Tricia’s face twisted with embarrassment, choking on those words.

What the hell did that bitch mean by that?

Was she mocking her?

She quickly shoved her phone back in its ce at the sound of footsteps outside, stepping away from the desk.

Evander and Natalie entered the office.

Evander nced up, a faint frown creasing his brow. “You’re out of the hospital?”

“Yeah, the doctor said I’m fine, just need a few days of rest.” Tricia walked toward him, watching as he dropped into his chair and picked up his phone. She seized the chance to change the subject. “Hans hasn’t seen you in a while, Evander. How about lunch together today?”

He didn’t bother to check the call logs, just nced over thepany’s group chat, and gave a nomittal nod. “Sure.”

Tricia’s eyes lit up with delight.

Meanwhile, over at the café, Charlotte had barely ended her call before. she spotted Jonathan waiting at a corner table. He’d arrived early. She hurried over, offering an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I hope you haven’t been waiting long?”

“Just a few minutes, nothing to fuss over.” Jonathan set down his cup of tea, forwarding the restored security footage to her phone. “Luckily, whoever deleted the video wasn’t much of a pro. Otherwise, it would’ve taken ages ito /irecover.”

Charlotte checked the video on her phone, then looked up at him. “Thank

iyou/i.”

“By the way, how much was your coat? Let me pay you back.”

b1/3 /b

20:21

After all, his coat had ended up tossed out by Evander, and she still felt a little guilty about it.

Jonathan seemed to know what she was about to say. He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry about it—it’s just a coat. Honestly, I thought you might not call at all. I’m d I could help, if only to honor Professor Carstairs’s wishes.”

Charlotte smiled too. “Once I’m officially transferred, I’ll go visit him myself.”

“Transferred?” Jonathan looked puzzled.

Before she could answer, a familiar voice called out behind them.

“Hans, slow down!”

Charlotte stiffened, turning around.

She saw Hans skipping happily ahead, while Tricia and Evander walked into the restaurant at a leisurely pace.

Of all ces, they had toe to this restaurant.

ia wore a customvender dress and impossibly high heels, her keup immacte. Arm in arm with Evander, the two looked every bit picture–perfect couple.

Charlotte watched them. She’d known this might happen, but her heart still gave a sharp, involuntary twist.

She had spent six years trying–never once able to stand openly at Evander’s side. Tricia, on the other hand, had managed it in just six

months.

Maybe those six years… really were just wasted time for Evander.

Evander’s gaze swept the room,nding on Charlotte and Jonathan by the window. He slowed, frowning slightly.

Tricia noticed and followed his gaze. A flicker of cold satisfaction passed

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20:21

through her eyes as she slipped her arm through Evander’s. “Isn’t that Dr. Sterling and Mr. Pembroke? Evander, are they on a date? Should we go say hello?”

Charlotte’s eyes met Evander’s at that moment.

He looked away without a word, face impassive, as if she were just another stranger. “Let’s eat first,” he said coolly.

Tricia, smiling sweetly, fell into step beside him. As they passed, she shot Charlotte a look–half challenge, half triumph.

Charlotte stared after her, at a loss for words.

Jonathan cleared his throat. “Hope you don’t mind me asking, but… what exactly is your rtionship with Mr. Howard?”

He’d wanted to ask for some time. As an outsider, even he could tell there was somethingplicated between her and Evander.

Charlotte snapped out of her thoughts, pressing her lips together. “There’s… nothing between us.”

Jonathan sensed she didn’t want to talk about it and let the matter drop.

d at the restaurant entrance, Charlotte called after him,

need another favor from you soon. I’ll buy you dinner to

n’t even hesitate. “I’d be d to help.”

Moments after Jonathan left, Charlotte’s phone buzzed with a text from

Evander.

Meet me in the parking lot.