As dusk settled, Evander sat down to dinner with Sean and his daughter

in the restaurant.

Loretta’s tant attempts to charm Evander were so obvious that even the nearby waitstaff couldn’t help but notice.

Sean caught on, too. His hand paused mid–slice through his steak, and he frowned. “Loretta, a youngdy should show a little more restraint.”

“I know, Dad!” Loretta answered, batting hershes, convinced her expression was irresistibly cute.

Sean tried to remain impassive, but a flicker of disdain broke through his carefully controlled expression.

Was this really his and Laurinda’s daughter?

Evander swirled the wine in his ss, fingers resting lightly on the stem. “Mr. Rayburn, is dinner not to your taste?”

Sean rxed his brow. “Not at all.” He picked up his ss and clinked it against Evander’s. “I heard younded a partnership with Neb Tech in Riverspire City, and n to open a branch there?”

Evander’s eyes glinted with a faint smile. “My wife works in Riverspire City. Living apart for so long isn’t good for a marriage.”

Loretta’s grip on her fork and knife tightened. Her tone turned mocking. “Mr. Howard, isn’t your wife divorcing you?”

“Loretta!” Sean looked at her in shock.

“Dad, I’m just telling the truth. His wife doesn’t even love him–all she cares about is money.”

Sean clenched his winessb, /bstruggling to keep his temper. “That’s between husband and wife.”

When Evander didn’t reply, Loretta assumed she’d struck a nerve. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger and gave him a suggestive

10.21

wink. “Mr. Howard, there’s plenty of fish in the sea–ino /ineed to tie yourself to a sinking ship. Isn’t there a saying, ‘A life saved should be repaid with a life‘? Mr. Howard, what do you think of me?”

The restaurant staff exchanged nces, their expressions a mix of shock

and disbelief.

They’d seen shameless, but never quite like this.

Was Miss Rayburn out of her mind? The man clearly had a wife, and here she was, insulting the woman to his face and brazenly offering herself. Had women aiming for a homewrecker’s spot be this bold?

Evander took another slow sip of wine, not sparing her a nce. “Miss Donovan certainly brought her nightclub skills home–seduction seems toe as naturally as breathing.”

Loretta’s smile froze.

Sean’s jaw tightened. He closed his eyes for a moment, then signaled for

his assistant.

The assistant hurried over. “Yes, sir?”

“Take Miss Rayburn home.”

Loretta gaped. “Dad, I haven’t even finished eating!”

“Go home. Now.”

Stunned, Loretta shot to her feet and hurried out with the assistant.

The assistant cast a worried look back at Sean’s darkened expression.

Mr. Rayburn had worked so hard to find his daughter, and yet here he was, raising his voice at her. What on earth had she said to make him this

angry?

“Mr. Rayburn, don’t let it get to you” Evander said gently, refilling his ss. “No need to let a child’s words upset you.”

“You don’t have tofort me, Mr. Howard. I’ve already made a fool of myself in front of you.” Sean pushed his te aside, appetite gone. “I

213

1021

never imagined my daughter would turn out like this after being raised by her adoptive parents.”

Evander rested his ss against his lips, considering. “Are you sure Miss Donovan is really your daughter?”

“What are you getting at, Mr. Howard?” Sean’s brows knit together. “We’ve done the DNA test twice–once in Riverspire City, once here in the capital. Both times, the results were the same. How could there be any mistake?” Evander took another sip. “Does your wife have a sister?”

Sean looked momentarily taken aback, as if he’d nearly forgotten. “Yes, my mother–inw had two daughters. My wife is the eldest. Why do you

ask?”

“How is Ms. Donovan’s rtionship with your family?”

Sean let out a weary sigh. “After the fire, she barely kept in touch with either of us. Why do you bring her up now, Mr. Howard?”

312