Business and Passion

Introduction: Evelyn's life is crumbling around her—her brother was wrongfully imprisoned, her father was incapacitated by a stroke, and her family's business was on the brink of bankruptcy. All this chaos has been masterfully orchestrated by her fiancé, Herman. In her darkest hour, she turns to Chris, a wealthy heir, for help. He uses her as a shield to ward off unwanted attention without promising any real support. Unwilling to accept this passive role, Evelyn cunningly adopts the title of Chris' girlfriend to leverage his social connections for her own ends. Finally, Chris corners her and teases, "Well, look who it is. Isn't this my fiancée to whom I am never engaged?" Evelyn felt as if she had descended into hell itself. Flames danced and devoured everything around her, leaving her trapped in a suffocatingly small space. Every nerve ending in her body screamed in agony, and each breath was a struggle against the searing heat. The relentless inferno and dehydration were stealing her sanity, leaving only raw instinct as she clawed desperately at her clothes. Evelyn, accustomed to a life of privilege and ease, had never experienced such excruciating pain before. She pouted as tears streamed down her face, the unfairness of it all overwhelming her. Just six months ago, Evelyn's life seemed like a fairy tale. As the heiress to the Dexys Group and the most beautiful woman in Rhine City, she had it all, including a picture-perfect romance. But her world shattered overnight. Her brother was framed and imprisoned. Her father suffered a devastating stroke. And Hermann, the man she trusted and loved most in the world, turned out to be the catalyst for it all. The betrayal was devastating, turning her once sweet love story into a bitter feud. Now, as she faced this hellish nightmare, Evelyn couldn't help but wonder how everything had gone so terribly wrong. Everyone said Dexys Group was finished. Suppliers were banging down the door, demanding their money. Cash flow had dried up completely. She shouldered the burden alone, standing firm against immense pressure. They said a woman couldn't make much of a splash—it was just the final struggle before death. But she refused to give them the satisfaction. She was tough, decisive. She was determined to prove she was second to none. She gritted her teeth and pushed on. Even when sickness wracked her body, she didn't dare complain to anyone. But who wouldn't crave a little tenderness, a comforting hand when they're down? The heat was relentless, the thin air leaving her gasping for breath. "Help!" she cried out, desperately hoping someone would come to her rescue. Suddenly, a name flashed in her mind. "Chris!" In the distance, a hazy male figure appeared. She couldn't see his face clearly, but something deep inside told her this was her savior. The man approached step by step. When he touched her feverish skin, his hand felt refreshingly cool. Evelyn clung to him desperately, like a fish gasping for air finally returned to the water. "Chris..." she murmured, eyes closed, holding onto him as if her life depended on it. She called out the name again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Evelyn, open your eyes," the man said softly, his lips brushing hers in a tender kiss. At that moment, Evelyn's eyes snapped open. She threw off the heavy blanket, realizing it had been completely covering her. No wonder she felt like she was suffocating in the heat. ‘Wait a minute, what exactly have I been dreaming about?’ Evelyn's cheeks flushed as she replayed the dream's details. ‘How could I dream about a complete stranger? And he even kissed me...’ She shook her head, trying to banish those inappropriate thoughts. But the name Chris echoed in her mind. It felt familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. "Where have I heard that name before?" Evelyn muttered, her brow furrowed in concentration. The memory was just out of reach, teasing her. She knew it was significant, but the connection remained elusive. ***** A few days later, outside the Serena Club, Evelyn was blocked by the host outside the entrance. "Sorry, madam, you can't enter without an invitation," the host said politely yet firmly. Evelyn remained composed, biding her time. Being barred from entry was new, but she had a purpose tonight and was determined to get in. Usually, guests arrived at such events with a date, and Evelyn figured she'd have to wait for a lone gentleman to show up. Hopefully, luck would be on her side tonight. "Please, come in, sir," the host greeted a man passing by Evelyn's side. The man was dressed in a sharp black suit, his shirt casually unbuttoned at the top, his striking features enhanced by the lighting. This was her chance. Evelyn instinctively hooked her arm through his, giving the host a flawless smile. "We're together. He’s my date." Internally, Evelyn was nervous, hoping this gentleman wouldn't expose her ruse. Alone at a party, he probably wouldn't refuse a woman's company, right? Simultaneously, the man turned to look at her. Her stunning face shocked him, reviving his deepest memory. 'It's her...' Recognizing who she was, he hesitated to pull away his hand. Evelyn held his arm, her fair skin a stark contrast to his black suit. They were so close that his chin would brush against her nose if she turned to look at him. Evelyn felt the man's eyes on her for a fleeting moment. Even though their gazes never met, the intensity of his stare was palpable. Her skin prickled with heat under his scrutiny. This man gave her a sense of danger. "Sir, is this lady with you?" the host asked with a hint of uncertainty. The man smiled but didn't deny it. "Sir, thank you for your help," Evelyn said as soon as they stepped into the banquet hall. She quickly withdrew her arm, gracefully curtsying to thank him before preparing to leave. But her arm was caught firmly. "Just a 'thank you'?" Caught off balance by his grip, Evelyn nearly stumbled into him. 'What? What is he trying to do?' She frowned slightly, looking up at him. "Is there something else, sir?" He licked his teeth thoughtfully as if weighing his words, but in the end, he decided not to reveal his secret for now. He cleared his throat and quipped with a playful tone, "Let me think." Evelyn scoffed internally, "Take your time then." She nodded politely and turned to leave, the brief gratitude she had felt for his assistance evaporating instantly. 'What an odd man,' she thought. Evelyn pondered whether she had seen him before. But if she had, such a distinctive face would surely leave an impression. Despite his odd behavior, he was undoubtedly handsome and had a great figure. His tailor-made suit highlighted his outline perfectly... Evelyn shook her head to clear her thoughts. She didn't have time for distractions; she needed to find that one person crucial to her plans. The Melon family was ruthless in their tactics to acquire Dexys Group at a bargain, so her time was running out. In Rhine City, only the Kensingtons could provide the substantial investment Dexys needed. Now, small investments of millions were merely a drop in the bucket, and Evelyn needed at least hundreds of millions to turn the table. However, the only possible investor in the whole city was the Kensington family, known for their immense wealth. Tonight, she was determined to meet Chris Kensington, the reclusive heir of the Kensington family rumored to be at the event. The name she had called out in her dream that day was indeed "Chris". It wasn't until she asked her assistant that she remembered - this was the new heir to the Kensington family, whom the shareholders had mentioned during a previous meeting. Perhaps that strange dream was truly a sign from heaven. Chris could be the one to pull her out of this nightmare. Evelyn pondered this, a mix of hope and uncertainty swirling in her mind. Could a man she barely knew be the answer to her problems? The supplier she had cooperated with for years, Dean Clay, had promised to introduce her to Chris. Picking up her pace, she knew she couldn't let him wait for long. As she hurried off, the man tried to follow but was stopped. "Mr. Kensington, what a surprise to see you here!" someone called out to him, making him turn around. Many guests were eager to connect with the influential Kensington family. Despite his evident displeasure, Chris had to socialize with them. As he conversed, his gaze wandered through the crowd, landing on Evelyn. "Dean, do you think there's a chance to delay the payment?" Evelyn asked, trying to charm the old friend who had known her father for years. "I'm not the decision-maker here," Dean began. "The Kensington family is the biggest shareholder of Clay Corporation. Only with their permission can I..." Before he could finish, Evelyn understood that these seasoned players of the business world wouldn't easily grant favors to someone of her standing. "You mentioned introducing me to Mr. Chris Kensington earlier. Is now a good time?" That was Evelyn's purpose for attending tonight's event. Dean looked puzzled. "Haven't you two met already?" Evelyn was confused. She didn't recall meeting anyone from the Kensington family. "Didn't you walk in with him just now?" Dean asked again. "What? He's Chris Kensington?" Evelyn exclaimed, stunned by the revelation. She glanced back, searching for Chris, but he had vanished from the banquet hall without a trace. "I saw him heading to the VIP lounge," Dean shrugged, "but that's a gathering spot for the younger crowd. I don't belong there." "Thank you, I'll take my leave now. I'll visit you another time!" After expressing her gratitude to Dean, Evelyn quickly made her way to the VIP lounge. She sighed to herself, 'Alas... If I knew he was Chris Kensington, I would been more engaging with him just now.' As Evelyn entered the opulent VIP lounge, her alluring eyes scanned the room, immediately locking onto the man dressed in black who sat in the middle. It was indeed him. Chris casually took a cigarette from his pack but didn't light it, just holding it between his teeth with a lazy smile. That dangerous feeling crept back in. The moment Evelyn stepped into the private room, she felt like prey caught in his trap. She instinctively stopped, taking a deep breath. When Evelyn looked up again, her smile was captivating, full of allure. Her voice took on a soft, seductive tone as she spoke, "Mr. Kensington, what a pleasant surprise."