A flicker of surprise crossed Charlotte’s face. She looked at himb, /bbutterly /bbbewildered /b“Evander, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what you heard,” he replied, his tone even.

Charlotte’s fingers tightened around each other before she realized it. Since when did Evander grow a conscience? Wasn’t he the one who always sneered at the Sterling family, who never missed a chance to show his disdain?

Was he really being generous now–or was this just another scheme to keep Hiram under his thumb, something he could use to threaten herter?

She was lost in thought when Evander’s gaze swept over her in outfit. His voice softened. “Come on. Let’s get you some new clothes.”

Before Charlotte could protest, Natalie had already opened the car door for her, smoothly taking the cardboard box from Charlotte’s arms. “Miss Sterling, right this way.”

Charlotte stood perfectly still, her expression unreadable. “If you have something to say, just say it. No need for games.”

Evander’s hand, idly tracing the watch on his wrist, stilled. He looked up at her. “My father’s home. Dinner at the manor tonight.”

So that was it.

Evander’s father rarely made it home, his business keeping him away for most of the year. But whenever he did return, the family always gathered for dinner.

Charlotte released her clenched hands and, without another word, slid into the car.

Evander took her to Aetheris International, the grandest shopping mall owned by the Howard family.

She’d been here with him before–but always as his assistant, never like this.

Two sales assistants hastily approached the moment they spotted Evander. “Mr. Howard, wee.”

Their eyesnded on Charlotte behind him, momentarily taken aback.

“Help her find some clothes,” Evander instructed, his tone cool and unhurried.

b1/2 /b

b08:47 /b

“Of course, Mr. Howard.” One of the women bbeamed /bbat /bbCharlotte/bb. /bThis bway /bmiss

Charlotte didn’t say a word, simply followed the saleswoman into bthe /binner showroom.

Within minutes, both assistants had arranged every new arrival in the store before her–over thirty designer outfits in all, each one worth a small fortune.

Charlotte didn’t have the patience for this. She quickly chose a simple, backless evening dress in a muted shade of red.

Outside the fitting room, Evander waited, legs crossed, asionally ncing bat /bbhis /b

watch.

Natalie, standing nearby, seemed anxious. “Shall I check on Miss Sterling?” she

offered.

Before Evander could respond, voices drifted over from the store entrance.

“Oh, she’s stunning.”

“No wonder Mr. Howard brought her here. She must be his girlfriend, right?”

“She’s beautiful, yes, but… she looks so fragile, like a porcin doll about to break. There’s no light in her eyes…”

Evander looked up.

Standing before him was a woman whose beauty defied description.

Her midnight–ck hair tumbled down her back like a waterfall, and the vintage crimson dress hugged her pale skin, making her seem almost ethereal under the warm glow of the lights above. There was an allure about her that was impossible to ignore–a heartbreaking elegance that drew every eye.

Evander’s gaze never left her, his silence stretching on.

Charlotte shifted ufortably, waiting for a reaction that never came. Finally, she broke the tension. “Mr. Howard, I’ve made my choice.”

He nodded, his eyes lingering on the delicate curve of her neck.

“There’s something missing,” he said quietly.

“What?” she asked, caught off guard.

He gestured, and a sales assistant immediately brought over a set of pearl jewelry from the disy.

Chapter TUU

Evander stood and walked toward her.

She instinctively wanted to step back, but he was already there, closing the gap between them. His arm encircled her almost–but not quite–touching, as if giving

her a choice to break free.

A cool touch grazed her skin.

He had fastened the pearl ne around her neck.

Charlotte froze, her whole body tensing at the brush of his fingertips.

To any outsider, the scene looked intimate–like a couple deeply in love, or a husband and wife lost in their own world.