secret lover 167 Summary
Evelyn finally agrees to Joseph’s persistent request and follows him to a quiet seating area away from the crowd. As they move, she senses Axel’s intense gaze tracking her, stirring emotions she tries to control. Despite this, she maintains herposure and sits down with Joseph, who reveals that he wants her to attend a major charity dinner next week on behalf of Walters Group. Joseph exins that her presence would boost thepany’s reputation and signal its recovery after past troubles, emphasizing that she is a respected figure who can help restore confidence among investors and partners.
Evelyn is initially surprised and hesitant, having thought Joseph’s invitation might be personal, but she soon understands the business motive behind it. She expresses concern about appearing publicly under the Walters name so soon, especially since she no longer uses it and wants to discuss the matter with her husband Axel first. Joseph reassures her that she would only need to show up and make a positive impression, not speak or mingle extensively. Evelyn agrees to consider the invitation but insists on consulting Axel before deciding.
At that moment, Axel appears and calmly gives his approval, surprising Evelyn with hisposed and supportive attitude. He holds her hand and tells Joseph that from a business perspective, attending the event is a smart move for Walters Group. He leaves the choice to Evelyn, encouraging her to follow her heart. This warm and understanding gesture from Axel eases Evelyn’s worries, and she feels grateful for his trust and support. The three then agree to proceed with preparations for the event.
After Joseph leaves, Evelyn and Axel share a quiet moment where he teases her about expecting jealousy, but instead, he emphasizes the importance of trust and growth in their rtionship. Evelyn acknowledges the changes in both of them, noting how she no longer runs away but faces challenges head-on. Axel’s sincerity and gentle affection deepen their bond, ending the chapter on a note of mutual understanding and renewed closeness.Continue Regr Chapter Reading Below
167 The Invitation
Atst, Evelyn relented to Joseph’s persistent request.
He led her toward a quiet seating area tucked away at the far end of the room, a spot separated from the bustling crowd. The atmosphere there was calm, a stark contrast to the lively chatter elsewhere.
Yet, as they moved, Evelyn felt the unmistakable weight of Axel’s gaze tracking her every step.
That look—intense and unsettling—always quickened her pulse, stirring emotions she tried to keep under control. She nced back subtly, catching his eyes fixed on her from across the room.
He wasn’t smiling outright, but the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth was unmistakable—a silent reminder that he was watching her closely.
Evelyn returned the look with a casual smile, masking the flutter in her chest, then resumed walking beside Joseph.
Once seated gracefully on the sofa, she motioned for him to take the chair opposite her.
“Alright, Joseph,” she said with calmposure. “What is it you want to discuss?”
Joseph inhaled deeply, steadying himself before he spoke. “Eve, there’s a major charity dinner next week. It’s being held at The World Cultural Center. I need you to attend with me.”
Her eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. “Wait—Joseph, you want me to go with you?”
“Yes,” he answered promptly. “I need you. Or rather, Walters Group needs you.”
Evelyn’s polite smile faltered. “Wow, Jo. That’s quite an unusual way to start a conversation.”
Joseph chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Look, thepany’s reputation still hasn’t fully bounced back after… everything that happened. Our business partners are watching closely, and investors remain cautious. If you show up at this event, it’ll send a strong signal that we’re on the road to recovery.”
He paused, a bitter smile crossing his lips before he continued, “People still respect you, Eve. You survived and fought back when that ruthless William Walters exiled you. You’re the face everyone now associates with Walters Group. You have the power to bring thepany back into the spotlight.”
Evelyn leaned back, a wave of relief washing over her.
Initially, she had assumed Joseph’s invitation was something more personal—and the thought had made her uneasy, given that she was very much married.
But hearing his exnation, she understood this was about business, not feelings.
Still, the request was no small favor.
“You want me to appear publicly at a charity dinner?” she murmured, half to herself.
Joseph nodded.
“Yes. It’s the biggest charity event of the year. CEOs, investors, celebrities, media—all of them will be there. If you walk in as Evelyn Walters, one of thepany’srgest shareholders, it could change everything.”
She fell silent for a moment, the weight of his words pressing heavily on her chest.
Four years ago, Walters Group had been her entire world—her family’s pride and her burden. Yet now, she no longer used the Walters name.
Though Oscar had given her a grand online debut just days ago, attending a business g under the Walters Group banner still felt too soon—almost wrong—for her.
And then there was Axel. She needed to talk this over with him before deciding.
“Eve,” Joseph’s voice softened, pulling her from her thoughts. “I know this might feel ufortable. But I wouldn’t ask if there was any other way. You don’t even have to speak on stage or mingle with anyone. Just show up, smile, shake hands. That alone could make a huge difference.”
Evelyn tilted her head, studying him. His eyes were earnest, almost pleading. She sighed, half amused.
“You make it sound like I’m some kind of miracle worker.”
“You are,” Joseph said sincerely. “At least for thepany.”
Sheughed lightly. “Oh,e on. You’re making me sound like a mascot.”
“More like a legend,” he corrected. “You vanished, and now everyone wants to know what really happened. If they see you confident and happy, it’ll quiet the rumors.”
Evelyn didn’t respond right away, her mind swirling with thoughts.
“I’ll think about it,” she finally said. “But I need to talk to my husband first before making any decision.”
“Of course,” Joseph replied quickly. “I understand.”
Just then, a calm voice interrupted behind them.
“You can go, Eve.”
The deep, familiar tone made Evelyn’s heart skip a beat. She turned quickly, startled to find Axel standing nearby.
His expression wasposed, almost unreadable, though a flicker of amusement shone in his eyes. He approached with steady steps and sat down beside her.
“Axel, are you sure?” she asked, uncertainty threading her voice.
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached for her hand, gently squeezing it, his thumb brushing softly over her skin.
Only then did he look at Joseph. “You said the fundraising event is next week at The World Cultural Center?”
Joseph blinked, caught off guard. “Y-Yes, sir,” he stammered. “Next Friday evening. I apologize if I sounded inappropriate asking your wife to attend.”
Axel’s lips curved into a slight smile.
“No need to apologize. You’re asking on behalf of herpany.”
He leaned backfortably, still holding Evelyn’s hand.
“From a business perspective, I agree with you. It’s a smart move. Walters Group could really benefit from that kind of positive exposure.”
Evelyn blinked at him, surprised. She had expected at least a hint of jealousy or a sarcastic remark. Instead, he waspletelyposed.
“But,” Axel added, turning his gaze toward her, “as her husband, I’d say the choice is yours. Follow what your heart tells you.”
Though his tone was calm, the warmth in his eyes made Evelyn’s chest swell with gratitude.
He stroked the back of her hand again with his thumb—a small gesture that spoke volumes.
Joseph shifted awkwardly between them, clearly relieved that Axel wasn’t upset but wise enough to offer support.
Evelyn exhaled, finally allowing herself to rx. She smiled shyly, feeling thankful. “You’re not angry?”
“Why would I be?” Axel replied lightly. “You’re not going there for anyone but yourself—and for thepany. Eve, remember, you’ve poured a lot of money into Walters Group but always ended up with negative returns…”
She listened to his reasoning with a gentle smile, finding herself agreeing.
While her main goal was to gain those shares to oust her father from thepany, she couldn’t deny the allure of finally seeing a return on her investment.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the air between them softening into something quieter, deeper.
Then Axel turned back to Joseph. “Send her the event details. We’ll make sure she’s prepared.”
“Yes, sir,” Joseph said immediately. “Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mrs. Knight.”
After a respectful nod, Joseph excused himself, leaving Evelyn and Axel alone in the quiet seating area.
Evelyn remained silent for a few seconds, still absorbing everything that had just transpired.
Finally, she looked at Axel. “You handled that better than I thought you would.”
“Were you hoping for some drama?” he teased.
“Maybe just a little,” she admitted with a grin. “It’s strange. You used to get jealous so easily.”
“I learned,” he said simply. “Jealousy is easy. Trust takes work.”
His answer caught her off guard. She blinked, then smiled softly, her heart warming at his honesty.
“You’ve changed, Axel.”
“Or maybe you have,” he replied, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You don’t run away anymore. You stand your ground and face things. It makes me want to do the same.”
Evelyn’sughter was soft and genuine this time. “You’re full of surprises, Mr. Knight.”
He leaned in closer, his voice low and teasing. “You married me. You should expect a few.”Conclusion
This chapter delicately captures the shifting dynamics between Evelyn, Axel, and Joseph, highlighting Evelyn’s inner conflict and the external pressures she faces. The invitation to the charity dinner symbolizes not only a business opportunity but also a step toward reiming her identity and influence within the Walters Group. Despite the lingering tension and past wounds, the chapter emphasizes Evelyn’s growing strength and the supportive foundation Axel offers, reflecting a mature and evolving partnership.
The quiet moments shared between Evelyn and Axel reveal a deepening trust and understanding, recing jealousy with respect and encouragement. Their exchange underscores the theme of change—both personal and rtional—as they navigate theplexities of love, loyalty, and ambition together. Ultimately, the chapter leaves readers with a sense of hopeful anticipation, as Evelyn prepares to face the future with renewed courage and the unwavering support of her husband.What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises a delicate dance of emotions and decisions as Evelyn contemtes stepping back into the public eye under the Walters Group banner. The invitation to the charity dinner is more than just a business opportunity; it carries the weight of her past and theplex dynamics of her present life. How will Evelyn reconcile her lingering reservations with the chance to reim a part of her identity and influence? The subtle yet charged interactions between her, Axel, and Joseph hint at undercurrents of trust, loyalty, and unspoken tensions that could surface in unexpected ways.
As Evelyn prepares to discuss the invitation with Axel, readers can anticipate moments of vulnerability and strength, revealing deeperyers of their marriage. Axel’s surprisingposure and support contrast with the jealousy he once harbored, suggesting growth but also opening questions about what challenges lie ahead for them both. The uing event might not only impact Evelyn’s role in thepany but also test the resilience of their rtionship, setting the stage for emotional revtions and pivotal choices.
Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.