As Evangeline stood by the railings on the second floor, she was oblivious to the admiring gazes directed towards her from below. However, among the crowd, there was one man who recognized her instantly. His eyes widened in surprise and recognition as he murmured to himself, "That woman..."
It was clear from his expression that he had been searching for her for a long time, and now, finally seeing her in full view, he couldn't help but feel astonished and intrigued.
She appeared vastly different from the woman he encountered at the club, whom he had dismissed as just another encounter. Now, she exuded an aura of elegance and sophistication, unmistakably someone accustomed to a life of wealth and class.
What intrigued him most was the unexpected surge of excitement her presence stirred within him. Despite weeks passing since their encounter, she seemed to awaken something dormant within him.
Motioning for his secretary to approach, he whispered, "Who is she?"
Following his gaze, the secretary replied, "That's Mr. Jeremy's sister, the rightful owner of SNCLR."
"Intriguing. Why haven't I crossed paths with her before?" he inquired.
"We've only been partnered with SNCLR for a year and a half. She took a hiatus three years ago when she got married, leaving her brother in charge. That's likely why you haven't met her until now," the secretary explained.
"And now she's returned. What's her motive?" Mr. Klein pondered.
"Unfortunately, I don't have that information, Mr. Klein," the secretary replied.
Klein dismissed his secretary and smirked to himself before heading towards Evangeline. Unbeknownst to her, as she moved to join the others, she found herself suddenly caught by Klein's grasp.
"Well, well, well... Look who's here, my long-lost Cindy," he uttered as he pinned Evangeline on the wall behind that extremely large curtain that hid them completely.
Evangeline's heart nearly sank, thinking it was Zach, but upon seeing the man before her, she felt relieved.
"Oh, it's you, Mr. Klein. Nice to see you," she said, smiling, though confused by his action of pinning her to the wall.
Klein smirked and raised an eyebrow at her. "It appears I was the only one unaware of the other's identity. Well, it's good to see you too, Mrs...?" He paused, only to be corrected by Evangeline.
"Miss. Miss Sinclair. And—"
"Evangeline! Where are you?" Jeremy called out, interrupting their conversation.
"Oh! I must go! Excuse me." She hurriedly slipped away from his grasp.
"Leaving me again, I see." Klein chuckled to himself and took a deep breath, savoring her lingering scent on his hands.
It was evident that Evangeline didn't recall that Klein was the man she had spent a night with back when she discovered that Zach was cheating on her.
Through her eyes, Klein could discern that she genuinely didn't remember their encounter. It wasn't an act of feigning ignorance; rather, she truly had no recollection of the man she had spent the night with.
Klein smiled softly and pressed his lips to the palm that had held Evangeline moments earlier, before stepping out from behind the curtain. He positioned himself by the railing, where Evangeline had stood just minutes before.
Observing intently, he watched as Evangeline made her way towards the stage, the spotlight illuminating her as she began her speech.
His gaze remained fixated on her lips, the very ones he had yearned to kiss once more.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues, and cherished friends," Evangeline began as she glanced at the audience.
"It is with immense gratitude and profound joy that I stand before you today, returning to the helm of SNCLR - Skyborne Nanotech Components and Lightweight Resources. Three years ago, I made the difficult decision to step away from this company, entrusting its leadership to my capable brother, Jeremy. Today, as I reclaim my role as CEO, I do so with renewed vigor, determination, and a profound sense of purpose.
First and foremost, I must express my heartfelt appreciation to each and every one of you who have supported me and believed in the vision of SNCLR during my absence. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment have been the driving force behind our continued success, and for that, I am truly grateful.
To my brother, Jeremy, I owe a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot express. Jeremy, you have not only steered this company with wisdom and integrity in my absence, but you have also upheld our family's legacy with unwavering dedication. Your leadership has been nothing short of exemplary, and I am proud to call you not only my brother but also my trusted partner in business.
As we proceed on this new chapter together, let us reaffirm our commitment to innovation, excellence, and collaboration. Let us continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, driving forward advancements in nanotechnology and lightweight resources that will shape the future of our industry and beyond.
Lastly, I want to express my profound gratitude to each and every member of the SNCLR family. Together, we have weathered challenges, celebrated victories, and forged bonds that transcend mere colleagueship. As we chart a course towards a brighter tomorrow, let us do so with unity, purpose, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.
Thank you, once again, for your unwavering support, and here's to the continued success and prosperity of SNCLR." Evangeline raises her glass as the others did as well.
As the applause filled the room, Klein couldn't help but join in, his admiration for Evangeline evident in the genuine smile that graced his lips. While he might have delivered the speech with a touch of authority and power, he couldn't deny that Evangeline's innocent and heartfelt words had a unique charm of their own.
"It suits her," he thought to himself, his gaze lingering on Evangeline as she basked in the applause of others.
As soon as Evangeline descended from the stage, she was immediately surrounded by a crowd of well-wishers, eager to shake her hand and offer their congratulations. Evangeline graciously accepted their compliments, her smile radiant as she thanked each person in turn.
Maximilian Klein observed her intently, his gaze unwavering as he watched her navigate through the sea of admirers. Thoughts raced through his mind as he admired her poise and grace, a desire growing within him to claim her for himself.
Evangeline couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, a sense of unease creeping over her as she made her way through the crowd. Instinctively, she glanced up and locked eyes with Maximilian Klein, his presence sending a shiver down her spine. His suspicious smirk only heightened her discomfort, leaving her with an unsettling feeling that lingered long after their brief encounter.
'What is wrong with him?' She thought.
YOU ARE READING
𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝟏: 𝐌𝐫𝐬. 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫 ✔
Romance"I'm a man and I want a child. If you can't give me that, then shut your mouth and just let me be." -Zachary Salazar "I need an heir, so if you're carrying my child, of course I'll take responsibility. But only if..." - Maximilian Klein ~ Evangeline...
