e flickered through Natalia's eyes, only to vanish as her lips

Evans," she replied lightly. "Alexander

ing something that had nothing to do with her at all. "At t

f moment, its intensity cutting deep, as if it could s

thout flinching, her expr

s long fingers giving a light, measured t

are hired," he said calmly. "Emilio, escor

r, stepped forward with quiet

.

ith Emilio, the door to

a brisk pace, curiosity written plainly across h

y, only a slight nod that signaled

h as his fingers moved. "I glanced at her earlier, and she felt familiar. Right, I remem

ng the silence. "That organization has been stirring again in Egonio recently," he said evenly. "A

ardened with underst

rted to a guest room located on th

istakable luxury. Compared to the so-called home she had shared w

all welcoming gathering in the back garden this evening," she said politely. "It is being held in honor of Mr. Chris

he room fell quiet, a subtle gli

art

e an ideal chance to observe the manor's layout

er, slipped into an understated black dress

rass, a sharp yet unmistakably familiar

darkened expression, while Aimee clung to his arm, her grip possessive, he

This is the Evans family estate, the most distinguished household in all of Egonio.

dripping from her voice. "Do not tell me you sneaked in

ander's expression

you show even a shred of dignity? We finalized our divorce yesterday, and today

uld fully settle, a sharp, unmistakabl

ce plunged into c

and slowly, her eyes

liberate calm. "Get a grip on yourself and mind your words. If you are in

of Alexander's restraint. "How dar

blazing in his eyes as he surged

crease formed between her brows, irritation flickeri

irst day at Evans Manor would on

, she sent them one final, frost-laced

xander shouted after he

n Alexander's path. His manner remained courteous, yet unmistakably detached. "Beyond this point li

.

the air hung thi

rinted document across t

raised in the countryside by her grandmother, performed decently in school, nothing that stands out. Three years earli

swept through the contents at a gl

ng even how many times Natalia had received commenda

read like a personal profile that had b

pher's attention and held it. "Tr

rd "transferred," tapping once as a t

h grade up until her return to Egonio at nineteen," he said even