A little after three in the afternoon, Evelyn Grant and June Jacobs arrived in Kryllos.
Sophie Keaton was incredibly thoughtful. Knowing Evelyn's landing time, she had sent a message on WeChat asking if she had arrived home safely.
After replying, she went to the parking lot to get her car and drove June Jacobs home first.
She had no work scheduled for the day, so for a rare bit of leisure, Evelyn Grant went home, changed her clothes, and arranged to have dinner with a friend.
They didn't choose a particularly crowded place, opting instead for a restaurant known for its good food and privacy. She sat and waited quietly.
Before long, Yara Summers groaned, plopping down into the seat across from her. "The evening rush is a killer. Have you been waiting long?"
Evelyn Grant shook her head with a smile. "Not long."
Yara Summers was a famous manager in the industry, having launched many household names. Both of them were very busy, and this dinner had been planned a long time ago, but they never had the time until now.
They had met when Evelyn did the makeup for one of the artists Yara managed. All in all, they had known each other for four or five years.
She knew about Evelyn Grant and Leo Lawrence. "A rumor started going around the industry a few days ago."
Evelyn Grant looked up.
"Leo Lawrence is planning to transition his career. The rumor is that most of the TV scripts he's looking at are for more serious dramas. Everyone's saying he must have a girlfriend."
This speculation wasn't unfounded.
There was a tip from the grapevine that the paparazzi had snapped a photo of him having dinner with a woman, but his studio paid a hefty price to buy it back before it could be leaked.
Although there was no concrete proof, the speculation was getting louder and louder.
Evelyn Grant said calmly, "He's almost thirty. Transitioning away from being an idol was always part of his plan. What does that have to do with having a girlfriend?"
"That may be true," Yara Summers sighed softly, "but you know how people in this industry love to make something out of nothing."
She chuckled. "Still, Leo Lawrence seems to be in a hurry. Transitioning away from being an idol is never simple, and his popularity is at its peak right now. He must have given it a lot of thought to make this decision."
Yara Summers teased, "Is he in a hurry to tie someone down? After all, our Evelyn is so popular."
Just then, Evelyn Grant's phone screen lit up, and she glanced down at it.
Leo Lawrence: "Where are you?"
She didn't reply, instead lifting her gaze. "Yara, I have some concerns."
'The reason she hadn't agreed yet was that she had far, far too many reservations.'
Leo Lawrence's status alone meant they both had to be cautious and think about the long term.
For example, it could affect both of their careers.
Yara Summers nodded. "I get it."
She soothed her gently. "But if you two get together, you'll overcome it."
Evelyn Grant was a very rational person. Even when caught in an emotional vortex, she would remain remarkably calm. She lowered her eyes. "I hope so."
She shared her current location with Leo Lawrence.
Yara Summers changed the subject. "So, how were the last two days in Veridia? Is the young miss easy to get along with?"
"Miss Keaton is a very nice person." Evelyn Grant put down her phone. "She even invited me to visit Veridia for the Christmas holiday."
"So," Yara Summers leaned forward, ready for gossip, "did you meet the legendary Mr. Keaton?"
Evelyn Grant's hand faltered.
'She involuntarily recalled the previous night—his languid, downward gaze, the words he had spoken by her ear, "In front of me, you're just a docile little cat."'
His low, quiet voice had been so oppressive.
"I did."
'The man was deep and aloof, like a towering mountain shrouded in mist, hazy and indistinct.'
'I probably won't ever see him again.'
She took a delicate sip of her wine—it wasn't as mellow as the two glasses she'd had last night. "Mr. Keaton is just as the rumors say," she said, "gentle as jade, a true gentleman."
——
Outside the restaurant, a black Mercedes was waiting quietly.
Yara Summers smiled and nudged Evelyn Grant's shoulder. "Well, I won't get in your way. I'm heading off. Let's do this again soon!"
It was a little after eight, the restaurant's busiest time.
Evelyn Grant pulled open the passenger door. Only after getting in and fastening her seatbelt did she turn her head. "How long have you been here?"
Her smile froze as she finally noticed the bouquet of pink roses in Leo Lawrence's arms.
He sighed softly, his eyes gentle, his voice low. "I was starting to think Ms. Grant wouldn't even spare me a glance."
His tone, holding a hint of mock grievance and complaint, made Evelyn Grant look at him apologetically. "Are those for me?"
She leaned over and gathered the bouquet into her arms. The rich floral scent enveloped her as she smiled and tilted her head. "Thank you. I love them."
Leo Lawrence's lips curved into a smile and he hummed in response. The car began to move slowly in the direction of Evelyn Grant's home.
"How were your two days in Veridia?"
"They went smoothly."
The light ahead turned red. Leo Lawrence rested one hand on the steering wheel, and with the other, he suddenly reached out and pinched Evelyn Grant's cheek. "Then why did you only call me once in two days?"
His tone was somewhat accusatory.
In all the time they had known each other, this was the most intimate gesture that had ever passed between him and Evelyn Grant.
He respected Evelyn Grant, so before their relationship was official, they hadn't even held hands.
"You're too busy." Evelyn Grant gently sniffed the flowers in her arms. Her profile, soft and delicate, was bathed in the dim yellow glow of the streetlights, giving her a serene, peaceful air. "I was afraid of disturbing your work."
The light turned green.
Leo Lawrence pulled his hand back with a helpless sigh. "I've told you so many times."
"A call from you is never a disturbance."
Evelyn Grant's eyelashes trembled slightly. After a moment, she let out a soft, low chuckle. "Okay."
——
Just as Evelyn Grant had predicted, her schedule for September was packed.
She told June Jacobs not to schedule any work for the entire month of October. In the breaks between jobs, she thought about where she might go on vacation.
In the end, she decided to just go back home to Solara and lounge around for ten days.
She hadn't seen her brother in a long time, but Dylan Grant was the same as ever. The moment he saw her, he automatically went into roast mode.
"You're as skinny as a bamboo pole. Anyone who didn't know better would think the Grant family was mistreating you."
Evelyn Grant couldn't be bothered to trade barbs with him and went straight for a physical attack. But he just grabbed her by the back of the neck, pressed her face into the sofa, and left her powerless to retaliate.
This made Dylan Grant even more smug.
"I told you to put on some weight. See? Now I can handle you with just one hand."
The words were barely out of his mouth when Evelyn Grant spotted an opening as his grip loosened. She twisted her head and bit down hard on his wrist. Dylan howled in agony for a good while before she finally let go, spitting disdainfully.
"If you've got nothing better to do, go find something."
Their squabble wasn't over, but it was cut short by Mr. Grant.
"You two start fighting the second you see each other. Hurry up and get ready, we can't be late."
Only then did Evelyn Grant huff, shooting Dylan Grant one last contemptuous glare before heading upstairs.
Her timing in coming home was quite a coincidence.
That evening, a close friend of her father's was hosting a private banquet and had invited their family to attend.
She had attended countless banquets like this growing up, so she handled them with ease. After applying some light makeup, she chose a white, modern-style cheongsam. The form-fitting waist perfectly accentuated her figure, and she simply swept her hair up with a decorative pin.
Though the look was simple, she appeared ethereal and otherworldly, like a celestial fairy untouched by the mortal world.