Sebastian shot Alexander a knowing look. "What did Evelyn say?"

A wide, mischievous grin spread across Sebastian's face as he repeated Evelyn's words. "She actually assumed I was interested in her. She felt the need to inform me that she's already married and deeply in love with her husband."

His excitement was barely contained. "Did you hear that, Alexander? Straight from Evelyn herself. She thinks you're confined to a wheelchair, correct? Yet, she married you without hesitation right outside that church. Strange, isn't it? And now, barely a week into the marriage, she's already proclaiming this deep love? Seriously?"

He paused briefly before continuing. "Alexander, we've been best friends for over twenty years. You kept this huge news from me? Tell me the truth. Is what Evelyn implied accurate? Have you genuinely fallen for her this fast?"

Alexander frowned at Sebastian's relentless chatter. "Fallen for her? Don't be absurd. Stop this nonsense."

Sebastian only laughed louder. "Right, right. It's just Evelyn talking. Someone as ruthless as you falling head over heels so quickly? Highly unlikely. But Evelyn? Just a few days as your wife and she's already so devoted?"

He scrunched his brow, genuinely perplexed. "Honestly, compared to you—a wealthy man in a wheelchair—here I am. Single. Decent-looking. And let's not forget, equally wealthy. Why doesn't she develop feelings for me instead? How can she possibly be immune to my charm? It makes no logical sense."

"Are you quite finished?" Alexander asked, his expression growing impatient. "I have zero interest in matters concerning her. If you continue to delay and hinder our work with this foolishness, I will not be lenient."

His gaze was sharp and dangerous.

Recognizing Alexander's strictly business-focused demeanor, Sebastian had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and start the car's engine.

A heavy silence fell inside the vehicle.

Alexander leaned back in the rear seat, his eyes drifting to the window, lost in contemplation.

He had declared his indifference to anything related to Evelyn.

Yet, her words echoed persistently in his mind.

Evelyn believed him to be a cripple, yet she had accepted him as her husband.

She had remained completely unaffected by Sebastian's obvious attempts to charm her.

Was it possible she truly found Sebastian's appeal easy to overlook?

As he pondered this, a rare, subtle smile touched Alexander's usually stern lips, softening his entire countenance.

Evelyn feared the accident had ruined any chance of her arriving at the interview on time.

Miraculously, no further delays occurred.

She reached Aethelgard Industries precisely on schedule.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Evelyn found her way to the designated interview area.

A crowd of candidates had already gathered outside the interview room.

"Have you heard the rumor?" someone near Evelyn whispered. "I overheard that the CEO of Aethelgard Industries might make an appearance at today's interview."

Another candidate nearby gasped softly. "Truly? If that's the case, we must take this interview even more seriously."

Evelyn's interest was immediately piqued.

The CEO of Aethelgard Industries? Could it be the enigmatic founder who had built the company into a global powerhouse?

Her knowledge of him was limited to online articles; she had never seen him in person.

Suddenly, a hushed voice cut through the anticipation. "He's here! The CEO of Aethelgard Industries has just arrived!"

A few employees walking past offered respectful greetings to a man entering the area. "Good morning, Mr. Hayes."

Driven by an irresistible curiosity, Evelyn strained to see over the shoulders of the other candidates, trying to catch a glimpse of the man commanding everyone's attention.

A small entourage surrounded him as he moved through the space.

When Evelyn finally got a clear view of his face, she froze completely, utterly stunned.