Chapter 250

Evelyn turned to see Roman curled at his workstation like a wounded animal.

His silence was deafening.

She swallowed her questions. This was private. She'd only helped because his proposal had been exceptional.

During the car incident, Roman had maintained his dignity despite desperation.

At 1 PM, Xavier announced with smug triumph that his proposal had been approved.

"Brilliant, boss!" Wendy clapped obsequiously.

"What's the project? Are we traveling?" someone asked eagerly.

"Intangible Cultural Heritage." Xavier's gaze lingered on Roman. "All hands on deck. Pack tonight—we leave tomorrow."

He singled out Roman. "Prove yourself. Your probation depends on this."

Roman kept his head down.

Muffled snickers filled the office.

Everyone knew. The proposal was Roman's work, stolen by Xavier.

Even Evelyn, the newcomer, understood now.

How many others pretended not to see?

Evelyn couldn't have leaked it. That meant his only friendly coworker was Xavier's spy.

Forced to execute his own stolen idea while fighting for his job.

Xavier's cruelty knew no bounds.

At day's end, only Evelyn and Roman remained.

Passing his desk, she paused inexplicably. His isolation tugged at her.

"Still working?"

"N-no..." He fumbled with papers.

"Walk out together?"

Despair clung to him. She feared leaving him alone.

Roman looked up, stunned.

"Come on." Evelyn sighed.

He scrambled up. "But your husband—"

The mere memory of Alexander's glare made him shudder.

"He's away." Her smile was thin.

Rarely did she lie. Her earlier claims about her marriage had been true.

She and Alexander were strangers sharing a home.

Past experience taught her—after intimacy, he always disappeared. Even during her love-struck days, she'd wondered if she was just a receptacle.

Her departure had briefly changed him.

Now...

Evelyn almost laughed.

One month into marriage, old patterns returned. A relationship sustained only by her "escape" was meaningless.

Fortunately, she'd never intended to return. Her temporary compromise was because...

Her gaze flickered to her abdomen.

Soon.

A few fleeting months. Once the baby arrived safely, she'd vanish completely.

Outside, Roman froze. "Evelyn—"

Julian's car idled at the curb, his profile obscured by cigarette smoke.

He seemed not to notice her.

"Let's go," Evelyn said.

Nathan rolled down the window, offering a polite smile.

Alexander hadn't come. Even the annoying Ethan was absent. Sending Nathan was overkill.

"Madam, your car." Nathan opened the door.

Evelyn glanced at Roman.

"Another vehicle for the gentleman." Nathan signaled a discreet sedan.

Roman looked to Evelyn helplessly.

"It's fine." She reassured him. "Prepare well. What's yours will return."

Roman stilled.

Her quiet words held inexplicable power. He nodded solemnly. "Thank you. I will."

Betrayal and humiliation had been his constant companions.

Evelyn was the first light in his darkness.

As their car pulled away, Evelyn noticed Julian's vehicle hadn't moved.

The interior was completely veiled in smoke.