Chapter 91

Evelyn Sinclair, on the other hand, didn’t let Seraphina Delacroix’s intrusion ruin her mood. By the time she settled into the private room, she had effortlessly taken control of the harmonious atmosphere.

As for Nathan Blackwood and the others, they were treated to quite the spectacle the moment they arrived.

When Adrian Cross went to fetch Seraphina, only two seats remained in the private room—conveniently placed between Adrian’s manager and Sebastian Hart.

Though there was ample space between the chairs, logic dictated Seraphina should have sat beside Adrian’s manager to avoid any awkwardness, leaving Adrian to take the seat next to Sebastian.

But when Adrian escorted Seraphina in, something unexpected happened. As they moved toward the empty spots, Seraphina hesitated briefly as she passed Sebastian’s side.

Sebastian was engrossed in his phone, his expression unreadable, though his brows were slightly furrowed. The next moment, as Seraphina attempted to walk past, she "accidentally" tripped over a chair leg and tumbled into the seat beside him.

Flustered, Seraphina scrambled to stand, her movements chaotic. It was Adrian who stopped her. "Just sit here. Are you hurt?"

"I’m fine," Seraphina murmured softly, casting a timid glance at Sebastian, her discomfort palpable.

Sebastian remained indifferent throughout, while Isabelle Laurent struggled to maintain her composure.

Adrian’s manager, clearly privy to some inside information, shot Seraphina a disapproving glare.

Across from them, Evelyn, Julian, and Marcus Donovan nearly lost it.

How entertaining! Absolutely brilliant. Juggling an ex and a current lover—now that’s a real tug-of-war. A love triangle truly is the most stable shape.

Julian frowned. What kind of bizarre triangle is Evelyn imagining now?

Even Marcus, who usually preferred networking over drama, found himself thoroughly entertained. After all, these troublemakers weren’t his problem—which made the whole situation even more amusing.

Getting down to business, Isabelle raised her glass, her smile dazzling. "For the next round, I hope you’ll all go easy on us."

Everyone lifted their glasses, and Marcus forced a polite smile. "If anything, we should be the ones asking for mercy."

Adrian’s manager chuckled. "Marcus, you’re being too modest. We just hope we don’t end up like the last group."

"That was an anomaly," Marcus replied smoothly. "Truthfully, we’ve got our own challenges—especially with a complete rookie in acting. She’s as green as they come, so we’ll need everyone’s guidance moving forward." He nudged Evelyn, who was currently devouring a lamb chop.

Only then did Evelyn raise her glass in acknowledgment, though no one took offense. After all, everyone knew she had the backing of Blackwood Group.

Julian, seated beside her, handed her a napkin when he noticed sauce on her chin. His habitual care spoke volumes about her place in his heart.

Isabelle smiled warmly. "Marcus has an eye for talent. To nurture such a promising newcomer so quickly—impressive."

She turned to Evelyn. "Ms. Sinclair, not only are you a woman of integrity, but your acting potential is undeniable. It’s a shame you entered the industry so late—you could’ve been a sensation years ago. But even now, you’ve skyrocketed to fame with just one hit. You’re easily the fastest-rising star among newcomers this season."

Whether Isabelle meant every word or not, her praise sounded genuine.

Evelyn smiled back. "Thank you, Isabelle."

Isabelle exhaled in relief. She’d worried Evelyn might be difficult, but the woman was surprisingly easygoing.

At the table, the managers chatted animatedly. Adrian managed to exchange a few words with Julian. Seraphina attempted small talk with Evelyn. Sebastian, however, remained silent—almost as if he were allergic to socializing.

Even Julian was outperforming him, which struck him as odd.

Ah, I see, Evelyn mused. For years, Isabelle has handled all the socializing. Under her guidance, Sebastian could focus solely on acting and fans without lifting a finger. No wonder he’s so awkward now.

Her thoughts took a sharp turn. It’s like a hardworking mother raising an ungrateful, rebellious son.

Then again… This isn’t even a formal event. Just a casual dinner. Could his awkwardness really be because of Seraphina? Is he deliberately acting out?

Her internal monologue was interrupted when Sebastian suddenly reached for a dish—the same one Seraphina had been eyeing.

Seraphina’s chopsticks froze mid-air.

Sebastian didn’t even glance at her as he took a portion and placed it on his plate.

Evelyn nearly choked. Oh? What’s this? A silent power struggle?

Seraphina hesitated before murmuring, "I… I wasn’t going to take that."

Sebastian finally looked at her, his expression unreadable. "I know."

Then why did you take it?! Evelyn screamed internally.

Sebastian’s response was flat. "You weren’t eating it, but you still wanted to claim it? Wasting food is shameful."

Evelyn blinked. Was that… an explanation? Or just an excuse to be petty?

Seraphina flushed, casting Sebastian a timid glance before whispering, "Thank you."

But the drama wasn’t over.

Evelyn, ever the gossip enthusiast, had sharp eyes.

Wait a minute… His left hand is under the table. Her right hand is under the table. And they’ve been like that for a while now? My radar is buzzing.

Julian frowned when he noticed Evelyn’s sudden tension.

Evelyn, seizing the moment, "accidentally" dropped her fork and bent to retrieve it.

Neither Sebastian nor Seraphina noticed—both too absorbed in whatever was happening beneath the tablecloth.

The next second, Evelyn resurfaced, trembling with suppressed excitement.

Hah! I knew it! Under the table, he’s holding her hand—no, not just holding. They’re interlocked. And she’s barely resisting! This isn’t just a casual touch. This is a full-on romantic drama moment!

Julian, catching her expression, nearly groaned. What fresh chaos has she uncovered now?

Evelyn’s thoughts raced. If I yanked the tablecloth off right now, exposing them to the entire room—oh, the scandal! The drama!

But before she could act, Julian subtly shook his head. Don’t.

Evelyn pouted. Fine. But this is gold.

Sebastian and Seraphina remained oblivious, lost in their own little world.

Evelyn smirked. Over the top? Absolutely. But oh, so entertaining.