Chapter 545

No.1

Lance's voice carried through the door. "Lord Alex, Mr. Strauss is asking when you'll join him."

Alexander studied Evelyn's tense lips—then smiled.

"Tell Winston," he called back, "his interviewer is unavailable today."

Before Evelyn could finish speaking, she ignored Alexander's warning glare and stared directly at the elegantly seated woman inside.

Evelyn's posture was impeccable, her demeanor graceful.

But her mind was in turmoil.

She had assumed the scenario would play out like this:

No.2

Alexander asked her to lunch, got rejected, and then invited Winston instead.

But Lance's sudden appearance shattered that assumption.

So whether she agreed or not, Alexander would have dined with Winston anyway?

That meant his earlier invitation was nothing but a trap!

"Hold on." Alexander unceremoniously shut the door.

He turned back to Evelyn, lowering his voice. "Stay away from Lance."

Evelyn blinked. "What?"

No.3

......

"And who is this?"

Winston's gaze settled on Evelyn, though his question was directed at Alexander.

"Reporter Sinclair," Alexander answered first.

Lance eyed the two sitting shoulder-to-shoulder and raised a brow. "Just a reporter?"

Earlier, when Evelyn tried to create distance, Alexander had the waiter remove the extra chair.

Winston smirked meaningfully. "Interesting. I never thought Alex actually liked women."

No.4

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.

She couldn't help but glance at Alexander.

His expression was icy, completely ignoring the teasing.

Lance fanned the flames. "Lord Alex never gets close to women. The whole circle thinks he prefers men. Didn't you know, Reporter Sinclair? We've known him for four or five years—only male assistants around him."

"Four or five years..."

Evelyn chuckled lightly. "That is a long time."

Then what did that make her, his invisible girlfriend?

No.5

"How long have you two been together?" Lance pressed eagerly.

"Less than a month," Evelyn replied coolly.

From their marriage date, that was technically true.

Winston and Lance exchanged a look.

"Reporter Sinclair," Lance suddenly softened his tone, "you want to interview Mr. Strauss?"

The abrupt gentleness sent a chill down Evelyn's spine.

She nodded.

No.6

Lance smiled wider. "But you know our conditions, right?"

Evelyn suppressed her discomfort. "That's what I intended to discuss with you."

"Order." Alexander tossed the menu between them. "If we're eating, then eat properly. Think of the baby."

The statement made even Winston hold his breath.

Alexander shot Lance a cold look. "No talking during meals."

Lance nearly choked.

Weren't they supposed to negotiate?

No.7

Double standards!

......

The moment Evelyn left for the restroom, Lance immediately lowered his voice. "Lord Alex! You're in a sham marriage?"

Alexander frowned. "What sham marriage?"

"Stop pretending!" Lance looked pained. "Fine, you like men—but tricking someone into marriage? How could you do this to Reporter Sinclair and your boyfriends?"

Alexander: "......"