The charade starts

"This must be a new relationship, right? It has been barely two weeks since your failed engagement."

"That was just a fixed marriage, Mom," Evan said, indirectly implying that what was between him and Allie was a relationship made of love and not of gains.

"She's a software developer and the team lead of Code Vision. She will work with her team under Lotus Tech soon. We share the same interests and are in the same field, so we get along well. You see, it was expected, but I'm happy."

While in the car earlier, Allie and Evan talked about the story they would tell Esme. They figured they couldn't lie much about Allie's background, so they agreed on telling the madame the truth. Evan would just talk to his mother later about Allie's demand for less publicity.

"Which family are you from?"

Allie answered smoothly, "I live alone, madame."