Chapter 430

Evelyn settled into the passenger seat and pulled a water bottle from her bag. She twisted the cap open and took several slow sips of the warm liquid.

Michael waited patiently until she finished before starting the engine.

"What should we have for lunch?" He asked, glancing at her profile.

Evelyn shook her head slightly. "It's too early for lunch. I'm not hungry yet."

Michael persisted, "We could still decide now!"

After a brief hesitation, Evelyn replied, "Actually, I think I'll handle lunch by myself from now on."

Michael's eyes narrowed. He needed meat with every meal, but Evelyn currently had no appetite for it. Before her pregnancy, she'd never turned down food. If he noticed her avoiding meat now, he'd definitely grow suspicious.

"Are you dieting?" Michael's voice turned sharp. "Evelyn, stop this nonsense! You're not some celebrity needing to starve yourself!"

Evelyn massaged her temples. She should've known Michael would notice everything.

"I'm not dieting. I just prefer not having lunch with you anymore."

"What? Then who will you eat with?" His grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Evelyn met his gaze steadily. "We should maintain some distance. Remember what Nathan said last night? You care so much about his relationship with Dominic. What if Nathan feels the same about our closeness?"

Michael fell silent.

Evelyn continued, "From now on, we'll eat separately. We can still commute home together after work."

Michael exhaled sharply. "Fine...whatever you say."

Just then, his phone rang. Fishing it from his pocket, he glanced at the caller ID before slowing the car and answering via Bluetooth.

"Are you with Evelyn right now?" Nathan's voice crackled through the speakers.

Michael shot Evelyn a quick look. "N-No...why do you ask?"

He lied instinctively, wanting to hear Nathan's real purpose.

Nathan's tone turned accusing. "Do you know where Evelyn got that cream sweater she wore today? It's outrageous! She originally made it for Mr. Blackwood..."

Michael studied Evelyn's cream-colored sweater and replied calmly, "So? If she gave it to your boss, why does she have it now?"

Nathan huffed. "Probably because he returned it after their breakup!"

"If it's been returned, she can wear it whenever she likes! What business is it of your boss?" Michael's voice grew heated, his words sharpening.

Nathan clearly hadn't expected such a fierce response.

"My point is, Evelyn's deliberately provoking Mr. Blackwood! She must've coordinated this with Eric! Wearing matching white outfits? Are they announcing their relationship? Mr. Blackwood saw the live stream this morning! He was furious!"

"If he watched the stream, he must've heard Eric's explanation. What's there to be angry about? Does he expect Evelyn to stay single forever to please him?"

Michael's logical retort left Nathan momentarily speechless. It made perfect sense. Why was Dominic so upset then? Their relationship had ended bitterly, with attempts on each other's lives. By all accounts, no feelings should remain!

Evelyn sat quietly, easily piecing together Nathan's accusations from Michael's responses.

She'd worn the cream sweater that day at Eric's suggestion the previous night.

The dress was black, so cream would complement it better. Without a cream jacket, Evelyn had chosen the sweater.

She never anticipated Eric would wear a matching color. The unintended coordination had caused this misunderstanding, leaving her deeply embarrassed.