Leo Lawrence's tone finally returned to normal. He sounded very happy.
After hanging up, Evelyn Grant saw the messages Yara Summers had sent her.
"Why was there a man's voice? It sounded quite nice."
"Was that Mr. Keaton?! You should've aimed the camera at him to let me have a look."
"Does this mean I can now say my best friend's connections extend all the way to the Keaton Family in Veridia?!"
"Wait, did Mr. Keaton come to your room looking for you?"
"Girl, I don't approve of two-timing, but for you, I think I could learn to accept it."
Evelyn Grant: "..."
'Her head was starting to throb.'
She tapped back, exasperated, "Do you have any idea who Mr. Keaton is? Would I dare get involved with someone like him?"
Still, she decided to explain, lest Yara's imagination run wild. "Mr. Keaton just knocked to call me for dinner. Don't let your imagination run wild."
Yara Summers didn't reply, probably busy celebrating with Ryan Hayes.
The rain drizzled all night, only stopping the next morning when the sky cleared.
The temperature dropped sharply after the rain.
Evelyn Grant changed into the yellow sweater she had brought, pairing it with a white, lacy tiered miniskirt. Grabbing a small bag, she got ready to go out and explore.
Yara Summers had traveled to Veridia before and told her about a dessert shop with delicious treats. Having a major sweet tooth, Evelyn planned to check it out.
She called Butler Shaw on the house phone ahead of time. When she stepped out, a Maybach was already waiting, and they had even assigned her a driver.
The dessert shop was in Centrium.
"The master is in Centrium as well," Butler Shaw suddenly piped up with a smile.
Evelyn Grant tilted her head in confusion but said nothing. Long after the car had pulled away, she was still mulling it over.
'Apex's headquarters were in Centrium. When Preston Keaton wasn't traveling for business, he spent most of his time at the company. She was no different from any of his employees, and what employee goes out of their way to run into their boss?'
It was early October, a public holiday, so everywhere was packed with people. Fortunately, the weather wasn't hot, so even waiting in line wasn't too unbearable.
She had arrived relatively early, so she was only a few people from the front of the line.
She ordered a mango sago and a cheese and fresh milk tart. The texture was smooth and creamy, sweet but not cloying. It was even more delicious than she'd expected.
Before leaving, she bought an extra milk tart to eat later.
The central business district was a hub of activity, filled with tourists and employees from the surrounding skyscrapers. She wondered if she should buy some gifts for her friends back in Kryllos, hesitating over whether to do it now or just before she left. After a few minutes of contemplation, she felt two light taps on her shoulder.
She looked up and was met with a face beaming with enthusiasm.
"Are you lost?" The man's Mandarin wasn't perfect, but he was very enthusiastic. He could tell at a glance she was a tourist from the Midlands. "Where are you trying to go? I can take you."
Evelyn Grant shook her head instinctively and offered a polite smile. "That's alright, thank you. I know where I'm going."
The man let out a small "Oh," looking slightly disappointed. "You look pretty young. Are you by yourself? Why don't we exchange contact information? If you run into any trouble in Veridia, you can call me anytime."
"..."
'So he was hitting on her.'
She opened her mouth to refuse, but a cool, detached voice suddenly sounded from behind her.
"Evelyn Grant."
The voice was quiet and deliberate, making her spine instantly go rigid.
Trembling, she turned around. Preston Keaton stood about five meters away. His jaw was sharp and his tone was level, but it held an undercurrent of authority. "Come here."
'She couldn't tell if it was her imagination, but the man's expression seemed a bit dark.'
'Of all the people to run into, she never imagined it would be him.'
Evelyn Grant turned back to the first man. "The person I'm waiting for is here."
The man didn't dare say another word. It was obvious the other person was not someone he could afford to provoke. He managed a smile, said goodbye, and left dejectedly.
Preston Keaton remained impassive, watching coolly as the girl walked step by step until she was right in front of him.
His gaze drifted downward. Her slender, pale legs were long and delicate, her knees tinged with a faint blush, as if from the wind.
Like a frightened little quail, she hung her head and mumbled, "Mr. Keaton," then waited for him to dismiss her.
Wyatt Walsh spoke in a low voice, "Sir, we should be going."
A motorcade was waiting not far away.
Evelyn Grant figured he had to leave for work, but before she could enjoy the thought for more than a second, Preston Keaton suddenly asked, "Have you had lunch?"
It wasn't even noon yet; saying she had eaten would be a blatant lie.
She shook her head instinctively. Just as she was about to say she wasn't hungry, the man grunted, "Come with me."
Sitting in the Rolls-Royce, Evelyn Grant was still stunned. Her mind was a chaotic blank, leaving her feeling completely bewildered.
The motorcade cruised down the bustling streets, attracting the attention of tourists. Other vehicles didn't dare get too close, keeping a respectful distance even when stopped at traffic lights.
It was so quiet in the car that their breathing was clearly audible. The cold, oppressive aura radiating from the man beside her was suffocating. His eyelids were lowered, obscuring his emotions.
Evelyn Grant shrank into her corner, her hand unconsciously tightening its grip on the bag with the milk tart. She glanced awkwardly at Preston Keaton and spoke softly.
"Mr. Keaton, where are we going?"
Though she was a stranger to Veridia, she could tell this wasn't the road back to The Mid-Levels.
Preston Keaton was looking down at the documents in his hands. His tone was neutral. "To get lunch."
His long fingers flipped over a page. He paused, his chin dipping slightly as he asked nonchalantly, "That man just now, did you know him?"
It was a very ordinary question.
"I don't know him. I think he was hitting on me."
"He was very enthusiastic at first; even I thought he was just being exceptionally kind," Evelyn Grant admitted. "He said I looked young and that we should exchange numbers in case I had any problems."
"I refused."
The tension around Preston Keaton's eyes eased slightly as his gaze fell upon her.
'Twenty-three. An age of vibrant beauty, lively and playful. On the streets of Veridia, she was as eye-catching as a vividly blooming flower.'
He retracted his gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. He calmly lowered his head to continue reading, his voice deep and languid. "You really are young. Just a kid."
The three words rolled off his tongue, elegant yet tinged with a hint of inexplicable softness.
Evelyn Grant froze. Her heart hammered in her chest, inexplicably scalded by those three words. She pursed her lips, wanting to say something, but ultimately held her tongue.
'Preston Keaton was six years older than her. It was perfectly reasonable for him to call her that.'
When the motorcade arrived at the restaurant, Evelyn Grant looked down at the milk tart in her hand. After a moment's consideration, she decided to bring it inside with her.
Preston Keaton said in a gentle voice, "Stay with me once we're inside. Don't wander off."
She was still puzzled, but as they entered a private dining room and the people around a large, round table abruptly rose to their feet, Evelyn Grant finally realized this was a business dinner.
'And by the looks of it, a very important one at that.'
Perhaps not expecting Preston Keaton to bring a young woman, the guests all looked surprised. But they reacted in a flash, clearing a space for her right next to the seat of honor.