CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: TIME IS ALMOST UP

Even James Grant looked at her twice, seemingly surprised.

"Still playing?"

"No, I’m tired." Evelyn Clayton logged out, letting go of the mouse: "You guys play."

No matter how much they begged her, she remained unmoved.

Shawn Donovan was the loudest, but eventually, he was quieted down by Keith Donovan.

Everyone’s attention quickly shifted back to the screen.

James Grant noticed Evelyn Clayton heading out and discreetly followed.

After spending the whole night indoors, she felt a bit dizzy.

It had been a while since she gamed, her hands were rusty, but her skills were still there, and she quickly got back into the rhythm.

Keith Donovan’s balcony was spacious, allowing a view of the distant trees.

She stood in the moonlight, as beautiful as a fairy in a painting.

Suddenly, a jacket was draped over her shoulders.

Evelyn Clayton instinctively turned around, reflexively kicking.

"We haven’t signed the papers yet, kill me now and you won’t get any assets."

James Grant easily dodged her kick, glancing over her: "For someone so slim, you have quite some strength."

"I always use extra force when dealing with dogs." Evelyn’s shoulder shrugged off the jacket.

She reached to pick it up.

But James Grant beat her to it, dusted it off, and handed it back to her.

"No, I’m not cold."

Actually, she was cold; a formal dress wasn’t any thicker, and the temperature plummeted after nightfall.

If James Grant weren’t there, she’d have sniffed.

Without giving her a chance, James Grant put the jacket around her: "Just wear it, or they’ll start teasing when they see you. Sometimes their words spread news faster than the media."

So he was using her after all.

Evelyn Clayton accepted it comfortably, even pulling it tighter.

Indeed, it was much warmer.

"Have you played games before?" James Grant leaned against the balcony, asking nonchalantly.

"During college, I played as a game booster to earn some living expenses."

The spot she originally stood in was now taken by him, so Evelyn Clayton had to move to the wall.

James Grant wasn’t surprised at all, not even asking why she needed to earn her living expenses.

Yet Evelyn Clayton was curious about how James Grant became so adept at gaming.

"Do you have something on your mind?" James Grant suddenly turned to ask.

"What?" Evelyn Clayton blinked, momentarily puzzled.

"Your expression is telling me you want to ask something."

James Grant suddenly walked towards her.

Instinctively she retreated: "James Grant, what do you want?"

"Giving you a chance, ask away."

Her back was already against the wall, but James Grant didn’t stop until his nose touched hers.

His pure masculine scent enveloped her, leaving Evelyn Clayton’s heartbeat uncontrollably accelerated.

She had never been so close to a man; previously, with James Grant, it was only during moments of unconsciousness, making her a bit flustered.

A faint smell of tobacco and mint lingered at the tip of her nose, not offensive, rather quite nice.

"What are you daydreaming about?" James Grant lifted her chin with two fingers, forcing her to look at him: "Evelyn Clayton, you can ask me anything you want to know. Getting to know each other better helps us fake affection in public. Otherwise, if you accidentally hit a sore spot, the facade drops."

Oddly, she felt compelled by him, thinking it made sense.

"I was just wondering, why are you into gaming? I thought your life only..."

"Chasing girls, right?" James Grant smiled indifferently, letting go: "E-sports are popular now. Keith Donovan and I have been thinking about investing in a club. But we’re not stupid; we won’t invest blindly without understanding. We study the trending games in our spare time."

"Your skills seem beyond just understanding."

Evelyn Clayton crossed her arms: "James Grant, that answer lacks sincerity. If you’re not being honest, can I choose not to be honest too next time?"

"I am being honest," James Grant spread his hands: "Maybe add one more about chasing women."

Evelyn Clayton pouted but didn’t question him further.

James Grant glanced at his watch: "Time’s almost up."