Chapter 51

"Lover?"

Evelyn Whitmore froze. After a moment, understanding dawned, and she nearly laughed out loud. "Oh, I wouldn't know. His wife might have something to say about that!"

Edward Whitmore smirked, arrogance dripping from his tone. "Exactly! If you want me to keep quiet, you'd better convince Mister Nathaniel to partner with Alpha Enterprises!"

Evelyn sighed, exasperated. "Mister Edward, it's not that I don't want to help. But I can't. Like you said, I'm just his lover. Do you really think I have any influence over his business decisions?"

Edward's grin turned sleazy, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, come on. Women like you have your ways. Make him happy in bed, and he’ll give you anything you want."

Disgust twisted Evelyn’s stomach. She scoffed. "Sounds like you should try it. See if he listens to you when you're the one pleasing him."

Edward’s face darkened. "Evelyn Whitmore! Don’t act all innocent with me! I saw the state of your clothes in his car! You think being young and pretty makes you special? This is your last chance—help me, or else!"

The sheer audacity of him demanding favors while threatening her was almost comical.

Evelyn didn’t flinch. She calmly speared a bite of dessert with her fork. "Sorry. Not happening."

"You ungrateful little—!" Edward slammed his hand on the table and raised his arm to strike—

"Shouldn’t a man your age know better than to hit a woman?"

A smooth, amused voice cut through the tension. A strong hand caught Edward’s wrist mid-swing.

Edward whirled to face the intruder. "Who the hell are you? Mind your own damn business!"

The stranger smirked. "I’m her friend. And you’re not laying a finger on her while I’m here."

Edward was no match—physically or in presence. He yanked his arm back, glowering at Evelyn. "Well, well. Looks like you’ve got another man wrapped around your finger. No wonder Nathaniel keeps you around. But mark my words—you’ll regret this!"

With a final glare, he stormed out.

Evelyn barely spared him a glance, returning to her dessert like nothing had happened.

The man pulled out the chair opposite her, sitting with effortless grace. His grin was all charm. "Fancy meeting you again. Mind if I join you?"

She recognized him—the ridiculously handsome guy who’d tried to flirt with her at Twilight.

"Yes, I mind."

He laughed, undeterred. "That’s how you treat your rescuer?"

Evelyn arched a brow. "You mistook interfering for helping."

Even if he hadn’t stepped in, she’d have jammed her fork into Edward’s hand before he could touch her.

The man leaned forward, eyes gleaming with interest. "You’re fascinating. I’m Christopher Ashford. Let’s be friends."

Evelyn didn’t blink. "Do you want friendship, or are you just angling to get me into bed?"

Christopher’s grin widened. "Can’t it be both?"