Chapter 46

"I have no clue," the bodyguard muttered, his expression indifferent.

Evelyn inhaled sharply, her gaze darting around the venue.

If her memory was correct, this was the exact recital Sophie had mentioned earlier.

She had turned down Sophie’s invitation.

Yet here she was anyway.

The only difference? She was here with Dominic.

Running into Sophie in this concert hall would be beyond mortifying.

Her palms grew clammy, and she silently prayed she wouldn’t cross paths with her best friend.

In a venue this massive, the chances of sitting near each other were slim, right?

Nathan had reserved the entire front row for Dominic.

Evelyn spotted him the moment she stepped inside.

He sat alone, posture rigid, exuding an air of cold superiority.

With the performance yet to begin, he was scrolling through his phone, completely detached.

Her feet froze mid-step, as if rooted to the floor.

Dominic stood out like a storm in a clear sky.

Why had he even invited her to a recital?

Had he forgotten how he’d mocked her relationship with Julian just last night?

She had spoken passionately about the beauty of art, and he had dismissed it as trivial.

"Why are you just standing there? Move!" the bodyguard snapped, noticing her hesitation.

"I’m freezing… Could I borrow your jacket?" Evelyn asked politely, eyeing his black suit jacket.

The bodyguard’s expression darkened as he unbuttoned it, revealing an arsenal of weapons strapped beneath.

Her knees nearly buckled at the sight, and she hurried toward Dominic.

When she reached him, she hesitated, then deliberately sat two seats away.

Dominic’s gaze flicked to the empty space between them, his brow furrowing.

Was she avoiding him?

"It’s stuffy in here," Evelyn lied, fanning herself.

The bodyguard on Dominic’s other side scoffed. "Didn’t you just say you were cold?"

Evelyn exhaled sharply. "Do you always talk this much? Bodyguards on TV know when to stay silent. Maybe focus on protecting your boss instead of commenting on everything?"

The bodyguard’s jaw tightened.

This infuriating woman.

Dominic shot him a look. "Move further down."

Without hesitation, the bodyguard stood and relocated several seats away.

Evelyn finally breathed easier.

She took another steadying breath, then an idea struck her.

Shrugging off her coat, she folded it neatly and placed it on the seat between them.

Then, she loosened her ponytail, letting her hair cascade forward to shield her face.

If Sophie didn’t come directly into her line of sight, she wouldn’t recognize her.

Dominic watched her with icy scrutiny, analyzing her every move.

Was she removing her coat to flaunt her figure?

Undoing her hair to appear more alluring?

To him, it was obvious she was playing games.

"Evelyn," he began, voice low.

"Don’t talk to me!" she hissed, keeping her face hidden. "My friends are here. I don’t want them knowing I came with you."

Dominic’s lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw clenching. The calm in his eyes shattered.