Chapter 35
Evalina’s heart skipped a beat. If Hugo found out she was helping Walden with his work, he’d been pretty ticked at her lately. And maybe he would take it out on the whole company.
Walden was quick to react. “Mr. Hayes, Mr. Blackwood, surprise visits are always welcome,” he said, trying to keep the mood light.
He’d been in the game long enough to know how to handle surprises.
Hugo glanced at Evalina, but when Walden spoke, he shook his hand, even though he didn’t look too thrilled about it.
Jasper looked at Evalina, shocked. “What’s the deal here…?” he asked.
Evalina quickly spoke up. “I’m Mr. Walden Clarke’s secretary. Pleasure to meet you both,” she said, trying to smooth things over.
Hearing that, Jasper glanced at Hugo, who hadn’t said a word.
Walden could tell the mood was getting weird. “You guys know each other?” he asked, trying to figure out what was going on.
“No, never met,” Evalina and Hugo both said at the same time, then looked at each other.
The room got even more awkward in an instant.
Evalina smiled and said, “Mr. Clarke, you’re really something else. Those two are big shots in town. If I knew them, I’d be sipping cocktails on a beach, not typing up reports for you.”
Hugo just gave a short laugh, “Never seen her before. Can’t remember faces like hers.”
Walden raised an eyebrow. Evalina had been the belle of their school ball. Even if Hugo wasn’t bowled over–considering he’d likely seen his fair share of beauties–she was way more than just another face in the crowd.
Evalina chuckled, “Well, I’m the kind of woman whose husband wants to leave her for someone else. A high–flyer like Mr. Hayes wouldn’t waste a glance on me.”
Walden didn’t think she should bring this up now and quickly jumped in, “Yeah, Evalina just went through a tough divorce. She got played by a real piece of work and is still sorting through it, so cut her some slack on the bluntness.”
Hugo, the guy who’d wronged her looked a bit put out.
“Whoops, why am I bringing up that scumbag in front of Mr. Hayes? My bad,” Evalina added with a sheepish grin.
Hugo wanted to growl at her through clenched teeth and just held his anger back.
But Evalina stayed cool as a cucumber. “Anyway, what brings you two to our little company to see Mr. Clarke?”
Jasper piped up. “We heard you guys have a top–notch architectural designer and we just had to come see for ourselves.”
Top–notch designer?‘ Walden wondered and glanced over at Evalina.
Evalina looked back at Walden, a bit taken aback.
Walden picked up on it. “Oh, this designer isn’t on our books, but we do team up with them.”
Jasper’s face fell a bit. “Not in–house? Have you met them? We saw their work and it reminded us of a legendary designer, Fate. Wonder if they could be the same.”
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