The man gently stopped her, his tone unfailingly polite. “It’s alright. You don’t need to be so nervous. Really, I should have warned you.”
As he spoke, he slipped off his suit jacket.
Evangeline glanced up, finally getting a good look at his face.
He was strikingly handsome, with a pair of gold–rimmed glasses perched on his straight nose that lent him an air of refinement and warmth. Everything about him radiated class and quiet confidence. Yet when Evangeline met his eyes, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the calm exterior didn’t quite match what was beneath the surface.
“Finn,” he said, as if he’d noticed her scrutiny. He offered her his hand with an easy
smile.
Was he with the Lockridge family?
Evangeline hesitated for a split second.
Catching herself, she quickly reached out and shook his hand. “Evangeline.”
Finn’s smile deepened. “I’ve heard so much about you, Miss Whitmore. You know, I’ve met plenty of beautiful women here in Serenity City and abroad, but you’re… different. There’s something so natural about your beauty–it just draws people in.”
His tone was genuinely admiring.
ID I B
And he wasn’t exaggerating. Evangeline was, in fact, stunning.
Her features were clean and striking, almost luminous, with sharply defined cheekbones and a delicate jaw. She was radiant, but not intimidating–her elegance softened by the understated grace of her gown. Tonight, the dress suited her perfectly, accentuating every bit of her charm and allure..
It was a rare blend: bold sensuality paired with a quiet, unspoken warmth.
Finn had met his share of beautiful women, but he couldn’t deny–Evangeline was truly exceptional.
She offered a polite thank you, but her gaze drifted to the jacket now draped over his arm. “Let me transfer you the cleaning fee. Just give me your account number.” Thinking of the cost made her wince a little inside.
11:39
Chapter 91
But she could tell at a glance–Finn’s jacket was custom–made, definitely not something you could just toss in a washer.
Finn merely chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a jacket. If it got wet because of a beautiful woman, I’d say it’s an honor.”
The line could have sounded sleazy.
Evangeline had heard plenty of rich boys flirt in similar ways, but when Finn said it, it somehow didn’t feel off–putting.
Still, she’d dealt with the Lockridges before.
No one in that family was easy to handle.
She paused, then replied evenly, “Thank you for the compliment. But I don’t like owing people favors.”
“Is that so?” Finn rested his chin on his index finger, pretending to ponder. “Well, if you insist on compensating me, how about we strike a deal instead?”
“What kind of deal?” Evangeline asked.
“I overheard you’re looking for investors for UME,” Finn said. “As it happens, I’m intrigued. Why don’t we sit down and talk? Maybe become friends.”
Evangeline couldn’t quite figure out what his angle was.
Anyone offering cooperation so easily was rarely sincere.
She smiled, polite but distant. “There’s no need. UME isn’t so desperate that we have to take money from just anyone. Since Mr. Lockridge is generous enough not to need compensation, I won’t press the matter.”
With that, she turned to leave.
Finn showed no sign of annoyance. He called after her, his tone calm and measured, “With Fawkes Enterprises‘ presence in Serenity City, it’ll be nearly impossible for UME to secure local investment in the next year. If you want to attract funding from elsewhere, it’ll take at least a month, probably longer.”
“And with UME just returning to the country, things are already unstable. Given your current burn rate, do you really think you can last a month without new capital?”
Evangeline froze mid–step.
He knew exactly what he was talking about. Clearly, he’d done his homework on UME. Maybe his offer wasn’t just casual small talk after all.
2/3
Chapter 91
Noticing that she’d stopped, Finn’s lips curled ever so slightly, as if he’d gotten exactly what he wanted. “Miss Whitmore, I have three very compelling reasons for you to consider working with me. If you’re not in a rush, why not hear me out?”
