Chapter 163

Evelyn Laurent shot a glance at Lillian Rothschild beside her and lowered her voice. "Wait for me."

Her skirt swirled sharply as she turned.

Lillian crouched under the shade of a tree outside the shop, biting her straw as she watched Evelyn's figure disappear behind the glass door.

Evelyn strode straight to the booth at the very back.

"Explain." Her fingertips tapped against the marble tabletop.

Ethan Sullivan leisurely tucked away his phone. "Routine background check."

The screen still displayed Lillian's student records.

Evelyn suddenly leaned forward, bracing her hands on the table. Her long hair cascaded down, brushing against Ethan's knuckles with a faint sting.

"You crossed the line."

Each word dripped with ice.

Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed. The delicate scent of jasmine from her hair clashed starkly with her tone.

"Cloudhaven hasn't been safe lately," he murmured, reaching for her wrist. "That transfer student last time—"

Evelyn jerked her hand away.

"Mr. Sullivan." Her lips curled into a cold smile. "Need I remind you of Clause Three?"

No interference in personal affairs.

The light in Ethan's eyes dimmed. He remembered last month in the library, when Evelyn had pushed his offered umbrella back at him just like this.

"My apologies." He loosened his tie. "It won't happen again."

The glass door slammed shut with a deafening crash.

Lillian startled, jumping to her feet as Evelyn stormed out, her face stormy.

"Let's go." She grabbed Lillian's wrist.

Ethan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the two girls scramble into a taxi. He pulled out a cigarette case, then shoved it back into his pocket with frustration.

His phone screen lit up.

[Old Man: Family dinner next Wednesday. Bring Ms. Laurent.]

He stared at the message for a long moment before flipping the phone facedown on the table.

When the waiter came to clear the coffee cups, he found the coaster crumpled into a twisted paper ball.