Chapter 2

The man behind the wheel was Ethan Hayes, the newly appointed Director of Ethics and Compliance at the institute.

Julian instantly dropped my wrist, stiffening like a board.

"Director Hayes. It's nothing, sir."

"Evelyn and I were just debating some project parameters. We got a bit carried away."

I had no desire to cause a scene on the sidewalk.

So I played along, offering a tight nod.

Ethan studied my face for a second, clearly unconvinced.

"Good timing, then. Evelyn, I need to go over a few details regarding the project audit report you submitted. If you're free now, I'll drive you home and we can discuss it on the way."

It was an absolute godsend.

"Of course," I said immediately, opening the passenger door and sliding inside.

As the car pulled away and Julian shrank into the distance, I let out a long, ragged exhale. I turned to look at Ethan.

"Director Hayes, thank you so much for that."

The hard, stoic lines of his profile softened into a faint smirk.

"We're about to be husband and wife. You don't need to thank me."

"Call me Ethan from now on."

Heat rushed into my cheeks.

I never imagined the "casual blind date" my mother set up would turn out to be Ethan Hayes.

Back then, desperate to break free from Julian's shadow from my past life, I hadn't asked many questions and rushed into the engagement.

The next morning, right after I submitted a report to Ethan's office, Sarah from the neighboring research team rushed over to my desk.

"Evelyn, you won't believe what happened."

"After the party wrapped up last night, Julian confessed that he and Chloe from Records have been secretly dating. Word is they've been together for almost a year!"

I booted up my workstation, not even bothering to look up. "Really? Good for them."

Silence fell over the cubicle.

I could feel Sarah staring at me, her expression fraught with hesitation.

"Sarah? What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

Sarah shifted nervously and lowered her voice:

"Evelyn, look, I trust you completely."

"It's just... Chloe has been telling everyone since last night that you knew she and Julian were in love, but you wouldn't stop throwing yourself at him.”

“She's telling the whole floor that you're a homewrecking third wheel!"

"Now half the staff are whispering behind your back."

My fingers froze over the keyboard.

A beat of silence passed. Then, I stood up so abruptly my chair scraped against the floor, and marched straight toward Records.

In my last life, rumors broke me and pushed me off a roof.

This time, I was going to strangle that whisper campaign before it could even draw breath.

BAM!

The heavy door banged against the wall, making everyone inside jump out of their skin.

Chloe was sitting at her desk, looking smug. "Dr. Vance, I know you're a senior researcher, but the least you could do is show some common courtesy—"

"Chloe Miller!"

I didn't come here to play polite office politics. I cut her off cold.

My voice rang out like a whip:

"On what grounds are you calling me a homewrecker who shoved her way into your relationship with Julian?"

The explosive question brought half the hallway scurrying to the open doorway to gawk.

Chloe hadn't expected me to confront her so head-on. The smugness drained from her face, replaced by sudden panic.

"I... I have no idea what you're talking about..."

I let out a cold sneer, pinning her with a predatory glare.

"You don't know? The words came out of your own mouth, and now you're playing dumb?"

"You have two choices. Either you admit right here that you're a pathological liar and apologize to me in front of everyone, or you, me, and Julian walk down to the Ethics and Disciplinary Board right now with our call logs and chat histories to see who the real side piece is!"

"Pick one. Right now."