Chapter 315

Evangeline dusted off her hair for the third time. She had tried to clean up on the way back, but standing next to the impeccably dressed Finn, she felt distinctly disheveled. Not that she had much energy for primping lately.

“Isn’t it better to be comfortable with your own people?” she grinned. “You could relax a little too. It must take you forever to do your hair like that every day. What a waste of time.” She eyed his perfectly styled hair, guessing it must have taken hours. These days, she felt like even thirty minutes on makeup was a waste.

Finn ran a hand through his hair. “Not a waste at all. I usually listen to the news, check stocks, or get other work done while it’s being styled. Besides, if I didn’t get my hair done, my stylist would be out of a job p>

Evangeline was speechless. “My apologies. I stand corrected.” The gap between their worlds was vast. She had been thinking too small.

Seeing her silence, Finn added, “I have three stylists. You can have one p>

“No, thanks,” Evangeline said, shaking her head quickly. She couldn’t afford the salary, nor did she need such elaborate styling. It would be bizarre to show up at the dusty factory in full makeup when everyone else was covered in dirt.

Finn didn’t insist. He opened the passenger door for her. “Get in. We’re not going to the gym tonight. I’m taking you somewhere else p>

“Where p>

“The sea. I hear the view is beautiful at night p>

Evangeline found it a bit odd but didn’t question it and got in the car. As the engine started, Finn’s phone connected to the car’s display, and an article about his and Poppy’s engagement popped up. She suddenly understood his motive for the evening.

Finn noticed the article at the same time. He glanced at her expression before quickly swiping it away.

“Thank you,” Evangeline said after a moment of silence.

Finn’s fingers paused on the screen He smiled. “I much prefer the casual you to this polite version. Besides

this

was just a phone call forme Nothing to be grateful for p>

He seemed to brush it off, but his candor only made Evangeline more subdued.

Finn drove them to a high-end mall

first. He had invited others to the yacht party, and while he didn’t care how Evangeline looked, he didn’t want her to feel self-conscious Evangeline didn’t object. She didn’t care much about her appearances anymore, but as Finn’s plus-one, she didn’t want to embarrass him.

Finn helped her pick out a few outfits and paid for them. Just when she thought they were leaving, he led her to a jewelry store next door. It seemed he had already made arrangements, because as soon as walked in, a sales associate brought out a diamond ring that had been kept separately.

“Mr. Lockridge, the ring you designed is ready p>

The ring was placed on the counter, its pink diamond sparkling under the lights.

Evangeline understood what was happening and was about to say something when

a soft voice came from behind them.

“Evangeline, what a coincidence. You’re here too p>

She turned to see Poppy, arm in arm with Soren, walking into the store.