Theodore studied Evelyn with an appraising look.

"Impressive," he stated calmly.

"You actually passed my test."

Evelyn blinked, completely bewildered.

She stared at him as if he'd lost his mind.

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

"If you had agreed to marry me and abandoned your husband, I would have been deeply disappointed."

A slow smile touched his lips.

"But you are still the same woman who saved me all those years ago. You haven't changed at all."

His smile widened confidently.

"You may not want to marry me now, and that's acceptable."

His voice dropped to a low, certain tone.

"Sooner or later, you will fall for me. It's inevitable."

Evelyn was rendered speechless.

She let out a short, disbelieving laugh and shot him a look of pure scorn.

"You're completely insane."

She had no intention of remaining another second.

She turned swiftly, yanked the door open, and strode out without a backward glance.

Outside, Daniel was startled by her abrupt exit.

He hurried into the room.

"Sir, Ms. Rossi just left like that? Shouldn't you go after her? She seemed genuinely angry."

Theodore gave a lazy, knowing smirk.

His gaze drifted to an abstract painting on the wall.

"She can't run forever."

Daniel fell silent for a moment, choosing his words carefully.

"Tonight was a perfect chance. You should have tried to keep her here longer. After searching for her all these years..."

"I had no desire to let her leave," Theodore replied, his voice even.

"But it was obvious she didn't wish to stay. I could see she was ready to fight her way out if necessary."

Daniel was at a loss for a response.

Why was Evelyn suddenly so defensive around his boss?

Had he known about the sudden marriage proposal, he might have mustered the courage to question Theodore's methods.

What sane person proposes to a woman they've just reconnected with, especially when she's married?

But Daniel remained unaware of the specifics.

Theodore's next words were deliberate and measured.

"She has a fierce spirit. Trying to force her to stay would have backfired spectacularly."

Daniel paused, then nodded slowly.

"That's true, sir."

"There's no need to rush. Given time, Evelyn will come around," Theodore said, a deep, confident chuckle rumbling in his chest.

A faint frown briefly crossed Daniel's face.

Come around?

Hadn't his boss just described her as strong-willed?

He dismissed the thought as he observed Theodore's utterly self-assured smile.

It was better not to question his boss's convoluted plans.

Perhaps Theodore had finally decided on a more strategic approach.

Evelyn arrived home safely, but a deep unease settled in her chest.

Normally, seeing someone she had helped in the past doing so well should have been a happy occasion.

She never expected the encounter to take such a bizarre turn.

What would Theodore Vance do next?

During dinner, Alexander noticed Evelyn spacing out occasionally.

He felt compelled to ask, "Evelyn, is everything alright? You seem distant. Have you been overworking yourself?"