"Mr. Glenn? To what do I owe the pleasure? Calling sote, it must be important."


    Finn''s voice instantly reverted to its usual flippant tone.


    Glenn got straight to the point. "I want to know your true intentions with Evangeline."


    Finn''s eyebrows rose. "That''s a rather serious usation, Mr. Glenn. Why assume I have an agenda? Can''t a man simply admire a woman for who she is?"


    "It doesn''t matter whether you''re using her or you admire her," Glenn said, his voice t. "I just need you to protect her until I get back."


    Finn didn''t agree immediately. "I''m curious, in what capacity are you asking this of me?" It wasn''t that he saw Glenn as a threat; he was just enjoying the game. He''d done his homework on Evangeline''s past, which included her circle of friends. Glenn''s background was hard to dig into, but Finn had managed to uncover a few key details. And everything he found pointed to one conclusion: Glenn was in love with her.


    UME had started with just the two of them, back when the Whitmore family was on the decline. With his resources, Glenn could have partnered with anyone, yet he chose her. Even thepany''s name-UME was a dead giveaway. You. Me.


    When Evangeline got married and UME faced turmoil, Glenn had secured foreign investment and moved operations overseas, nearly falling out with investors who wanted him to change thepany name. The moment Evangeline''s divorce was final, he had returned, risking everything. The reason seemed obvious.


    "As family," Glenn''s voice cut through his thoughts. "The kind of family that wants to see her safe and happy, always."


    Finn chuckled. Glenn was stubborn, he''d give him that. He decided not to push it. "Well, if you''re her family, then of course I''ll listen."


    Glenn heard the amusement in Finn''s voice and knew he wasn''t convinced. Just as he didn''t trust Finn. He still suspected Finn might hurt Evangeline, but he had no other choice. He had met with Victor earlier that day and learned that Victor had people watching Evangeline in Serenity City. She was in constant danger. Even if he rushed back now, there was little he could do except try to dy Victor. Anyone else, he could handle. But if Evangeline fell into Victor''s hands, the situation would be impossible.


    "However," Finn added, his tone shifting, "you''re a businessman, Mr. Glenn. You know there''s no such thing as a free lunch. What are you offering in exchange for this favor?"


    "The Carlisles recently acquired a prime piece of real estate," Glenn said. "It''s mine."


    Finn arched an eyebrow. "Thatnd was a major win for your father. He won''t be pleased if I take it off your hands."


    "That''s between him and me," Glenn replied coolly.


    The property was in the heart of Serenity City, a plot so valuable thatpanies had practically gone to war over it. The Lockridges had wanted it too, but had deferred to the Carlisles out of professional courtesy. Normally, Finn would have jumped at the offer.


    But this time, he hesitated. He had to admire Glenn''s willingness to sacrifice so much for Evangeline. He had no desire to see the man ruined because of it.