The unbuttoned buttons, the strained voice, and the intimacy shown for my benefit.
Evelyn Clayton could tell even with her knee that Clara Yates was doing this on purpose.
Just as she was wondering whether to pretend to be jealous and play along with Clara’s enthusiastic performance, James Grant spoke calmly, "Clara Yates, do you know how to speak? If your brain’s not working, fine, but is your mouth crooked too?"
Clara Yates felt both aggrieved and upset.
Who didn’t know that James Grant was open to everyone? Wasn’t he just humiliating her by suggesting she wasn’t even qualified to catch his eye?
The atmosphere seemed to freeze.
Evelyn was the first to speak, "Are we just going to stand here in the doorway catching cold?"
"The private room I’ve booked is inside." Clara Yates led the way, unwillingly listening to James and Evelyn flirting behind her. This update is available on noⅴelfire.net
"Why rush? You didn’t even fix your collar before leaving. Good thing we’re not meeting anyone important today."
From the reflection in the glass window, Clara saw James adjusting Evelyn’s clothes, and her jealousy burned even more fiercely.
"You rushed me, and now you’re pretending to be considerate."
Clara Yates suppressed her displeasure, and as soon as they entered the private room, she gracefully sat beside James Grant.
"James, I remember you love the martinis here the most. I asked the owner to save this one for you; do try it, see if it’s to your liking."
As she spoke, Clara pressed her ample chest toward James.
Evelyn had taken it all in but maintained a serene smile throughout, without intervening.
On the leather sofa, James Grant raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze falling on the clear wine glass on the dimly lit table, his tone casual yet carrying a chilling undertone.
"No need, just get me a cup of black tea."
Clara Yates almost wavered as she poured the wine, finding it hard to believe.
James remained calm and composed.
Beside him, Evelyn almost couldn’t suppress her smile, and a peculiar joy crept into her heart.
After repeated overtures failed to win over James, Clara dared not test his patience further, so she ordered three cups of black tea from the waiter.
Seeing the atmosphere seemed to ease somewhat, Clara gathered her courage and spoke again, "James, do you remember the cooperation I discussed with the Donovan Family last year?"
The way she initiated the topic was painfully awkward.
James raised an eyebrow, "What about it?"
"It’s strange. The cooperation was going well, about to start running officially, but Duke suddenly terminated it early for no apparent reason! Do you think he’s gotten infatuated with some beauty lately, too distracted to handle the company’s affairs?"
Clara tried to make her tone sound as natural as possible.
But the deeper meaning wasn’t lost on James and Evelyn.
The two exchanged a glance, and James slightly straightened up, wrapping a large hand around Evelyn’s waist, giving it a light squeeze.
"Speaking of which, a particular saying comes to mind."
Seeing the playful smile in James’s eyes, Evelyn almost instantly understood his thoughts.
"What is it?" Evelyn followed his lead.
"Raising an army in anger for a beauty," James laughed gently, lightly lifting Evelyn’s delicate chin, with intoxicating warmth in his eyes.
"The only thing that can make a man turn his back is a woman."