Chapter 103

"Why would you play the ukulele for them, then?"

Evelyn pressed her lips together. "You think I wanted to perform for them? Some of the girls accused me of having an affair with the dean. It caused a huge scandal on campus. The only way they'd apologize was if I played, so I had no choice! I respect the dean too much to let his reputation be ruined."

Nathaniel studied her intently before suddenly leaning closer. "Why didn't you just tell them about me?"

Evelyn's breath hitched when his impossibly handsome face invaded her personal space. Every angle of his features was perfection. Her pulse raced as she thought, 'What is he doing?!'

"Ahem! Tell them what exactly?"

Nathaniel's enigmatic eyes seemed to pull her into their depths. He leaned even closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "That I'm not some sugar daddy but your husband."

The word 'husband' spoken so close to her ear made Evelyn's heart stutter.

When she regained her composure, Evelyn rolled her eyes dramatically. "No way! I don't want anyone knowing I got married so young. I still want to have a real wedding someday with someone I actually love!"

Hearing her talk about marrying someone she 'actually loved', Nathaniel's expression remained neutral but a shadow crossed his features. He smirked. "Is that so? I'd like to see who'd be brave enough to marry someone like you."

Evelyn bristled. "What's that supposed to mean? What's wrong with me?"

Nathaniel's gaze turned intense. "You're the kind of woman who grabs random strangers off the street and kisses them. What does that say about you?"

Evelyn huffed. "I told you, that was an accid—"

The car jerked to a sudden stop. The momentum threw them forward—their lips brushing briefly in the chaos.

Nathaniel's pupils dilated as he immediately pulled back. "My apologies." It clearly hadn't been intentional.

Evelyn's cheeks burned. She wanted to yell at him but found she couldn't.

It was doubly awkward because she'd just been insisting their first kiss was accidental. Now this? She couldn't keep claiming accidents without sounding ridiculous.

Defeated, she stayed silent, pushing Nathaniel away. She wiped her mouth roughly with her sleeve before turning to lower the window, letting the evening air cool her flushed face. She stared resolutely at the passing scenery, pretending nothing happened.

Her profile was delicate—thick lashes framing her eyes, cheeks still holding traces of baby fat. The wind played with her hair, but her ears remained stubbornly pink from the incident.

Nathaniel found himself staring longer than intended.

The car stopped completely. The driver returned after checking the situation. "Sir, there's been an accident ahead. We won't be moving anytime soon."

Traffic jams—the bane of every commuter.

Nathaniel was rubbing his temples when the car door opened. Evelyn was already stepping out.

"Where are you going?"

"There's a train station ahead. I'll take the train back." She walked off without waiting for a response.

Being stuck in traffic with Nathaniel was torture she'd rather avoid.

Nathaniel's brow furrowed. After a beat, he exited the car too.

Lucas, his assistant, moved to follow but Nathaniel stopped him with a command. "You're dismissed for the day."

Lucas hesitated but complied. "Yes, sir..."

Watching Nathaniel follow Evelyn, Lucas worried. Nathaniel had never taken public transportation before.

And what exactly were his intentions toward Evelyn?

Near the train station, traffic was even worse.

In a luxury SUV stuck in the gridlock sat Cassandra and her parents, returning home after celebrating her new contract with Holden Group's entertainment division.

Today marked her official signing. Along with a company car, they'd promised her unlimited resources.

Cassandra envisioned her future as an international superstar. Only this traffic jam dampened her mood.

Leaning out the window to check the road, she spotted Evelyn crossing the street with a tall man.

"Mom! Dad! Isn't that Evelyn? Why's she with some man so late at night?"