The next morning, Evelyn walked into her office and was immediately greeted by excited whispers.
"Did you see the news?"
"Someone said Mr. Blackwood proposed to Evelyn at the banquet!"
"Wait, really? Are they engaged now?"
Evelyn frowned slightly and opened her laptop.
Sure enough, the front page of the gossip portal showed a photo of Adrian gently holding her hand at the banquet, eyes locked with hers.
The caption read:
"Billionaire Adrian Blackwood Proposes to Mysterious Beauty—Ex-Wife of Noah Lancaster?"
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Seriously, this again…"
Just then, her assistant Amy rushed in, eyes wide. "Ms. Shaw, the reporters are downstairs! They want a statement!"
Evelyn sighed. "Schedule a press statement for noon. I'll clarify it myself."
Amy paused. "Are you… denying the relationship?"
Evelyn gave a faint smile. "I'll let the world wonder a little longer."
⸻
Meanwhile, Noah's mood was black as thunder.
He stared at the news article, rage boiling inside him.
"Proposed? In public?"
He grabbed his coat and stormed out of the office.
⸻
Back at the office, Evelyn stood before the cameras.
"I appreciate Mr. Blackwood's friendship," she said gracefully, "but there has been no proposal. We are not engaged."
The reporters stirred, clearly disappointed.
"However," she added with a cryptic smile, "if a proposal ever does happen… I won't reject it."
The room exploded.
Evelyn walked away with her head high, heels clicking, smile calm.
She had just thrown gasoline on the fire.
And she wanted the flames.