Chapter 225
No.1
"Beautiful, brilliant, unshakable under pressure." Lance propped his chin on his hand. "What did he do to deserve you carrying his child?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Unless… the child isn’t his?"
Evelyn smiled without answering.
"I see." Lance nodded slowly. "A mutually beneficial arrangement. But once the baby’s born and DNA tests—"
"That’s his problem to handle," Evelyn said lightly. "Meanwhile, you—the world is far more accepting of same-sex relationships now. Why the fear of exposure?"
Lance’s smile froze.
After a long pause, he gave a bitter laugh. "It’s Winston who wants to go public."
No.2
Lately, Winston had been deliberately affectionate with him in public, as if making a statement.
"Winston’s family… is complicated." Lance clenched his fists. "Some of his conservative elders are pressuring him to marry and have heirs. If his orientation gets out—"
His voice trailed off.
"But Winston is powerful enough now," Evelyn cut in. "He doesn’t need his family’s approval to rule Wall Street."
Lance blinked, startled.
"Today, I happened to intercept the evidence." Evelyn met his gaze squarely. "What about tomorrow? How long can you rely on luck?"
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, dusk slowly enveloped the city. Lance studied their reflections in the glass, genuinely considering the possibility of coming out for the first time.
No.3
"Besides, even if you resolve every crisis perfectly, secrets never stay buried forever. Your relationship with Winston will come to light eventually. Someone might even exploit it."
Evelyn spoke softly, "Instead of waiting for others to strike, take the initiative and end this threat permanently. This might be exactly what Winston wants."
Lance froze. After a long pause, he lowered his head, his voice barely audible. "Really? Is that what Winston thinks too?"
He fell silent again before murmuring, "Let me think about it. I'm... not ready yet."
Evelyn didn’t push further.
Lance handed her an elegant gift box. "These are skincare products specifically for pregnant women. If you like them, make Alexander buy more for you. Speaking of which, does he give you an allowance?"
Evelyn shook her head.
No.4
Lance stomped his foot in frustration. "Good heavens! What an absolute jerk! Listen to me, darling—never save men money. Take what you deserve!"
Evelyn smiled faintly. "I prefer to keep my distance from him."
She knew all too well the agony of being trapped in that kind of entanglement. The deeper the ties, the harder the escape—and the more it would shatter her.
Once was enough.
Lance stared at her, stunned. "You're far more clear-headed than I imagined."
Evelyn had just bid Lance farewell when a bodyguard blocked her path.
"Miss Sinclair, Mr. Strauss wishes to see you."
No.5
She hesitated briefly before nodding.
Winston’s suite was far from Lance’s.
When she had led Simon on their earlier detour, she’d passed this area without realizing these two seemingly unrelated men were actually lovers.
Winston stood with his back to her by the floor-to-ceiling window. His voice carried clearly. "I heard you helped Lance resolve a problem."
Evelyn didn’t answer immediately.
Silence was safest until she understood his intentions.
After a few seconds, Winston chuckled and turned around. "You’re quite an intriguing woman, Miss Sinclair."
No.6
"How so?" she countered.
He gestured for her to sit. "Alexander’s interest in you seems to go beyond mere utility. So why are you still so cautious?"
The abrupt shift in topic made her frown.
"Look at Lance," Winston poured her a glass of water. "Because of my indulgence, he’s willful and confident—even makes decisions for me. I assumed those who are cherished all act so boldly."
Evelyn laughed.
"You said it yourself, Mr. Strauss—those who are cherished."
She had never received Alexander’s affection.
No.7
Between them, aside from the child in her womb, there was nothing left. That marriage certificate couldn’t change the fact that they were already over.
Winston raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
When he’d mentioned Evelyn to Alexander earlier, he’d caught the flicker of something unusual in that notoriously detached man’s eyes.
Even with their contract, Evelyn was the woman Alexander had personally chosen.
He’d assumed someone as sharp as her would recognize that distinction and act accordingly.
Yet she carried herself like a single mother, wary of every step.
Winston shook his head, amused. "For someone like Alexander, even the smallest favor would make others grovel with gratitude, no?"