Chapter 202

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:

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?"

......

"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.

Now he sat pressed against her, his possessiveness unmistakable.

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

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?

"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.

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?

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: "......"

"Enough!" Lance waved a hand. "We all know your preferences. Fooling your family is one thing, but getting her pregnant? A miser who won't spare a dime—where's your conscience?"

Alexander turned to Winston. "Control your man."

Winston was about to light a cigarette when Alexander said coldly, "No secondhand smoke around a pregnant woman."

Winston put the cigarette away and said seriously, "He's right. You're too stingy. No status, no money?"

"Fine, I'll grant the interview—you pay for it. Consider it hush money."

Lance nodded vigorously. "Save some face for Lord Alex."

Alexander: "......"

"Not a single cent," he said icily. "Take it or leave it."

"See?" Lance and Winston said in unison. "Miser!"

When Evelyn returned, the atmosphere was palpably tense.

Alexander and Winston both looked grim.

Lance gazed at her with pity, as if saying: Poor thing...

......

"How far along are you, Reporter Sinclair?" Lance suddenly asked with concern.

"Almost three months," Evelyn answered.

Lance's eyes grew even more sympathetic.

Three months pregnant, together for less than one.

How desperately must she have worked to become a tool?

No wonder the rumors said she was a homewrecker looking for a rebound.

A woman this beautiful deserved better...

Alexander was worse than a beast!

"What skincare do you use, Reporter Sinclair?" Lance asked eagerly.

"Just regular brands," Evelyn replied, confused.

Lance shot Alexander a glare. "With your means, she should be using the best!"

"I'll recommend a pregnancy-safe brand!" He snatched Evelyn's phone. "Let me sign you up for their membership."

Before Evelyn could react, a call suddenly popped up.

Lance's finger slipped, hitting speakerphone.

"Evelyn Sinclair!" Melissa Lee's shrill voice blared. "Is the interview settled?"

Evelyn tensed. "We're discussing it."

"Discussing?" Melissa sneered. "Can't even lie convincingly anymore?"