However, a shadow suddenly fell over him. The clean and cool smell of Eugene’s cologne inexplicably calmed Mnie down in this chaotic bar.


    She could not help but look sideways, just in time to meet Eugene’s gaze. His thin lips parted, and he said, “Matthew’s girlfriend is here, too.”


    When he spoke, he kept his voice low, almost breathy. Mnie could not catch what he was saying


    over the others’ loud conversation.


    She looked up. “What did you say?”


    Eugene nced at her and suddenly leaned closer. He lowered his voice and repeated in her ear, Matthew’s girlfriend is Nicole Qaisa.”


    He was very close. When he leaned over, his figure could almost envelop Mnie’s.


    11


    Displeasure shed across Mnie’s face. She wanted to stay away from him, but Eugene had already backed off before she said anything.


    Mnie suppressed her emotions and said calmly, “Why should I care whether he has a girlfriend or


    not?”


    Eugene was about to reply when Bernard suddenly let out a sigh. His gazended on Mnie’s face and he thought for a moment before saying, “I’ve seen you before, haven’t I?”


    Mnie nodded graciously. “Yes, we met at Jepton.”


    Bernard narrowed his eyes as he studied Mnie. A momentter, he turned back to Matthew with a


    smile.


    “Hey, Nicole.” Bernard beamed at his sister. “Don’t you think Matthew and this beautifuldy look


    alike?”


    Nicole was not the only one who was taken aback. Everyone else in the room was also stunned.


    Yvette was the first to react. “Come to think of it, theirst names are both-”


    “Master Qaisa,” Eugene interrupted before Yvette could finish. He picked up the wine ss in front of him and said expressionlessly, “I heard that you recently closed a good deal along the coast. Congrattions.”


    Bernard raised an eyebrow. “You’re quite well informed, Mr. Scott.”


    After Eugene changed the subject, no one brought up the fact that Mnie looked like Matthew again.


    Mnie did not know why, but she could tell that Eugene had deliberately diverted the conversation.


    It was as if he did not want anyone to mention the connection between her and Matthew.


    Mnie’s mind was a mess. She looked up at Eugene inquisitively.


    Eugene seemed to sense her gaze on him. He smiled and downed another ss of wine with Bernard. While he lowered his head to refill his ss, he said without emotion, “I’ll remind you onest time that you shouldn’t get involved with Matthew.”


    Mnie paused, suddenly realizing something.


    Eugene had been trying to keep her away from Matthew from the start.


    Then there was the fact that her features resembled Matthew’s. Even Stephen and Bernard could see that. How could Eugene not have noticed?


    In other words-


    Eugene might have known about her rtionship with Matthew all along!


    The sudden realization made Mnie’s heart lurch.


    She pursed her lips and stood up, saying in a low voice, “I’m going to the washroom.”


    Mnie took some time to calm herself in the bathroom beforeing out. She still could not understand why Eugene would do this.


    After adjusting her emotions, she wanted to go back and ask Eugene.


    Just as she turned the corner, however, she saw a figure standing there, as if waiting for her.


    That person was tall and thin. His semi-long ck hair softened his otherwise ruthless air, making him look a little more reserved.


    -It was Matthew.