Chapter 36
Walden paused, and Evalina kept giving him those meaningful looks.
Walden let out a dry chuckle. “Well, we don’t actually know who they are. Just email back and forth. The payments go to some foreign account, so we’re in the dark about their identity.”
Jasper sighed. From abroad, huh? Guess we’re out of luck figuring out who they are for now.”
Hugo pondered for a second, then said, “Can you hook me up with their email?”
“Sure thing,” Walden said, handing over an old group email they used back in their school days. It shouldn’t cause any issues now.
With the email in hand, Hugo and Jasper were ready to head out.
Elite Architectural Design was a small fry in the industry, only a couple of years old. Hugo glanced around, looking at it like it was just a tiny mom- and–pop shop, his expression cold and unimpressed.
Walden and Evalina finally relaxed when Jasper and Hugo left.
Then Jacob came rushing in, all hyped up. “Hugo just showed up! We were all like, ‘Is this for real?‘ Thought maybe it was some Hugo lookalike at first. But as soon as he started talking, we knew it was him.
“I wonder what he wants. You think he’s here to invest in our company? ‘Cause if he is, we’d be set!”
Walden cut him off. “Come on, get real. He explained why Hugo had really come by.
Jacob’s face fell. “Man, I was thinking we were gonna make it big. What a letdown.”
Walden ignored him and turned to Evalina, looking curious.
When they were alone, he asked, “Evalina, Hugo came here because of your design. They seem really into it. Why not just tell them who you really are? You could get a job at Hugo’s company. It’s a top firm, and I bet they pay well and have great benefits.”
Evalina let out a small, bitter laugh. ‘If he knew it was me, he’d probably try to crush me. Knowing how much he dislikes me, he’d probably do everything he could to ruin my career.
I’m actually glad I never told him what I studied. He’d never guess that a woman who seems so put–together and capable would be into architectural design.
“I have my reasons, Walden,” Evalina said softly. “I just think keeping a low profile is better for me. I want to focus on designing without all the extra drama
Walden nodded, remembering how Evalina had always been a hardworking, design–focused, and quiet type in school. Now, choosing to keep her identity a secret must be for a reason.
Although he felt it was a pity, Walden still respected Evalina’s decision. “You’re right. I understand. Don’t worry; I’ll help you keep your identity a
secret.
Just then, the assistant burst back in, all excited. “Mr. Clarke, Hugo’s secretary just called! They’re really interested in our company and might want
to invest!”
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