launched into a rant about how Damian had insisted on driving her home.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline just smiled to herself. *Classic.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After the spa, they had a massage therapist come to their suite. By the time they were finished, every bone in their bodies felt like liquid. They lay there, too relaxed to move, until the sun dipped low and the room turned dim.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Then, Evangeline’s phone buzzed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hello? Marcellus?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Come out. We're going to eat.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I'm not at the studio. I’m at the resort with Remi, we’re at the spa.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Open the door.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wait, what?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline leaped off the bed, stunned. She padded to the door and peered through the peephole. Sure enough, that infuriatingly handsome face was standing right there in the hallway.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Marcellus!\" She threw the door open, launching herself into his arms and wrapping her hands around his lean waist. \"How are you here?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Damian told me where you were. So I came.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay... wait here. I just need to get changed with Remi and we'll be right out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He nodded, patient as ever.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, get up, we're going to dinner. Marcellus is waiting outside,\" Evangeline called back into the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ugh, your Mr. Alexander is so clingy! He actually chased you all the way here!\" Remi teased.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hmph! Just wait until you fall for someone. I’ll make sure to roast you twice as hard!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They laughed and hurried to get dressed. When they stepped out, Remi gave him a polite nod. \"Mr. Alexander.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Good evening, Ms. Crawford,\" he replied, his eyes never leaving Evangeline.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272911982]