Chapter 52

Nathan Sterling's jaw tightened at his friend's sharp words. He assumed Gregory Hammond was just bitter about losing their earlier bet.

"I don't have time to deal with that kind of woman. Gold-diggers like her should be avoided at all costs."

"Is that so?" Evelyn Carter's icy voice sliced through the air directly behind Gregory, making him jump.

He whirled around, nearly stumbling. "Do you always sneak up on people like some kind of ghost?"

"Since I'm right here, why don't you say it to my face?"

Evelyn stood with arms crossed, her piercing gaze making Gregory shrink back. She'd clearly heard every word of his insulting remarks.

Nathan remained silent, though his eyes kept flickering toward Evelyn against his will. An unfamiliar tightness gripped his chest.

"Please, I'd never be interested in someone like you. Go find some other rich fool to leech off of," Gregory scoffed, waving his hand dismissively.

The click of designer heels echoed as Evelyn advanced, her commanding presence forcing Gregory backward.

"Has anyone ever mentioned you sound exactly like a fishwife when you gossip?"

Gregory's face turned crimson. "You! You keep clinging to my best friend after your divorce and ruined his business deal!"

"I've met dozens of scheming women like you. How dare you mock me? Ridiculous!"

Just then, a janitor pushed a cleaning cart past them.

Without hesitation, Evelyn grabbed a bucket of filthy mop water and flung its contents over Gregory's pristine white suit.

The expensive fabric turned transparent, clinging to his body in the most humiliating way possible. He scrambled to cover himself, looking more ridiculous by the second.

"Evelyn Carter! Have you lost your mind?" he shrieked.

"Is this what you expect from a gold-digger?" Evelyn pulled out a checkbook from her Chanel bag.

"Name your price. Consider it compensation for both your ruined outfit and wounded pride."

"Next time I hear you slander me, it won't be dirty water I throw at you." Her stilettos clicked decisively as she walked away.

Gregory stared at the blank check bearing only Evelyn's elegant signature.

Turning to Nathan, he spluttered, "Is she insane? How am I supposed to leave looking like this?"

Nathan's voice was glacial. "You brought this on yourself."

He shrugged off his jacket and threw it at Gregory's face before striding away.

"Hey! You can't just leave me like this!" Gregory yelled after them, struggling to wrap the jacket around his waist.

Back in her office, Evelyn reviewed the investment department's recent reports.

Since Adrian Prescott joined, their returns had increased dramatically. Keeping him at Kingsley Industries had clearly been the right decision.

Adrian had always possessed an uncanny instinct for venture capital. At fifteen, he'd already made waves on Wall Street before his father forced him into corporate management.

After finishing her review, Evelyn prepared to leave for the day.

The moment she stepped outside, a gleaming red Ferrari screeched to a halt before her.

Adrian emerged, this time holding an exquisite velvet box instead of his usual roses.

His trademark smirk played across his lips as he bowed dramatically. "My lady, fate brings us together again."