Chapter 4 Come to My Side?

The atmosphere became a bit tense. Evelyn didn’t want to mix business with personal feelings, especially with someone as unpredictable as Brian. Holding the IOU, her heart raced uncontrollably. “This is different. I don’t see us having that kind of relationship. Please accept my IOU.” “What kind of relationship?” Brian’s gaze was locked on her as he leaned forward, his body exuding aggression, and pulled out the chair beside him. “Tell me. If it matches what I think, I’ll accept the IOU, ha.” Eric covered his forehead. “Should I leave? Give you two some privacy? Can you consider the single guy here when you’re flirting?” “No need.” “No need!” Compared to Brian’s calmness, Evelyn appeared somewhat flustered and angry. Ignoring his invitation, she sat across from him. “Of course, it's... a partnership. Your businesses are in Central America and along the Sicilian coast. You want to transform those gray and black industries but don’t know where to start. You need a few reliable partners, right?” Eric instinctively looked at Brian. In his impression, the little princess of the Elizabeth family should only know how to indulge and shop, but she actually understood this, which made him see her in a new light. Brian’s deep eyes darkened as he looked at Evelyn more seriously. “Esteemed lady, I give you jewelry and support, yet you repay me with slander and... ungratefulness?” “Exactly! Be careful, or we’ll send you a lawyer’s letter!” Eric chimed in. She folded her hands, resting her chin on them. “If I intended to do that, I would’ve told dear Damon all about this. He’d definitely be interested. But I didn’t. Instead, I foolishly brought an IOU to you.” “You should see my sincerity. I don’t want toys. I want the right to stand by your side, like Mr. Eric.” Without thinking, Eric stood up excitedly. “No! I disagree. This isn’t the Elizabeth Group, where you can do whatever you want...” Brian’s calm, hoarse voice interrupted him, “I agree. But will your dear Damon allow you to come to my side?” “Brian! We don’t even know what she can bring. How can you just agree?” He smiled slightly, his tone seductive. “I only need her presence.” Evelyn didn’t catch the deeper meaning of his words and hesitated for a moment. “As you can see, my marriage with him won’t last long. Even if this damned marriage doesn’t end smoothly, I won’t care about his thoughts anymore.” “Compared to unreliable romantic relationships, I prefer partners bound by mutual interests. And you’re a good choice.” She pushed the IOU over in a businesslike manner. Brian chuckled. “So, I’m not the best or the only choice? That hurts, sweetheart.” He took out a box, opened it, and placed it on the IOU, pushing it to the center of the table. “Take this, and I’ll accept your... sincerity.” It was the ring Brian had wanted to give her at the auction. The ruby glowed with a seductive light, like the red tongue of the Eden serpent, tempting people to fall. Evelyn pursed her lips and looked away. “I hope our relationship is purely professional.” “Of course! Just accept it. Whether you wear it or be my companion is up to you.” Brian’s tone was sincere, but his smile was playful. “Though I hope it’s not so simple, I’ll respect your choice.” Evelyn’s breath caught, and her body felt unusually warm due to his words. Damn respect! She took the ring and hurriedly left the meeting room. Seeing her completely gone, Eric relaxed. “I really don’t understand you. For a woman you’ve only met a few times, you spent twenty billion without doing anything!” “You Italians are crazy when it comes to love, aren’t you? Moreover, she’s Damon’s wife. Who knows if she’ll team up with that idiot to set you up.” Brian gently kissed Evelyn’s signature on the IOU. “No matter, I have plenty of money. Trading it for a chance to get close to her is worth it.” When Evelyn returned home, she sensed something was off. Aunt Sophia didn’t greet her as usual. Looking up, she saw Damon sitting on the living room sofa with a grim face. She was merely curious why he wasn’t with his secretary and had no desire to talk, so she turned to go upstairs. “Evelyn!” His voice was dark with anger as he stood and walked toward her. Evelyn stopped. “Agreed to divorce?” The no longer always passionate Evelyn felt unfamiliar to Damon. His inexplicable displeasure made him even more impatient. “Can you stop mentioning that all the time!” She crossed her arms, leaning against the staircase railing. “Then I can’t think of anything else to talk about.” Damon took a few deep breaths. “The junk you auctioned was delivered by the auction house. It’s on your dressing table.” She nodded, her attitude cold as she turned to go upstairs. “Got it.” But Damon grabbed her wrist. He knew too well about Evelyn’s limited money. “Where did you get the money to pay? Did you max out your credit card? But it’s okay. If you need money, you can ask me...” Evelyn shook him off in disgust. “I don’t need you. I’ve already solved it. If you touch me without my consent again, I’ll sue you for marital rape and apply for a restraining order!” Damon sneered, leaning on the railing to trap her. “It was that bastard Brian, wasn’t it?! I knew he had feelings for you! But don’t forget, you’re my wife! No matter who has dirty thoughts about you, it doesn’t change that fact!” Evelyn mockingly lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze. “You’re so anxious. I don’t think it’s because you’re jealous for my sake. You’re just afraid I’ll squander your wealth and implicate you.” Damon was stunned, his body stiffening. It seemed she was right. Her tone grew colder. “Rest assured, I know we’re only in a business marriage. I understand you don’t like me and don’t want to let me go now. So, you don’t need to come home and ‘chat’ with me. Go accompany your white butterfly, and I can have some peace.” Damon was stunned for a moment. Evelyn easily pushed him away and headed upstairs without looking back. Previously, he only saw Evelyn as a breathing tool for their alliance. But hearing her self-deprecating words, he realized his excessiveness. Thanks to Evelyn’s pure and passionate love, Hilton Jewelry reached its current glory. However, now he felt he was losing this love. He chased after her. “Wait!” “Tonight’s banquet, you’ll attend with me.” Evelyn hesitated for a moment. Wasn’t this the business banquet Brian mentioned? Damon’s gaze turned cold. “Don’t you want to?” “You’re not taking Elin, but me? Are you sure?” It wasn’t that she was picking a fight; Damon’s behavior was just too abnormal today. He immediately called his secretary, instructing not to bring Elin, and then turned off his phone. “Happy now?” Evelyn chuckled, unsure of what he was up to. “I’ll get ready.” Her figure disappeared at the staircase, and Damon was still savoring her recent smile. How had he never noticed how sweet her smile was before?