Back at the office, Remi clung to Evangeline’s arm with a cheeky grin. "I’m off the hook for overtime tonight, right?"

"Sure, but knowing the head designer’s work ethic, he’ll probably have you working until the end of time the moment you get back from maternity leave."

"Wait, seriously? He wouldn't."

Evangeline pursed her lips to hide a laugh. "You want to bet on that?"

You can delay the inevitable, but you can’t outrun it. Remi gritted her teeth. "Whatever. At least it isn't happening right now!"

Even during her trip, Remi hadn't stopped sketching, so jumping back into the workflow wasn't too jarring. Her mind remained razor-sharp, her pen scratching rhythmically against the paper. The assistant at the desk next to her watched, mesmerized.

"Wow, Remi, your hands are moving so fast they're blurring."

Remi glanced up, batting her eyelashes with a playful, wicked glint in her eyes. "Careful, darling. Don't fall for me—it never ends well."

The young girl’s face flushed apple-red, and she immediately looked down, shyly twisting the hem of her sweater.

Remi: *Note to self: tone down the flirting, you're going to give the kid a heart attack.*

She looked away, pretending she hadn't noticed, and buried herself back in her designs.

At five o'clock, Evangeline came to collect her. "Remi, I'm heading to pick up Jemma, then grabbing a bite. Want to join?"

Remi didn't even look up as she grabbed her bag and headed for the door. "Count me in. I’m starving."

"You’re acting like a fugitive," Evangeline teased. "What’s wrong? Is someone haunting you?"

Once they were clear of the department, Remi finally exhaled. "Man, I accidentally charmed the pants off that girl back there."

"And you panicked?"

Remi chuckled, looking sheepish. "I’m a flirt, sure, but I’m strictly into men. God, the things I get myself into."

Evangeline smirked. "You seem disappointed."

Remi reached out, hooking a finger under Evangeline’s chin with a suggestive wink. "Oh, absolutely. If I were into women, I’d have married you ages ago."

"Careful, don't play with fire. What if you actually turned me?"

"Then I’d be living the dream, wouldn't I?"

Evangeline pressed further. "And between me and Damian, who would be the 'husband' in that scenario?"

"Wait, Evangeline, are you actually playing along with this?"

"Scared?"

Remi puffed out her chest. "Scared? Please!"

Evangeline’s gaze turned sultry as she traced the line of Remi’s jaw. "Then why is your voice shaking? Hmm? You little flirt."

"Ugh, fine, you win! I’ll behave next time, I swear!" Remi grimaced, rubbing her arms as goosebumps erupted across her skin.

"Haha..."

A few paces away, Waylen Shaw’s expression looked like he’d just bitten into something rancid. His face was twisted into a knot of disbelief.

Waylen thought: *Report to the boss: The Lady is flirting with another woman again. Yes, it’s definitely happening. Please send backup.*

After picking up Jemma, the trio headed to a nearby dessert shop. The place was elegant and quiet, known for its dainty, exquisite confections—a favorite spot for Evangeline and Jemma to share quality time.

Jemma used her tiny spoon to scoop up a piece of strawberry mousse and held it out to Remi. "Auntie, this strawberry mousse is delicious."

Remi tasted the cream from the spoon and sighed in delight. "Wow, you’re right. Thanks, Jemma."

"How can you be this sweet, Jemma? You’re melting my heart."

"I like you, Auntie. You’re pretty."

Remi grabbed Evangeline’s hand and shook it excitedly. "Evangeline, tell me, what’s the secret formula for Jemma? How can a kid be this adorable?"

Evangeline smiled warmly at her daughter. "Probably a hundred percent love and a hundred percent patience."

"That’s amazing. I really want a daughter now."

"Auntie has a little brother in her tummy," Jemma chimed in, her head dipped low as she focused on her dessert. It sounded like a casual observation, but a chill went down Remi’s spine.

"Evangeline, how did Jemma know I was pregnant?"

Evangeline was equally stunned. "I have no idea. That’s… actually pretty eerie."

"My god, are you telling me that when science ends, the supernatural begins?"

"Hey, don't say that, it’s giving me goosebumps. She’s probably just trying to make you happy."

"Ms. Montgomery?"

Evangeline looked up to see a familiar face. "Raven?"

"Evangeline, is that a relative of yours?" Remi whispered. "She looks so much like you."

Raven offered a sad, thin smile. "No, I'm not."

Evangeline gestured to the empty seat beside Remi. "Are you alone? Why don't you join us?"

"No, thank you. I… I’m here for a blind date."

Raven lowered her gaze, her eyes losing their luster as she gripped her bag strap tightly.

"You are?"

"I’ve tried. It’s been three years. I think I’ve done enough for my own heart." She tried to force a smile, but it was painfully bitter.

"Raven, you…"

Evangeline swallowed the words of comfort she had prepared. Everyone knows the rational advice, but feelings are rarely rational. There was nothing more to say; Raven had to process this in her own time.

"Go on, then," Evangeline said softly.

"Right."

Remi watched the girl walk toward a corner table and sit down. She leaned in, whispering, "Who is she?"

Evangeline was staring blankly at her coffee, absentmindedly stirring it, and didn't hear her.

"Evangeline!" Remi’s voice spiked, snapping her back to reality.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Why are you zoning out? I asked who that girl was."

Evangeline’s mood dimmed. "She’s Benedict Alexander’s secretary. She’s been in love with him for three years. I guess she’s finally giving up."

"And why does that have you looking so miserable?"

"I just wanted Benedict to have a happy ending."

Remi took a sip of coffee, unimpressed. "The story isn't over until the final page, Evangeline. You’re getting sentimental way too early."

Evangeline’s eyes flickered. "You’re right. Who knows what the next chapter holds? You’ve always been the perceptive one, Remi."

As she spoke, she noticed a man walking toward the entrance and signaled for Remi to look behind her.

He was fair-skinned and slim, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a crisp, tailored suit. He walked with a steady, composed gait toward Raven’s table.

Evangeline muttered under her breath, "He’s handsome, but he’s still miles behind Benedict."

"Is Benedict that handsome?"

"Mhm, very! He looks about thirty or forty percent like Marcellus."

*Pfft!* Remi sprayed a mouthful of coffee, frantically grabbing napkins to wipe the table. "Haha… seriously, Evangeline, who are you even complimenting right now?"

"Hehe, both of them!"

The blind date ended quickly. Judging by the man’s stiff expression, it hadn't gone well.

Raven walked past, nodding at their table. "Ms. Montgomery, I’ll be going now."

"Of course. Take care."

Remi replayed the girl’s features in her mind. "Damn, she really does look like you."

"Auntie, my mommy has beautiful little dimples," Jemma piped up.

"Oh, you're right! Jemma, you’re such a sharp observer."

Jemma tilted her head, thinking for a moment. "And the beauty mark Daddy likes."

Hearing that, Remi leaned in to observe Evangeline’s face closely. The slightly upturned outer corners of her eyes matched with that iconic teardrop mole were incredibly alluring, yet the soft, graceful curve of her jaw and those dimples kept her looking innocent. The combination hit Remi with one word: *Siren.*

The girl, Raven, had almond eyes and a gentle temperament; she shared the same face shape and features, but the overall vibe was entirely different.

"Remi, have you only just met me?" Evangeline asked, crossing her arms with a cold, mocking grin.

Remi licked her lips, looking at her friend. "The more I look, the more beautiful you get. I can't look away."

"Remi! You’re doing it again, aren't you?"

"Oops! Sorry, sorry! Force of habit, you know! Haha..."

*Evangeline thought: Even with that innocent face, she still knows how to pull off that slick, oily charm. Honestly, it’s weirdly captivating.*