Inside the luxury car parked in the underground garage, Gregory sat behind the wheel, his palms slick with sweat. He kept sneaking nces at Soren in the rearview mirror, heart pounding in the oppressive silence. Ever since they''d gotten in the car, Soren hadn''t said a word. His expression was unreadable, giving


    nothing away.


    The tension was suffocating-far worse than if Soren had just exploded andid into him. Gregory would''ve preferred a shouting match to this icy quiet.


    He''d heard all about what went down at the birthday party. Evangeline had announced their divorce in front of everyone, and then, without even missing a beat, introduced her new boyfriend. On top of that, Soren''s grandmother handed over thepany shares to Evangeline right then and there.


    The divorce was one thing. But Gregory figured what really had Soren rattled was the loss of those shares.


    He could understand why Soren was upset. After years of hard work, seeing the fruits of yourbor snatched away would make anyone bitter. Still, considering the five years Soren and Evangeline had been together, Gregory thought things didn''t have to end this badly.


    He hesitated, then tested the waters: "Mr. Fawkes, maybe you should talk to Miss Whitmore again?"


    He''d always thought Evangeline was reasonable-she wasn''t the type to just take what wasn''t hers. There had to be a reason she epted the shares.


    Soren stared out the window, lost in thought. Gregory''s voice finally snapped him back. Soren''s hands clenched into fists, and a humorless, angry smile tugged at his lips. "What''s there to talk about?"


    The marriage was over. He''d thought she was just acting out, throwing a fit. He never dreamed she''d been nning the divorce for over a month.


    Evangeline had hidden her intentions well-too well.


    The more he thought about it, the heavier the weight on his chest became, pressing down until he could barely breathe.


    Gregory lowered his voice, "After five years of marriage, I doubt Miss Whitmore could just walk away without a second thought. Maybe she acted on impulse. If you reached out, apologized... she might reconsider."


    He suspected Evangeline only epted the Fawkes family''s assets to prove a point to Soren—and maybe to Poppy. Truth was, Soren had gone too fartely with Miss Yates. Even Gregory could see that.


    Soren let out a sharpugh. "You want me to apologize to her?”


    She''d nned the divorce behind his back for a month, blindsided him in front of everyone—and now it was somehow his fault? He was supposed to apologize?


    "Not happening," Soren replied coldly. "Let her go. I won''t beg."


    Gregory knew Soren''s temper well and wasn''t surprised by his firm refusal. Still, he tried again, quietly: "Mr. Fawkes, sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward. This is a big deal-going head-to-head won''t solve anything."


    Soren''s eyes flickered, just for a moment.


    "Miss Whitmore''s got a soft heart. She used to adore you. If you apologized and tried to work things out, I''m sure she''d listen," Gregory pressed gently.


    He''d always believed Evangeline didn''t care about the Fawkes family fortune. If she did, she wouldn''t have left with nothing. Even in the worst-case scenario, she''d probably only ask for a fair settlement.


    "She''d listen?" Soren scoffed, lips curling. "She looked pretty determined when she ended things back there."


    "She''lle around," Gregory insisted. "Miss Whitmore may seem strong, but she''s not heartless."


    Soren fell quiet, Gregory''s words settling his nerves a little.


    Would Evangeline really take him back?


    But then, the memory of her unwavering voice announcing the divorce, and the image of her kissing another man, shed through his mind.


    Whatever calm he''d found evaporated. The scandal had exploded, and now he was supposed to grovel for a second chance? What did Evangeline take him for? What did he take himself for?


    He pressed his lips together, letting out a cold, derisiveugh. "Even if she wanted me back, I wouldn''t go."


    Gregory watched him closely, confused. He could''ve sworn Soren was wavering so why did he suddenly seem so stubborn? In business, Soren had always been decisive, ruthless. Why couldn''t he make up his mind about this?


    Before Gregory could say more, Soren cut him off. "Stop defending her. Tell her she made her choice. No regrets. Getting back together is out of the question." Gregory was left speechless. "Back together? I thought we were talking about thepany shares..."


    He started to exin, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Evangeline walking toward them.


    Her car was parked right beside theirs. She paused in front of her door, nced around as if sensing something, then climbed into her car.


    Gregory debated getting out to say hello, but the chill running down his spine stopped him. He turned to find Soren''s warning gaze fixed on him in the mirror. He thought better of it and stayed put.


    Soren had seen her, too. When Evangeline nced their way, he looked away, refusing to meet her eyes.


    A few minutester, she started her car and drove off as if she hadn''t noticed them at all.


    Soren frowned, his gaze drifting to the sticker on the rear windshield of her car. Something about it struck a chord. For a moment, his pupils contracted sharply.


    Gregory watched Soren, who seemed utterly transfixed by Evangeline''s retreating car. Suddenly, everything clicked into ce. So Mr. Fawkes did still care about Evangeline. He even wanted her back.


    Just as Gregory was about to suggest they follow her, Soren spoke first, his voice carrying a tremor Gregory had never heard before.


    "Evangeline''s car... was it in an ident before?"