She Took a Night Shift to Pay Her Tuition — Then the City’s Most Powerful Heir Walked Into Her Bar
Chapter 8
Vivian Hartwell invited Evelyn to lunch.
The restaurant overlooked the ocean.
Vivian smiled warmly.
“You’re very important to Adrian.”
Evelyn said nothing.
“I’ve watched him change since you entered his life.”
“That’s not your concern.”
Vivian smiled.
“No. But his company is.”
She placed a folder on the table.
Inside were photographs of Evelyn leaving Adrian’s house.
The headlines were obvious.
Billionaire CEO’s Mysterious Girlfriend
Scholarship Worker Moves Into Hartwell Estate
Evelyn looked up.
“Why?”
“Because people believe what they are shown.”
“You threatened me.”
“I warned you.”
Vivian stood.
“Leave Adrian and this disappears.”
Evelyn closed the folder.
“No.”
Vivian’s smile faded.
“You don’t understand the world you’re entering.”
“Maybe.”
Evelyn stood too.
“But I understand something about people like you.”
“What?”
“You assume everyone has a price.”
Vivian stared at her.
“You’ll regret that.”
That night, the photographs flooded the internet.
Evelyn became a target overnight.
Adrian arrived at the house.
He didn’t ask permission.
He simply stood beside her.
The cameras outside exploded with flashes.
One reporter shouted:
“Mr. Hartwell, is she using you for money?”
Adrian turned.
“No.”
Another shouted:
“Then who is she?”
Adrian looked at Evelyn.
“The most honest person I’ve ever met.”
