Chapter 7 The Poor Woman Who Lost Her Husband

Evelyn blinked quickly, maintaining a calm smile. "They mentioned they bought a batch of raw stones. I just went along with it to leave a good impression." Damon looked at her skeptically. On second thought, Evelyn only loved buying jewelry but didn't understand the jewelry market. He believed she couldn't predict market trends and trusted her explanation. "If I find out you're lying, you know the consequences." His intuition told him Evelyn was still hiding something. Jack, the assistant, hurried over, whispering that some important clients had arrived. Damon stopped paying attention to Evelyn and continued networking with Elin. Before leaving, Elin raised an eyebrow at Evelyn. Her eyes were slightly apologetic, but her smug smile looked more like a provocation. Evelyn downed her glass of wine. Despite not wanting to care, at that moment, she was just a resentful wife whose husband had been stolen, in the eyes of others. Pity from others can sometimes be a form of humiliation. Her chest heaved, and she suddenly wanted to find a quiet place but didn't want to miss the chance to network. "Why do you always look like a widow whenever I see you?" Brian approached, holding a glass of wine and offering her some lemon juice. "A sour drink will help. If your heart feels sour too, I might get jealous! Ha." His black suit jacket hung open, revealing a dark red shirt with an open collar, exposing his muscular chest with a bronze glow. Evelyn stared for a moment before realizing her faux pas. Blushing, she took a sip of the lemon juice, wincing at the sudden sourness. She shouldn't have mixed drinks, or she wouldn't be getting tipsy so quickly. "Are you here to laugh at me?" Brian stood half a meter away, close enough to see her long, thick eyelashes. She looked fragile with her furrowed brows and lowered eyelids, making him swallow the rest of his teasing remarks. "Can you play the piano?" Evelyn was taken aback by the sudden change in topic. She took another sip of juice. "Of course. Do you have a song in mind?" Brian's smile, revealing a small tooth, added a boyish charm to his otherwise roguish appearance. "How about 'Over the Rainbow'? May our troubles melt like lemon water." "You, a carefree playboy, have troubles?" She set her glass down. He stared at her lips, moistened by the lemon juice, making them look even more enticing. "Not being able to tempt you—is that a trouble?" Evelyn rolled her eyes at him and quickly walked towards the piano. "Crazy!" "Hahaha!" His laughter was uninhibited, making her feel more relaxed. Sitting down gracefully, she began to play, instantly drawing everyone's attention. Simple songs require precision in rhythm and atmosphere, but it was second nature to her. The melody was beautiful, and the performer even more so. Brian leaned against the wall, eyes fixed on Evelyn, his chest heaving. The alcohol he swallowed only fueled the burning sensation inside him. Everyone was immersed in the music. Even Damon stopped his conversation to look at Evelyn. Elin intentionally commented, "Miss Evelyn plays so well." Damon replied indifferently, "Her mother was a world-famous pianist, the principal of the Vienna Concert Hall. Evelyn has been practicing since she was young. Naturally, she plays well." The hall erupted in thunderous applause when the song ended. Among the guests were world-class musicians and artists, all clapping enthusiastically, showcasing Evelyn's high level of skill. Though Damon spoke casually, Elin realized the gap between her and Evelyn. Evelyn wasn't just a pretty face with a rich family background. Her excellence was unattainable for Elin, whose jealousy twisted into a dark resolve. Evelyn nodded to the guests and Brian, the rare attention making her warm. She excused herself to the restroom, wanting some fresh air. Suddenly, her mouth was covered, her back pressed against a hot chest. She bit down, making the person gasp. "Hiss! You’re serious!" Brian?! She let go. "Why are you sneaking around instead of staying in the hall?" "Of course, to give you this." Brian handed her a contract and the IOU. "If you want to stand by my side, I can’t let you do it without a proper title. Here’s your employment contract. The year-end bonus is your twenty billion IOU. Your salary will be separate once you start." He had a knack for turning serious words into something less serious. This time, Evelyn didn't refuse. Given her abilities, earning a twenty billion bonus wasn’t surprising. "Nothing else?" "If you want more..." He leaned in, making her step back quickly. She complained with a smile. "Boring!" Brian, unfazed, sat on the corridor railing. "So, can you tell me now why you had to buy that worthless junk? As a jeweler's wife, you should know its value." His voice carried a seductive tone, the answer almost on her lips. Evelyn bit her tongue, suppressing the urge to tell him. "Can I not say?" Brian nodded. "Of course, I'm just curious. With your sharp eye, I believe the junk is priceless." Evelyn's heart raced. She had never encountered such a smooth talker. "Actually... this set of jewelry is antique. In two months, someone will buy it for a hundred times the price." She recalled the history of the jewelry. "Each piece is a key. Some are certificates for funds, others crucial for land exchanges. I don’t know all the details, but selling it alone can bring billions." "But my set is missing pieces. There’s only one earring, and the ring seems to be a pair." Brian was intrigued. "Where did you hear this?" Evelyn walked back to the hall, her tone mysterious. "Secret." Brian frowned. "So the jewelry's value lies in that." After hearing Brian's recount, Eric clapped his thigh. "Why didn’t you say so earlier? I know where the other earring and ring are! Once I get them, we can investigate further." "I knew this jewelry wasn't simple!" Brian smirked. "You said it was junk." "Junk can sell too. I never said it was trash, hehe!" Eric laughed, walking out of the smoking room with Brian. Damon was still waiting for Elin. She had changed into a white dress, her movements as graceful as a butterfly, but her face looked like she had swallowed a fly. "Mr. Damon, look over there. Isn't that Miss Evelyn?" Following Elin's direction, Damon saw Evelyn and Brian close together, almost kissing, then Evelyn stepping back to maintain distance. Elin observed Damon's expression carefully. "I always wondered how someone as elegant and beautiful as Miss Evelyn could know someone like Brian. She already has you but doesn’t keep her distance from such a scoundrel." Damon's face darkened, his tone cold. "She... must have forgotten I exist." As soon as Evelyn returned to the hall, Damon blocked her path, his expression unfriendly. "Where did you go?" She frowned, unsure why he was suddenly upset. Before she could speak, Damon sneered. "Or should I ask who you were with just now?"