Chapter 163

Evelyn's heart pounded as she delivered a sharp slap to the man's face, desperate to break free. The moment she heard the others had left, relief flooded through her.

Then her phone buzzed again—another call from Sebastian.

She gritted her teeth and answered.

Sebastian's voice dripped with exaggerated drama, as if he were auditioning for a soap opera. "Miss Evelyn! Tell me it isn’t true! Some guy just said you're married, but I refuse to believe him! You wouldn’t—"

"Cut the act!" Evelyn snapped. "It's me."

A brief silence followed before Sebastian dropped the theatrics, chuckling. "So, boss. How’d it go?"

"How did what go?"

"Did Nathaniel get jealous? Did you two finally—"

Evelyn’s patience snapped. "Stop. This isn’t a game. I told you—this arrangement lasts three months, nothing more."

Even as she said it, her stomach twisted. She couldn’t shake the memory of Nathaniel’s lips on hers—unexpected, uninvited.

This wasn’t their first kiss.

The first time, she’d grabbed him in front of a sleazy suitor her stepmother had forced on her. A calculated move.

The second time, in Starlight Lounge, she’d lost a stupid bet and had to kiss someone she knew. Nathaniel had stepped in, refusing to let her kiss anyone else—for appearances, he’d claimed.

But this time? No excuse. No audience. Just him, acting on impulse.

He’d made it clear—anything but feelings. So what did that make her? A toy?

Disgusted, she wiped her mouth.

Sebastian, oblivious, kept talking. "Honestly, Nathaniel’s not bad. Older, sure, but loaded, influential, and scandal-free. Why not make this marriage real?"

"Because he’s in love with someone else," Evelyn hissed. "And I’m not interested in being his consolation prize."

Sebastian gasped dramatically. "Damn. So he’s a player?"

"I don’t care what he is," Evelyn said coldly. "Two months and seven days. Then we’re done." She exhaled sharply. "Actually, you called at the perfect time. I need a favor."

Sebastian switched to business mode instantly. "Name it."

Evelyn laid out her plan.

"Consider it done," he said before hanging up.

No sooner had the call ended than her phone rang again—Cassandra.

Evelyn braced herself before answering.

"What the hell, Evelyn?!" Cassandra shrieked. "Why is your phone off during work hours?!"

Evelyn massaged her temples. "I was on another call. What do you need?"

"Who said you could take personal calls on company time?!" Cassandra snarled. "Get your ass to my office. Now."