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Evangeline's expression remained unreadable as she stood before Adrian, her eyes scanning his face for any hint of his true thoughts. Her poise was flawless, the embodiment of grace and control, but there was an undeniable sharpness in her gaze, a warning that she was not one to be trifled with.

Adrian matched her composure, his smile steady as he continued, "I must say, you carry yourself with an air of mystery that's hard to ignore. I must say, it only adds to your allure."

Evangeline's lips twitched in what might have been a smile, but her voice remained cool and measured. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Lucien. But I appreciate the attempt. Now, why don't you tell me the real reason you've sought me out?"

Adrian leaned back slightly in his chair, the playful lightness of his earlier tone giving way to something more serious. "I came to discuss a certain... business matter that I believe would be mutually beneficial."

Her eyes narrowed slightly, intrigued but cautious. "Mutually beneficial, you say? That's quite a claim. I'm curious to know what exactly you think you can offer me."

Adrian's voice dropped to a more serious tone, signaling the shift in their conversation. "Alright, I think it's enough pretending... You are planning to open your business in the city soon, right?"

Evangeline's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, but she quickly masked it with her usual composed demeanor. She tilted her head slightly as if considering his words. "It seems you're more informed than I anticipated. Yes, I do have plans to expand my operations here. But how does that concern you, Mr. Lucien?"

Adrian met her gaze directly, his expression calm but firm. "I want to sponsor your business."

"You were looking for a sponsor that day too, right?" Adrian continued but he wasn't exactly sure about his claim. He was just deducing from what he knew from the novel and what he learned recently.

Evangeline's gaze sharpened as she assessed Adrian's claim. For a brief moment, a flicker of something—curiosity, perhaps—crossed her features, but it quickly vanished behind her mask of calm composure.

"You're quite bold, Mr. Lucien," she replied, her voice laced with intrigue. "Offering to sponsor a business you know little about. Tell me, why the sudden interest? And more importantly, what makes you think I would need a sponsor?"

Adrian held her gaze for a moment longer, then allowed a small, enigmatic smile to tug at the corners of his lips, opting to stay silent. He knew that sometimes, silence could speak volumes, especially when dealing with someone as astute as Evangeline.

Evangeline's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, her lips twitching in a subtle sign of amusement or perhaps frustration. "You're really quite informative, aren't you?" she remarked, her tone laced with curiosity.

Adrian nodded, his expression turning more serious as he explained, "It's true that I have money and a few business ideas, but I lack connections. I'm new to this... world," he admitted, the deliberate pause emphasizing the weight of the word. "You, on the other hand, have experience—more than five years of it, if my information is correct. I don't intend to meddle in your affairs.

My role would be to provide the funds you need. Your role? To succeed."

Evangeline remained silent, her gaze steady as she processed his words. The weight of the offer hung in the air between them, unspoken but palpable. After a moment, she spoke again, her voice thoughtful. "I see... So you're aiming to gain connections through this arrangement, is that it?"

Adrian's smile widened slightly, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "It's always easier to work with people who understand you, Miss Evangeline. And from what I can see, you understand me very well."

Evangeline's lips curled into a faint smile, though her eyes remained calculating. "You're quite the strategist, Mr. Lucien. Offering to sponsor a business, knowing full well the benefits it could bring you in the long run. But tell me, how do I know you're not just another opportunist looking to take advantage of my hard-earned reputation?"

Adrian leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest. "I have no interest in tarnishing your reputation, nor do I intend to interfere with your business decisions. My goal is simple: I need someone who knows how to navigate this world, someone who can handle the social and elite world intricacies that I'm still learning.

In return, I offer you the resources to grow your business without worrying about the financial burden."

Evangeline studied him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face for any sign of deception. Finally, she nodded, as if reaching a decision. "Very well, Mr. Lucien. I'll consider your offer. But understand this—if you cross me, if you even think of undermining my work, our partnership will end before it begins.

Do we have an agreement?"

Adrian extended his hand, his smile returning to that careful balance of charm and respect. "Agreed."

Evangeline took his hand, her grip firm but not unkind. "Welcome to the world of elites, Mr. Lucien. Let's see if you can keep up."

As they shook hands, Adrian felt a sense of satisfaction. This was a step in the right direction, a calculated move in the intricate game he was playing. After all, it was better to keep your enemy beside you rather than leave them in the dark, where they could plot against you unseen.

Evangeline released his hand, her expression reverting to its usual composed state, though there was a hint of something else—perhaps a spark of anticipation, or the thrill of a new challenge. "I'll have my people draft the necessary documents," she said smoothly. "We can finalize the details within the next few days." Read latest chapters at m_v-l'e|m,p| y- r

Adrian nodded, satisfied with the outcome. "I look forward to it, Miss Evangeline. I'm confident this will be a mutually beneficial partnership."

Evangeline's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, as if she were still trying to decipher the full extent of his intentions. But whatever conclusions she reached, she kept them to herself. "I suppose we'll see," she replied, her tone light but edged with subtle caution. "For now, let's enjoy the evening. We've both made our moves—let's see where this will take us."

Adrian offered her a small, knowing smile. "Agreed. It's always more interesting when the stakes are high."

With that, Evangeline turned gracefully, signaling the end of their conversation for the time being.

Adrian silently watched before turning to finish his meal. He didn't want to waste such luxurious and expensive food after all.