But the other party refused.
ording to the business manager they’d sent, after being turned down, he had. even rified that it was the Fawkes family’spany they were
representing just in case there was some misunderstanding.
But the man had cut him off without hesitation. “I know it’s the Fawkes family. Still
not interested.”
Arrogant, wasn’t he?
So this was the guy.
Soren’s gaze lingered on the man’s face in the photo.
Flora had always been exceptional–sharp memory, top of her ss, and talented in just about everything from music to art. She’d been surrounded by promising suitors since childhood, but not one had caught her eye.
So, for her to notice this man? He must be something special.
Well, Soren was curious to meet him, too.
A faint smile tugged at Soren’s lips. After memorizing the photo, he said, “I’ll find some time to talk to him. Doesn’t matter who he’s with–I’ll bring him to you if you
want.”
“Don’t be too rough, Flora pleaded, her eyes wide with anticipation. “Just find a way for us to meet, that’s all.”
She’d flown overseas to look for Glenn several times, but he was always busy–never even had time to sit down for a coffee with her.
There was one time, after she’d spent a fortune, she managed to buy two hours of
his time.
He’d <b>been </b>perfectly polite, a true gentleman the entire time, but for some reason, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Glenn didn’t really like her.
She guessed maybe it was the fact that she’d paid for his time that had rubbed him the wrong way.
That’s
why, this time, she wanted to exin herself face–to–face.
She really did like him–there was never any intention to insult or belittle him.
Π
The night deepened outside.
Once Soren had calmed Flora down, he left the Fawkes residence.
He nced up at the oppressive, cloud–covered sky, then reached into his coat pocket for the medication his doctor had prescribed not long ago.
He pressed his lips together, rolling the bottle between his fingers.
In his mind, the image shed again of Evangeline limping away from the Fawkes
estate.
After a moment’s hesitation, he pulled out his phone and sent her a message.
“How’s your ankle?”
Evangeline was still poring over the information Glenn had given her when her phone buzzed. She thought it was Glenn, checking in after arriving at his hotel.
She picked up her phone and unlocked it without thinking.
When she saw it was a message from Soren, she froze.
So he knew she was hurt, and yet he’d still chosen to trust and care about Poppy instead.
A self–deprecating smile flickered across Evangeline’s face.
In the past, she might have thought Soren was genuinely concerned about her.
But now, she knew better than anyone–this kind of concern was like someone absentmindedly patting a stray dog on the street.
Just a casual gesture.
No real feeling behind it.
After a moment’s thought, Evangeline put her phone down without replying.
She hadn’t answered, and figured Soren would just leave it at that, the way he always did. But unexpectedly, another message arrived almost immediately.
“Wait for me.”
After hitting send, Soren pocketed his phone.
He slid into the car, about to tell Gregory to drive him to Evangeline’s ce.
But before he could speak, Gregory turned and said, “Mr. Fawkes, Miss Yates has gone to the vi.”
23
11:24
The night was growing darker.
Moonlight struggled through the gaps in the heavy clouds, casting only the faintest shimmer of starlight.
Evangeline finished reading a few more pages, then nced up and realized howte it had gotten.
Glenn had just arrived at his hotel and texted her that he was safe.
Evangeline replied, telling him to get some rest. As she exited the chat, her eyesnded on Soren’s earlier message.
“Wait for <b>me</b><b>.</b>”
It had been three hours since he sent it.
She shook her head <b>in </b>confusion.
What exactly was he asking her to wait for?
Ding–dong-
Just as Evangeline was lost in thought, the doorbell suddenly rang.
11:24