Chapter 16 Matthew's acquisition plan had been progressing smoothly - until it hit an unexpected wall at the last minute . " Mr. Roscente , " his assistant said hesitantly , eyes lowered , " Simon's family has been in the Swiss watch industry for decades . They have deep ties with local political and business elites . We ... we can't touch him . And his mother is an executive at a major Swiss bank . " Matthew slammed the file onto the table . Papers scattered across the floor in a flurry . His eyes fixed on the surveillance footage of Evelyn and Simon walking side by side out of the office building . His knuckles whitened , but in the end , he gritted his teeth and growled , " ... Forget it . " At the company's board meeting , Matthew sat at the head of the table , eyes cold as they swept over Evelyn's presentation slides . " This proposal won't do . Start over , " he said , tapping the table slowly . It was as if he were waiting to see a hint of pleading on Evelyn's face . " The flow is too complicated . The client won't approve . " The room fell silent . All eyes turned to Evelyn . She lifted her gaze and met Matthew's , her expression calm . " This was approved last week . The client was very satisfied with the feedback . " " I said redo it . " Matthew's stare darkened , waves of emotion beneath the surface . At that moment , the conference room door opened . Simon walked in holding a stack of documents . His gaze swept across the standoff between them , and he gave a polite smile . " Sorry to interrupt . " He walked over to Evelyn and handed her the documents , tone composed . " Ms. Winston , my father's new estate project specifically requested your design . These are the contract details . Review them when you have time . " Matthew's expression turned stormy in an instant . Simon seemed completely unaware of the tension . He turned to the projection screen and glanced at the displayed layout . His brow lifted slightly . " This design looks solid - logical flow , good balance between function and aesthetics . May I ask why Mr. Roscente wants it changed ? " The atmosphere in the room grew even more oppressive . No one dared move , eyes glued to the Chapter 16 12.70 % table . Matthew stared at Simon , hostility radiating from every pore . But ultimately , he looked away and muttered coldly , " If Mr. Carter sees no issue , then proceed with the original plan . " After work , as Evelyn stepped out of the building , a familiar figure blocked her path . " Evelyn ! " Lila rushed forward , her eyes red with tears . " Matthew misunderstood me - it was you ! You deliberately drove a wedge between us back then . And now you want to steal him again ? " Evelyn paused but didn't even bother sparing her a glance . With onlookers gathering , she simply walked around her . Lila refused to let it go . She caught up and grabbed Evelyn's wrist . " What , feeling guilty ? You ... " " Ms. Hart . " A cool voice interrupted from behind . Simon had appeared beside Evelyn without anyone noticing . His gaze flicked to Lila's hand on Evelyn's wrist , calm but sharp . " Defamation is a criminal offense in Switzerland . You may want to keep that in mind . " Lila flinched and instinctively let go . Simon stepped slightly in front of Evelyn , shielding her . " If there's a next time , I'll be happy to let my lawyer explain it to you in detail . " Biting her lip , Lila wilted under the stares of nearby pedestrians and finally scurried away . Upstairs in the office , Matthew had seen everything from behind the floor - to - ceiling window . He saw Simon gentlemanly open the car door for Evelyn . Saw her tilt her head and quietly slide into the passenger seat . Watched the gray sedan drive off into the distance . Clang ! He hurled the glass in his hand against the wall . His chest heaved . Jealousy , like a venomous snake , sank its fangs into his heart . And yet , all he could do was watch her drift further and further away .