His gaze didn't linger on her for long. He was on the phone.
A relaxed, deep voice drifted over. "Returning to Veridia tomorrow."
He spoke Cantonese beautifully—his voice deep, steady, and calm, with a magnetic quality. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. The flickering light played across his form, casting him in an inscrutable, dangerous aura against the night.
Evelyn Grant waited quietly to the side, her hands clasped behind her back. She stared down at the tips of her shoes, tapping one foot on the ground intermittently, looking well-behaved and docile.
Preston Keaton put his phone away. Before he could speak, the girl, noticing his movement, looked up and took two steps closer to him. Her limpid eyes were clear, her gaze earnest and gently alluring whenever she looked at someone.
"Mr. Keaton."
She was perfectly suited for wearing a qipao.
The light fabric clung to the graceful curves of her body, as gentle and flowing as a southern river. Her fair, delicate face was no bigger than the palm of a hand, with an exquisite bone structure. Her swan-like neck was long, slender, and fair—utterly captivating.
"Thank you again for your help the other day."
'I didn't expect to see him again, but since I have, I should thank him in person.'
Preston Keaton's tone was casual, almost careless. "Which time?"
Evelyn Grant froze for a moment.
'What other time could there be?'
She frowned slightly and bit her lip before answering honestly, "Last month, at Clearwater Bay. I got drunk, and I heard you were the one who took me back to my room."
The way she furrowed her brow trying to recall the event looked a little naive. Preston Keaton's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained placid. "It was nothing."
Evelyn Grant pressed her lips together. The conversation had stalled, and not knowing what else to say, she forced herself to continue.
"If there's ever anything I can do to help you, Mr. Keaton, please don't hesitate to ask."
'Preston Keaton is a man of immense power and influence. What could I possibly do to help him?'
It was just a polite pleasantry, so she was surprised when the man spoke slowly, his voice perfectly composed. "Actually, there is something I hope you can help with, Miss Grant."
Evelyn Grant stared at him in surprise.
"Ever since you did Sophie Sullivan's makeup, Miss Grant, she's grown very fond of you. Even after going to Eldoria, she still talks about you constantly."
His tone betrayed no particular emotion, yet it was refined and courteous. "Therefore, I would like to hire you, Miss Grant, as Sophie Sullivan's personal Makeup Artist. I'm aware you have your own career, so you would only be needed in Veridia for ten days each month."
"As for compensation," he continued, "I will pay you a monthly salary of fifty million Veridia Dollars, Miss Grant."
Evelyn Grant's pupils trembled.
'Ten days in Veridia a month for fifty million Veridia Dollars.'
'Those two sentences sent my mind into a whirl. I have the vague feeling this is a trap tailor-made for me, just waiting for me to step into it.'
She couldn't help but look up. His eyes were like splashed ink, so deep they were bottomless. The moment their gazes met, it felt as if someone had seized her heart. A sudden panic made her involuntarily lower her eyelids, her voice growing tense.
"But... isn't Sophie Sullivan studying in Eldoria?"
Preston Keaton hummed in affirmation. "She's still young. She comes back to Veridia for a few days each month."
For the top-tier families at the pinnacle of wealth, the young masters and mistresses had countless gatherings, tea parties, and soirees. Coming from the chairman of the Apex Consortium, this was definitely not a joke.
Evelyn Grant's fingers curled together. "Aside from those ten days in Veridia, can I arrange the rest of my time as I see fit?"
Preston Keaton nodded, his gaze never leaving her. "Yes."
'An offer this good... I'd regret passing it up for the rest of my life.'
Evelyn Grant didn't hesitate. A small smile touched her lips. "Alright. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Keaton."
Her eyes curved into crescents as a vibrant, lively energy blossomed from within her, like a magnificent rose unfurling in spring. Even the evening breeze seemed to soften in its gentle, lingering warmth.
Preston Keaton looked down at her, a low chuckle escaping his thin lips as they curved slightly. "You seem to trust me, Miss Grant."
"You're a refined and elegant man, Mr. Keaton. Everyone says you're a cultured gentleman. The chairman of the Apex Consortium is naturally someone to be trusted."
She looked up with her big, limpid eyes, appearing harmless, but she was putting him on a pedestal.
'A cunning little thing.'
Preston Keaton gave an unreadable smile, lowering his gaze to hide the strange light in his eyes. He repeated in a low, faint voice, "A cultured gentleman?"
A smirk played on his lips as he said in an unhurried tone, "Someone will contact you tomorrow to sign the contract, Miss Grant."
Preston Keaton didn't stay much longer. Everyone walked him to the door to see him off.
The convoy of cars gradually disappeared into the night. Mr. Aldrin and Mr. Grant were beaming with joy. Evelyn Grant, standing nearby, overheard that a publicly listed subsidiary under Apex was going to partner with the Grant and Aldrin Families.
This was an absolute windfall!
Liam Aldrin and Evelyn Grant walked at the very back, falling far behind the others.
His doubts hadn't dissipated; in fact, they were growing stronger. Liam Aldrin couldn't help but mutter, "A partnership with a subsidiary... is that really worth a personal visit from Mr. Keaton?"
The Apex Consortium's portfolio covered oil, telecommunications, trade, banking, shipping, and more, forming a vast and solid business empire. Why would they bother paying them any mind?
The only possibility was...
He looked at his childhood friend.
Evelyn Grant knew what Liam Aldrin was about to say without him having to. She cut him off succinctly, "Don't even start. Impossible."
"..."
Liam Aldrin rubbed his nose and swallowed the rest of his words.
The next day, Evelyn Grant met with Wyatt Walsh at a coffee shop.
He went over the contract with her, explaining it clause by clause.
"It's a one-year contract. In addition to the monthly salary of fifty million Veridia Dollars, we will also arrange for your flights and accommodations. If you have any other requests, Miss Grant, Mr. Keaton will do his best to accommodate them."
Evelyn Grant shook her head. "I have no other requests."
"Miss Keaton's return schedule to Veridia isn't fixed," Wyatt Walsh said in a gentle voice. "I will notify you in advance once we have the specific dates."
"The contract takes effect immediately. If you have no other requests or questions, you can just sign here."
Evelyn Grant signed her name and exchanged WeChat contacts with Wyatt Walsh. He took his copy of the contract and had just left when Evelyn Grant received a call from Leo Lawrence.
'I called him last night, and he's only just now calling back.'
Evelyn Grant frowned. After she answered, an apologetic male voice came through the receiver.
"I'm sorry, work has been so busy lately. I was exhausted last night, so I went straight to bed when I got back to the hotel. I just woke up."
He coaxed her gently, "I'm sorry, Evelyn. How about I come see you as soon as I have some free time?"
Evelyn Grant took a small sip of her coffee. "You're busy. I understand."
There was a two-second pause on the other end, then Leo Lawrence said with certainty, "You're angry."
Evelyn Grant wasn't the type to be coy. She hummed in affirmation and added, "I understand you're busy with work, but I am a little angry."
'I can vaguely sense that Leo Lawrence has been a little different lately.'
'In the past, no matter how busy he was, he never waited until the next day to call me back. If he's already being this dismissive and impatient before we're even officially a couple, this relationship might not be what I want.'