EVELYN’S POV

It felt like a brand-new day. After the hospital confirmed that my mother’s surgery bills were fully covered, the weight that had been crushing me for weeks suddenly lifted. For the first time in so long, I woke up without that constant gnawing fear of losing her. My heart was lighter, my steps quicker.

This relief was thanks to my boss. Sean.

I carried that thought with me as I entered the firm. For once, I wasn’t dragging myself in with heavy shoulders. Instead, I walked briskly, ready to tackle work, to prove myself, to show that I wasn’t someone who lived off pity or favors.

But the moment I stepped into the office, my good mood came crashing down.

“Evelyn.”

Vivian’s voice cut through the air like a sharp blade. She stood in front of me, arms folded, her expression already hostile.

I froze. Vivian was one of those people you instinctively wanted to avoid—her presence always carried an air of superiority, as if she owned the space around her. And now she had deliberately blocked my path.

Before I could even greet her, she sneered. “Molina told me your salary was paid in advance.”

I blinked, startled by her tone. Molina was the firm’s financial director and, from what I’d already gathered, a close friend of Vivian’s. It wasn’t surprising she had shared the information. Still, hearing it thrown at me like an accusation made my pulse quicken.

“Yes,” I said carefully.

Vivian’s lips curled, her eyes flashing with mockery. “You’ve been here less than a week. What qualifications do you have to draw your salary in advance? Or do you think the boss trusts you so much already that you’re entitled to special treatment?”

Her words rang out louder than necessary, and almost immediately, I felt the weight of gazes around the office. Colleagues turned, whispering, pretending to shuffle papers while their eyes lingered on us. My cheeks burned.

I forced myself to stay calm. “This decision was made by the boss.”

For a moment, silence stretched between us. But instead of backing off, Vivian’s anger only deepened. Her voice dripped venom. “The boss made this decision? Or did you confuse him with your mediocrity? Tell me, Evelyn—what did you use to get this favor?”

The implication stung like a slap.

I swallowed down the sharp retort bubbling inside me. She wanted a scene. She wanted me to lash out so she could twist it against me. But I remembered Sean’s earlier advice—keep your head down, don’t create unnecessary enemies.

So, I steadied my tone. “If you have any objections, Vivian, you can take it up with the boss directly. I have work to do now. Please make way.”

Her eyes narrowed, as if she wasn’t expecting me to answer so directly. For a tense second, I thought she would continue the fight. But instead, she stepped aside, muttering under her breath.

I walked past her quickly, my heart hammering. When I finally reached my desk, I exhaled slowly, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. It was draining—dealing with people like her.

Still, I reminded myself: I had this job, and I wasn’t going to let anyone push me out. Vivian’s bitterness was her problem, not mine.

I pushed the entire encounter out of my mind and focused on the task at hand: drafting a new proposal. Once my pen hit the paper, I immersed myself in ideas, determined to prove my worth through my work, not through argument

By the time the workday ended, I was more tired than usual. Just as I was packing up, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Celina.

To celebrate your new job, we’re going out tonight! Meet me at the bar, 8 p.m.

A smile tugged at my lips. Celina always knew how to lift my spirits. I texted back a quick agreement, hurried home, and changed into a dress I hadn’t worn in ages. Something elegant, something that reminded me I was still young and deserved to enjoy myself.

When I arrived at the bar, the music hit me first—loud, pulsing, and infectious. Celina was already there, waving from across the room, her energy as vibrant as always. We hugged, ordered drinks, and for the first time in weeks, I allowed myself to relax.

Between laughter, dancing, and the warmth of friendship, my burdens seemed to fade. For a while, I was just Evelyn—not the girl struggling with bills, not the employee facing hostility at work. Just me.

But peace doesn’t last long. Not for me.

Through the blur of flashing lights and moving bodies, my eyes caught sight of a booth on the far side of the room. A man sat there, surrounded by women. Beautiful, glamorous women who clung to him like ornaments. Yet, despite their laughter and gestures, his eyes weren’t on them.

They were on me.

I froze. His gaze was steady, his expression unreadable but laced with something that felt… dangerous. And when his lips curved into a faint, ambiguous smile, heat rushed to my face—not the pleasant kind, but the kind that came with anger.

Who did he think he was? Did he think I was one of those women?

I glared back, silently daring him to look away. Instead, he only smirked wider, as though amused by my reaction.

I tore my gaze away, forcing myself to ignore him. He was nothing to me. I had no time for men who thought women existed for their entertainment.

Determined to shake it off, I returned to my seat, ordered another drink, and focused on Celina’s chatter. I wrapped my fingers around the glass, sipping slowly, telling myself the night would not be ruined by one arrogant stranger.

But then, I felt it—the unmistakable presence of someone standing beside me.

I turned my head, and my heart skipped a beat.

It was him. The man from across the bar. Up close, the flashing lights revealed his features clearly—sharp jawline, piercing eyes, a self-assured posture that spoke of power and wealth. But it wasn’t just his looks that shocked me.

It was recognition.

I had seen him before. Not long ago, in Sean’s office.

My breath caught. What was he doing here? And why was he looking at me like that?