Chapter 146

Victoria's questions came from a place of genuine concern, so Evelyn didn't mind letting her finish. Still, she couldn't bring herself to reveal the truth about her relationship with Alexander just yet. That was a secret she had to keep—for now. She silently promised herself she'd make it up to Victoria someday.

"Don't worry," Evelyn said, carefully choosing her words. "My friend isn’t from here. He’s just visiting for business, so we arranged to meet up." She hesitated before adding, "We had to schedule it late because of his availability. Both of us were swamped with work during the day."

The excuse sounded flimsy even to her own ears, but it was still better than admitting she'd gotten lost on her nighttime jog. Victoria nodded slowly, but then her eyes widened in realization. "Wait—your friend is a man?"

Evelyn didn’t answer, but her expression gave her away.

Victoria gasped. "Is he your boyfriend?"

Evelyn bit her lip. "I guess?" Technically, he’s my husband, but ‘boyfriend’ isn’t entirely wrong. It’s just… a few steps behind.

"Oh!" Victoria exhaled dramatically, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction. "Why do you look relieved that I have a boyfriend?"

Victoria grinned like a proud mother whose daughter had finally brought someone home. "Because if you’re seeing someone, then you probably wouldn’t—" She cut herself off abruptly.

The hesitation in her voice reminded Evelyn of yesterday’s unfinished conversation. Victoria had done the same thing then—started a sentence and trailed off as if the topic was too delicate. At the time, Evelyn hadn’t pressed her, but now, curiosity got the better of her. "Wouldn’t what?"

"Forget it," Victoria said quickly, waving a hand. "It’s just baseless gossip." She looked embarrassed, as if she regretted ever entertaining the rumors.

But Evelyn could guess exactly what she’d been about to say. "You mean people think I only got into Phoenix Labs because I have connections with someone in management, right?"

Victoria’s eyes widened. "N-No! I didn’t say that!"

Evelyn smiled faintly. "I know you didn’t. But that’s what everyone else is whispering, isn’t it?"

Victoria sighed. "Not everyone." Since the topic was out in the open, she stopped dodging it. "Mr. Preston told me we had to keep you at Phoenix Labs, but the rest of the team doesn’t know why. I’ve seen your talent firsthand now, but… I’ll be honest. At first, I assumed you got in through connections."

Evelyn listened quietly, her expression unreadable. She understood why people would think that. It was exactly why she didn’t want her relationship with Alexander public. She needed to prove herself—not as Alexander Kensington’s wife, but as Evelyn Carter, a perfumer who earned her place through skill alone.

Victoria continued, "But I don’t think your connections are with anyone at Phoenix Labs. Mr. Preston is the highest authority here, and there’s clearly nothing between you two. My guess? You know someone at Celestia Group. That’s the only reason he’d protect you like this."

Evelyn’s breath caught. She hadn’t expected Victoria to piece it together so accurately.