Chapter 429
"Miss... Miss Roland..."
A girl in the crowd stammered, her voice trembling. She had once fawned over Evelyn Roland, but now, under the weight of those icy eyes, she wished she could vanish on the spot.
"Yes?"
Evelyn didn't even glance up, her fingers gliding effortlessly across her phone screen.
Scarlett Galatea clenched her coffee cup, her knuckles turning white. She bit her lower lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears like a frightened rabbit.
"Are you here to see Mr. Valdemar?" Scarlett forced a smile.
Only then did Evelyn lift her gaze, her obsidian eyes sweeping over her. "What else?"
The lab fell into a suffocating silence.
The other girls exchanged uneasy glances, wanting to defend Scarlett but too intimidated to speak. They could only silently resent Evelyn's arrogance.
Scarlett's tears welled up. "Have I... done something to offend you?"
"No." Evelyn pocketed her phone with disinterest. "I just don't drink green tea."
Scarlett's face stiffened.
At that moment, steady footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway.
"Miss Roland."
Sebastian Valdemar's voice cut through the tension like a clear stream.
He strode forward, his long legs encased in tailored suit pants moving swiftly. The usual sternness in his features softened the moment his eyes landed on Evelyn, his lips curving into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
Scarlett's eyes brightened, and she instinctively took half a step forward.
But Sebastian's gaze swept right past her, settling on Evelyn.
"Waiting long?" His voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
Evelyn shook her head lightly, a subtle warmth flickering in her eyes. "Just got here."
The moment their eyes met, electricity crackled in the air. The surrounding noise faded into the background, leaving only the two of them in their own world.
Scarlett dug her nails into her palms.
She couldn't believe what she was seeing—since when did Sebastian Valdemar look at anyone like that? The ruthless CEO who dominated the business world now gazed at Evelyn with the tenderness of a lovestruck boy.
"Mr. Valdemar..." Scarlett couldn't help but call out.
Sebastian finally acknowledged her with a polite nod. "Miss Galatea."
His tone instantly reverted to its usual detached formality.
Scarlett's heart plummeted. She watched as Sebastian turned back to Evelyn, his profile softening again, and her nails bit deeper into her skin.
This couldn't be happening.
How could Sebastian possibly be interested in someone as arrogant as Evelyn Roland? He was supposed to prefer gentle, considerate women!
"Let's go." Sebastian naturally took Evelyn's bag. "The meeting is about to start."
Evelyn gave a slight nod, and the two walked away side by side, their effortless默契 a painful sight.
Scarlett stood frozen, her smile completely shattered.