Are you a coward?

After her meeting with Mr. Nolen ended, Evily went over to meet Amelia. 

Now that her stepsister was going into the entertainment circle, Amelia would always try to be cautious. When she arrived at the restaurant, there was only a couple inside the restaurant. A waiter ushered her to a table in a corner and took out her phone to check on her messages as she waited for Evily to show up.

"Sorry, did you wait for too long?" Amelia flashed an apologetic smile before she slid into the chair.

"No. I just arrived a couple of minutes ago," Evily said

"Mhmm… My stomach is a little full after drinking a cup of coffee." Amelia took a deep breath and held onto Evily's hand.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to abandon you. But I cannot let anything happen to me at the moment. You know how hard it is for someone in the industry to survive."

"It's fine." Evily had long decided to forget this matter. The more her thoughts dwelt on this matter, she would only be disappointed in Amelia. In the end, they were sisters and lived together under the same roof for years until Amelia moved to the city to pursue her dream as an actress. 

"Evily, you're the best." Amelia gave a little squeeze on Evily's hand. "That's right. Are you planning to stay here?"

"Yeah! I already talked with Mr Nolan. I will work in his company as a video editor." Evily said.

"That's great," Amelia replied.

"Evily!" Yvonne's commanding voice was heard from behind.

"Mom!" Evily and Amelia stood up at the same time.

Without a word, Yvonne gave Evily a tight slap across the face. Her gaze wasn't that of a mother's but of disappointment and mostly disgust.

"How can you end up in police? What if something happens to Amelia?" 

"Mom..." Evily muttered.

"Mom!" Amelia quickly pulled her mother away from Evily. "Eve, I will call call you later." Amelia dragged her mother with her.

Evily fixed her hair and walked away nonchalantly. She found herself in a quiet corner away from the crowd, where she eventually got to her knees and broke down.

It wasn't until the air was suddenly thick with cigarette smoke did she regained her composure.

She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands. Just as she was about to leave, she saw a man leaning against the wall, smoking and looking mature and charming, as usual.

How long has he been standing there? Did he see me in that dishevelled state just now?

Perhaps she had been staring at him for a long time because the man suddenly looked over.

Evily dragged her feet to the man who then scrutinized her from head to toe. Her cheek was swollen.

"W-We meet again, Mr. Hudson," she said awkwardly.

"Are you such a coward? Do you not know how to fight back?"

"What?" Evily was momentarily stunned.

"My car is here. I will drive you," he said as she was about to walk away.

"No thanks. I can walk." She rejected his offer sternly; her gaze shining with determination.

Bruce raised a brow and smirked.

"Are you mad?"

Evily couldn't get used to the sudden change in his mood.

Why is he grinning? What is so funny about this?

She mused silently but dared not show it.

By then, his driver had arrived. Seeing his car had arrived, Evily spoke, "Mr. Hudson, I'll be off then."

----

Evily went to meet his boyfriend whom she didn't see for one year. 

The man froze at the sight of Evily.

"Evily, W-Why are you here?"

"What's wrong?" Evily asked innocently.

"Why don't you inform me that you would come?" The man spoke in a cold and unfriendly.

 When Evily saw the man's steely face, she turned her head to one side and said, "So, are you not welcoming me?"

Alexander then said with a forced laugh, "What are you saying? Come here!" 

Entering his apartment, Evily went completely limp as she slumped against Alexander on the couch. "I just don't want to disturb you. You are busy with your work."

Alexander lifted her chin and queried in a demanding manner, "With whom you come here?"

The woman burst into a chuckle as her cheeks flushed in happiness. "Alone! Well...I got a job as a video editor and my friend Jamie arranged an apartment for me."

The man narrowed his eyes, "Are you planning to stay here?"

She looked up and stared deep into his eyes as she asked, "Alex, Did something happen? You are in a bad mood."

Alexandar's expression turned even darker. "Because you didn't discuss with me anything. Am I not your boyfriend?"

Evily frowned and questioned, "What is there to discuss? I sent my resume as I love the job, and I got selected." 

"Huh? Jamie is more important than me. You share everything with her but...." Alexander shot her a sharp look.

"Alex, you took it the wrong way. As I rarely came to the city, she was simply helping me out." Evily provided a simple explanation.