Of course, Evangeline had only said it out of anger.


    She expected Soren to be furious. After all,paring him to Finn and then dering she''d rather be Finn''s mistress than marry him was a profound insult.


    Soren was a man ustomed to being on a pedestal, with people falling over themselves to tter and pursue him. He had never been humiliated like this.


    But to her surprise, Soren''s face only paled for a moment.


    "Do you really like him that much?"


    Whatever he was thinking, he quickly regained hisposure. "I can agree to you having a secret affair with him."


    "As long as it doesn''t get leaked to the media, I can ept it."


    "I can turn a blind eye until you two break up."


    Evangeline was stunned into silence, certain she must have misheard him.


    Had he lost his mind?


    The thought was so jarring that she couldn''t help but ask it aloud. "Have you forgotten you''re engaged to Poppy?"


    "And she''s pregnant with your child."


    As if he had anticipated her question, Soren answered smoothly, "The engagement


    is just for show, to give my grandmother hope and help her recover. Who the bride is doesn''t really matter."


    "I''ll handle Poppy. I''ll arrange a marriage for her as an adopted daughter of the Fawkes family."


    "The news about her pregnancy hasn''t gotten out. The child belongs to the Fawkes family and will be raised under our names. We can consider itpensation for the child we lost."


    He had spent all night thinking, and he believed he had found the best possible solution for them both.


    He had already tasted the pain and confusion of losing Evangeline, the feeling of utter emptiness. He now understood the tormented and agonizing situation she had endured for all those years.


    From now on, he would manage their rtionship properly.


    He used to think Evangeline was being unreasonable, that they had reached the end of the line.


    But now, with all the problemsid bare, he saw that every issue had room for resolution.


    It was true in business, and it was true in love.


    Seeing that Evangeline hadn''t rejected him outright this time but had fallen silent, he felt a flicker of confidence.


    After a moment''s thought, Soren added, "If you have any other conditions, feel free to name them."


    Evangeline gave a small, wry smile. "Any condition at all?"


    Soren nodded.


    Hearing her soften, he felt a wave of relief.


    “I want five billion dors. Cash,” Evangeline stated.


    Soren froze.


    He was almost certain she was messing with him.


    Did she have any idea how much five billion in cash was?


    Even if all four of Serenity City''s great


    reso emilies pooled their


    resources, they might not he able to Co with that much liquid cash


    Selling off shares or real estate might make it possible, but doing so


    uld ever his cash flow and


    the end for the Fawkes family.


    Soren felt she was deliberately making things impossible. “Evangeline, are you ying games with me?"


    Evangeline just smiled. "The day the cash hits my ount is the day I remarry you."


    Soren''s lips parted, but no words came out.


    Evangeline read his mind. "I know you don''t think I''m worth five billion, but while you may not I do. Even if


    I''m not worth it now, I will be the future."


    "If you can''te up with the money, I suggest you stop making empty promises about me remarrying you."


    With that, Evangeline turned and left without another nce in his direction.


    She had, of course, made the demand to deliberately corner Soren, hoping he would drop the idea entirely.


    And for the next few days, Soren didn''t mention it to her again.


    What Evangeline didn''t know was that Soren had summoned Leo for advice that very night.