Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly, a glint of playful danger shining within them. "Did Benjamin ever tell you that I can still feel sensation in my legs?"

"Exactly," Evelyn replied, a smug tone lacing her words as she gave a small shake of her head. "That's precisely why I pinched you. It didn't hurt that much, did it? You're not really going to be upset over a little pinch, are you?"

A low, soft laugh escaped Alexander. "The pain is insignificant," he conceded. "But you have no idea how reckless that action was."

Evelyn's forehead wrinkled in bewilderment. "Reckless? How?"

In that instant, a familiar, intense heat flared in Alexander's gaze, burning brighter as it settled on her.

Evelyn, recognizing that look immediately, snatched her hand back.

"Alright, I've been talking too long. I need to get to work now," she stammered, her cheeks flushing crimson as memories of the previous night flooded back. She hurried away without another word.

From his wheelchair, Alexander watched Evelyn's rapid exit, a soft, longing smile touching his lips. His expression held a trace of frustration.

Did she really think she could provoke him and then just run away?

He would find the right time to teach her a lesson about playing with fire.

With Evelyn gone, the house felt empty. Alexander had no appetite for breakfast.

He gestured to a servant, his voice cool and detached, instructing them to clear the table. He then turned his wheelchair and headed for his study, seeking solace in his work.

Just as he reached the study door, his phone rang insistently. It was Sebastian.

Alexander answered the call and was met with Sebastian's voice, charged with an unusual, urgent excitement.

"Alexander! You are not going to believe this—we have a monumental project opportunity! Can you get to the office immediately?"

His words spilled out in a rushed, breathless stream. He took a sharp breath and continued. "This is something you need to handle personally, today. There's no time to lose—you have to hurry!"

Sebastian's typically playful demeanor was gone, replaced by a seriousness that surfaced only for matters of critical importance to their business.

It was this very reliability that had secured Alexander's complete trust in him to manage the public face of Aethelgard Industries.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Alexander didn't ask for details. "Understood. I'm on my way," he responded with resolve.

If Sebastian was this urgent, it had to be something of immense significance.

Meanwhile, Evelyn arrived at her design firm.

As she approached her office, a colleague intercepted her with quick steps. "Evelyn, there's a VIP client waiting for you in your office. He seems very important and insisted on speaking only with you."

A VIP client?

Evelyn frowned, confused. She hadn't scheduled any meetings with high-profile clients recently.

Setting her bag down, she asked, "Any idea who it is?"

The colleague shrugged, her face a mask of ignorance. "No clue."

She paused, then leaned closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "But let me tell you, this is a major client, Evelyn. This could mean a huge bonus for you! And someone got a look at him. He's incredibly handsome, even with the sunglasses on!"

Evelyn let out a soft chuckle and shook her head.

She wondered if she should commend her colleague for her professional focus or gently chide her for the latter observation.

It was no wonder her colleague was a designer at Aethelgard Industries; not only was she talented, but her appreciation for aesthetics was clearly very strong.

Evelyn rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "That is interesting. I haven't accepted any major client commissions lately, and certainly not from any strikingly handsome gentlemen. Who in the world could it be?"