The silence stretched on for so long his subordinates were sure Theodore had decided not to speak.

Then, a sudden burst of laughter shattered the quiet.

His team exchanged startled glances. Had they heard correctly?

They turned to look at Theodore, who was lounging on the sofa. To their shock, he was wearing a broad, genuine smile.

What was going on? Had their boss finally lost it?

He had just been thoroughly chastised by the very woman who saved his life. Yet here he was, laughing.

Were they about to become the targets of his misplaced anger?

Contrary to their fears, Theodore was in a genuinely good mood.

After years of searching across continents, he had finally found her. The woman who had pulled him from the wreckage all those years ago.

Now that he knew her identity and her location, an unprecedented patience settled over him. He could wait.

Still, Theodore hadn't anticipated Evelyn would have such a fiery spirit.

But when it came to Evelyn, he found it remarkably easy to make excuses for her. She had a profound effect on his emotions.

The only thing that truly nagged at him was her immediate rejection. The way she had dismissed his invitation so outright.

Was it because he hadn't revealed who he was immediately?

He had thought it would be a pleasant surprise.

The more he dwelled on it, the more it irritated him. He turned to his team. "Why do you suppose Evelyn blocked my number?"

He felt he had been nothing but gentle and patient during their call.

His subordinates froze, caught off guard by the question.

The answer seemed obvious. An unknown number calls, makes a vague invitation... who wouldn't block it?

Though the thought was unanimous, voicing it was a different matter. Honesty could be dangerous.

One subordinate chose his words carefully. "Perhaps she's simply overwhelmed, sir. We uncovered that major plagiarism scandal linked to her recently. That must be causing immense pressure. She likely has no mental space for anything else. Don't overthink it, Boss. Evelyn isn't upset with you. She's just preoccupied with her own troubles."

Theodore listened, then gave a slow, thoughtful nod.

He found the explanation somewhat satisfactory.

"You have a valid point." His forehead creased in thought. "What is the status of those individuals causing trouble?"

The damaging articles about Evelyn had been weighing heavily on his mind.

How dare they slander her character so viciously?

If his attention hadn't been entirely consumed by winning her back, he would have already ensured those people faced severe repercussions for targeting Evelyn.

One subordinate promptly answered, "Evelyn's former manager and her coworker were both terminated by Aethelgard Industries. Regarding Cassandra Sterling, she is currently detained by the police, pending a full investigation."

At the mention of that name, Theodore's eyes flashed with pure disgust. "Cassandra Sterling..."

Another subordinate, assuming Theodore needed a reminder, began to explain, "She was the one who attempted to drug you at the gala..."

Theodore cut him off with a sharp glare. "That's enough."

After that incident, Theodore had promptly arranged for Cassandra's return to Crestwood.

The mere memory of her pathetic attempt to seduce him was enough to turn his stomach.

A sudden realization struck Theodore, shifting his expression.

"Incidentally, wasn't Cassandra rather close to the founder of Aethelgard Industries? Now that she's embroiled in this scandal, won't that person intervene to assist her?"