Chapter 38
Evalina walked out and checked her old email. Sure enough, Jasper had zipped her a message, straight–up asking if she was game to meet.
She took a sec and then clacked out a reply: [Sorry, I’m overseas, Meeting up isn’t gonna happen.]
Jasper scanned her response, his eyes lighting up. “Hey, they got back to me,” he said, a little bummed. “But they’re overseas and can’t do the meet”
“Overseas?” Hugo said, his voice casual but curious. “What part of the world? It’s gotta be butt–crack of dawn if they’re far away now?
Jasper shrugged. “Maybe some time zone around? Or… designers are all about working late, right? Could be they’re just night owls.”
Hugo nodded thoughtfully. “This designer’s a bit off–kilter. And lay off the ‘Fate‘ thing. We don’t know who they really are yet. Keep an eye on this project. I wanna see what they’re really up to.”
Then Hugo tossed in, “Let’s hustle on getting invested in Walden’s company. No more dilly–dallying”
Jasper’s eyes went wide at the news–they were really gonna throw down on investing in Walden’s company.
Evalina was in the dark about all that. She got home, whipped out her canvas, and started sketching away. The next day, she passed some blueprints to Walden.
“Evalina, you’re still cranking out those drawings at warp speed,” Walden said, scanning the pages.
“My family just tanked financially, and I’m in a cash crunch,” Evalina said, a bit embarrassed.
“No prob, I’ll line up more gigs for you,” Walden said, giving her a nod.
Just as they were about to bail, Jacob, the assistant, barreled in. “Sir, Mr. Hayes is here.”
Hugo? Walden said, “What’s Mr. Hayes doing here himself?”
Evalina cursed quietly. ‘What’s his angle, really?‘
“I’ll go see what he wants,” Walden said.
Evalina thought for a sec. If Hugo was coming for her, dodging him would be pointless. She might as well face him. “I’ll come with you.”
They headed to the conference room.
Hugo stood up as they walked in. “Mr. Clarke, here’s the contract for that investment we discussed. Take a look.”
Just a contract? Couldn’t he have sent someone else for this minor thing?‘ Despite his thought, Walden smiled and took it, sitting down to check it out. “Mr. Hayes, you really go the extra mile.”
Evalina stood nearby, watching the scene unfold.
Hugo grinned. “So, Evalina, how much do you make here?”
“Starting at 5 thousand, Evalina said, looking him in the eye.
“Not bad for a secretary. Makes me wonder what sets her apart that you’re so generous, Mr. Clarke,” Hugo said, his tone a bit off.
Walden raised an eyebrow. Hugo’s interest in Evalina was a bit much and he just sounded weird. Walden replied, “Don’t sell Evalina short. She’s a Havenbay University grad-”
“Mr. Clarke–Evalina tried to stop him, but it was too late.
with a double degree. She’s way overqualified to be just my secretary, Walden finished.
Evalina looked away. She’d never told Hugo about her education during their marriage. He had no idea she went to Havenbay University. She never thought he’d find out like this after they split.
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Chapter 38
Sure enough. Hugo’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘A Havenbay University grad? That’s one of the best colleges here. And….. And I have no clue about
that at all‘
“Really? Evalina, the brainy one…” Hugo repeated, still processing.
Evalina glared at him. “What’s the big deal, Mr. Hayes? Think I’m not the real deal?”
Hugo shook off his surprise, his eyes half–smiling. “A Havenbay University grad working as a secretary for five grand? Seems like a waste of talent.
“It’s just the internship phase. Lower pay is standard,” Evalina explained.
Walden watched the exchange, puzzled by Hugo’s fixation on Evalina’s background. But he didn’t dwell on it. “I’ve looked over the contract. Everything looks good. Thanks for trusting our company, Mr. Hayes.”
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