She tossed the onboarding form onto the table, barely glancing at it, then caught Gregory–the executive assistant–eyeing her, clearly waiting for news about Evangeline. She filled him in on the details of her recent phone call. 

Meanwhile, in the CEO’s office, Gregory relayed the HR department’s response to Soren without embellishment. 

Soren’s brows knit together as he listened. He struggled to understand Evangeline’s choices. 

After so many years away from the corporate world–and with the job market as tough as it was–if she’d managed to find a position at all, it was likely with some obscure little company, hardly worth mentioning. 

Setting aside his own complicated history with Evangeline, the fact remained that Fawkes Enterprises offered the best pay and benefits in all of Serenity City. 

Why would Evangeline turn her back on Fawkes Enterprises only to sign on with some no–name firm? What on earth was she thinking? 

Still, Soren didn’t dwell on it. 

He’d already given Evangeline time to handle her own affairs. He’d only asked about her today because he hadn’t seen her around, not because he actually cared where she went. If she wanted to leave, she could leave; it made no difference to him. 

He strolled over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a drink, and asked, “How are things going with Poppy?” 

Gregory replied, “We’ve already acquired the company Miss Yates just joined. The handover is in progress, and we’ve increased her compensation–her annual salary is now six hundred thousand.” 

“Six hundred thousand?” Soren swirled the whiskey in his glass, his tone lazy and unconcerned. “That’s still too little for someone of her talent. Give her thirty percent equity in the new company.” 

Gregory’s eyes widened with disbelief. He hesitated, “Sir, even for a subsidiary, Fawkes Enterprises has never handed over equity to a new hire. Isn’t that a bit… irregular?” 

Honestly, Gregory already thought the salary was excessive. 

Not only was it the upper limit for Serenity City, but it was double what Poppy had 

1/3 

Chapter 77 

earned overseas. No matter how capable she was, she was still a newcomer here, with no proven track record. If word got out, there would be no shortage of grumbling and resentment. 

But Gregory didn’t dare say any of that out loud. 

Last night, Poppy had been treated poorly on her first day–just a couple of snide remarks, but enough to upset her. As soon as Soren heard about it, he’d decided on the spot to buy out the entire company just to back her up. 

A few million to stand up for Poppy? Soren clearly didn’t even blink at that cost. 

Sure enough, Soren took a slow sip and said, “There’s nothing irregular about it. Deduct the extra shares from my own equity.” 

He paused, voice softening. “It’s what I owe her.” 

Poppy had spent years overseas, struggling on her own. Now that she was back, it was hard enough for any woman to navigate the corporate world alone–he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. 

He was going to clear the way for her, whatever it took. 

Across town, Evangeline stood in front of her open closet, fretting over what to wear to the charity gala tomorrow night. 

She didn’t have the connections to investigate the guest list, but one thing was certain: the Lockridge family’s network was extensive, and she’d have no trouble finding potential investors at the event. 

She was determined to make a good impression. To calm her nerves, she practiced small talk in the mirror over and over, rehearsing her tone until it sounded just right. 

But the dress–oh, the dress–wa’s a real headache. 

All her evening gowns had been provided by the Fawkes family, but she hadn’t taken a single one when she moyed out of their villa. 

Her current savings weren’t enough to buy a new dress. She could just about afford to rent one, but most rental gowns looked cheap and ill–fitting–the kind of thing that screamed you didn’t care, and she couldn’t afford to make a weak first 

impression. 

She toyed with the idea of borrowing or scraping together some extra cash, lost in thought, when a knock sounded at her door. 

2/3 

11:32 

ye ayai, more insistent this time. 

Assuming the delivery person hadn’t heard her, she straightened up, smoothed her hair, and went to open the door. 

The moment she did, she was greeted by Glenn’s sharply handsome face. Dressed impeccably in a pale gray suit that accentuated his tall frame, he looked every bit the part of a man who’d just come from an elegant dinner. The faintest hint of whiskey lingered around him, subtle but unmistakable. 

3/3 

11-32