The corridor fell silent after the brief introduction.
Celina offered Evelyn a polite smile before excusing herself.
"If you'll excuse me, I still have patients waiting."
Without another word, she walked away, her footsteps fading into the distance.
Evelyn watched until Celina disappeared around the corner.
Only then did she turn back to Aaron.
"So..."
Her lips curved into a teasing smile.
"She's the famous young woman everyone in Rosewood has been talking about."
Aaron's expression remained unreadable.
"I don't pay attention to gossip."
Evelyn chuckled.
"No."
"You never do."
James glanced between them.
"I'll leave the two of you to catch up."
After he walked away, Evelyn folded her arms.
"You've changed."
Aaron looked at her.
"In what way?"
"You actually looked at someone."
He frowned slightly.
"I don't understand."
Evelyn laughed softly.
"Exactly."
"That's why you don't realize it."
Aaron said nothing.
For years, Evelyn had known him better than almost anyone.
She had watched him build walls around his heart.
She had watched him reject every woman introduced to him.
Yet today...
For the first time...
She had caught him watching someone without realizing it.
It was... interesting.
Outside the hospital...
A cool breeze swept through the gardens.
Celina sat alone on a wooden bench beneath a flowering cherry tree, eating the lunch she had packed from home.
Two slices of bread.
A boiled egg.
And a small apple.
Simple.
But enough.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, enjoying the peaceful silence.
"Mind if I join you?"
She looked up.
Aaron stood a few steps away.
Holding a cup of black coffee.
She quickly stood.
"Mr. Steel."
He gestured toward the empty bench.
"You don't have to stand."
She hesitated before sitting again.
Aaron took the opposite end of the bench, leaving a respectful distance between them.
For a few moments...
Neither of them spoke.
The only sound was the gentle rustling of leaves overhead.
Finally, Aaron broke the silence.
"You always eat alone?"
Celina smiled faintly.
"I enjoy the quiet."
"So do I."
She looked at him with mild surprise.
"I thought people like you were always busy."
His eyes remained on the garden.
"People like me?"
"Billionaires."
Aaron let out the faintest laugh.
It was so quiet she almost thought she imagined it.
"Being busy doesn't mean you stop appreciating silence."
Celina found herself smiling.
"You laughed."
Aaron turned toward her.
"Is that unusual?"
"A little."
"I've never seen you smile before."
For a brief second...
Their eyes met.
Neither looked away.
Then Aaron spoke.
"I suppose you've never given me a reason to."
The words escaped before he could stop them.
Celina blinked.
Then she laughed.
Not loudly.
Just enough to make the corners of her eyes crinkle.
"You make it sound like it's my responsibility."
"It isn't."
"But perhaps..."
"It wouldn't be the worst thing."
Aaron surprised himself again.
He wasn't usually this... relaxed.
A voice interrupted them.
"There you are!"
Ethan approached, carrying a black envelope embossed with the Steel Foundation's silver crest.
"I've been looking everywhere."
Aaron accepted the envelope before holding it out to Celina.
She looked confused.
"For me?"
He nodded.
"The Steel Foundation is hosting its annual Charity Gala this Saturday."
She stared at the envelope but made no move to take it.
"I think there's been a mistake."
"There hasn't."
"I'm just a hospital cleaner."
"And?"
She looked genuinely puzzled.
"I wouldn't fit in at an event like that."
Aaron's voice was calm.
"The gala isn't about titles."
"It's about recognizing people who make a difference."
She lowered her eyes.
"There are many people here more deserving than me."
Aaron answered without hesitation.
"Perhaps."
"But none of them are you."
The words caught her completely off guard.
She slowly accepted the invitation.
"I... I'll think about it."
"That's all I'm asking."
As Aaron and Ethan walked toward the parking lot, Ethan couldn't hold back any longer.
"Sir..."
Aaron glanced at him.
"You've attended hundreds of charity galas."
"Yes."
"I've never seen you personally invite anyone."
Aaron continued walking.
"There's a first time for everything."
Ethan smiled to himself.
Maybe...
The Ice King wasn't as untouchable as everyone believed.
That evening...
Inside a luxurious penthouse overlooking Rosewood...
Evelyn stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass of sparkling water in her hand.
Her assistant entered quietly.
"Miss Evelyn."
"The background report you requested."
He handed her a slim folder.
Evelyn didn't open it immediately.
Instead, she looked out over the glittering city lights.
"Not tonight."
The assistant looked surprised.
"You don't want to read it?"
She smiled thoughtfully.
"No."
"I'd rather meet her properly first."
She placed the folder on the table untouched.
Outside, thunder rumbled faintly in the distance.
Neither of them noticed the folder lying there...
Its top page displaying a single name in bold letters.
CELINA BAKERS
The secret hidden within those pages...
Would remain unopened.
For now.