If Sheffield had known what Carlos had told Evelyn the previous night, he wouldn't have brought up the topic of money in front of her.
Evelyn wiped the tears off her cheeks and said in a calm voice, "I still have some money left. Why don't you take it?"
She didn't know why she said that to him. Did she really want to give him money? Or did she just want to test him?
Sheffield sighed. "Evelyn, you have to trust me," he said. "Even without performing surgeries or racing, I can still afford to do my research, and also support you. If you are curious about me, I don't mind having a face-to-face talk tonight, and we can…"
He began to flirt again. She interrupted him, "All right, I understand. Now, shut up! Go on with the surgery."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Evelyn placed her head on the office desk and felt her depression creeping up on her again.
When Calvert walked into her office, she was staring at a document in a daze. It was a subsequent document regarding the deal between ZL Group and the First General Hospital. Sheffield had signed his name on the contract on behalf of the hospital.
"Evelyn!" Calvert sat down in front of her and called her in a soft voice.
She raised her head from the document to look at him with a frown. "Why are you here?" He could now enter her office freely. Her father had granted him access.
Calvert took out two tickets from his suit pocket and placed them in front of her. "Tickets to the concert of the famous pianist, Jimmy Mi. It's on the day after tomorrow. Let's go together."
Evelyn was in no mood to go to a concert, especially with him. She refused indifferently, "Thank you, but I'm not interested."
"Not interested?" Calvert asked, feigning surprise. "I heard from Uncle Carlos that you had passed level nine of the National Piano Grading Test. Is it the concert that doesn't interest you, or is it me?"
Evelyn replied honestly, "I'm not interested in you or the concert."
He only smiled. "Evelyn, I like your upright and unyielding character. But, I know that you will come with me. Just keep the ticket for now." He looked at his watch. "It's time to get off work. I have a reservation at the fifth floor of Alioth Building. Have dinner with me."
"Sorry, I have to work overtime. Take someone else." Evelyn began to read another file.
Calvert stood up and closed the file. They stared at each other coldly, and there was a sinister look in his eyes. "I heard that Sheffield is working on a research project. One of the chemical required for his experiment is extracted from aquamarines. If I control all the transactions in Y City, do you think he will be able to continue his research normally?"
His father, Langston Ji, was a famous diamond businessman. Ji Group, ZL Group and Theo Group were the three giants that monopolized the jewelry business in Y City.
Evelyn boiled with anger. "If Ji Group wants to control the market of the aquamarines, they have to get permission from ZL Group first," she said between gritted teeth.
With a cunning smile, he told Evelyn in a soft voice, "Oh, I'm sure ZL Group will agree."
A dash of annoyance flashed across her eyes. Her father was backing up Calvert. "I won't be threatened by anyone. No one can force me to do anything I don't want to do."
"I know." Calvert sat back in his seat and loosened his tie. "The top producer of aquamarines in the world is from M Country. If I make a phone call to the producer, the supply to our country will be stopped immediately," he explained. "Evelyn, are you sure you want to cause a crisis in the jewelry market over one dinner?"
There was an eerie satisfaction on his face. This was the way he always did things. He never stopped until he got what he wanted. He didn't care what he did, or who he hurt in the process of achieving his goal.
Evelyn began to pack her things. "You're right. I don't want the market to crash over a measly meal, but…" She glared at him and added, "This dinner will just make me hate you even more."
Calvert's face turned stiff for a moment. But, he quickly adjusted his mood and said, "That's all right, Evelyn. I want you. When we spend time together, you will realize how much I love you."
Evelyn was not new to such sweet talks.
Ever since she had met Sheffield, he had used all kinds of honeyed words on her every day.
But no matter what he said, she didn't feel annoyed. He made her feel good.
But now, after hearing Calvert's sweet words, she didn't blush, nor did her heart beat any faster. Instead, she felt disgusted.
The next morning, as soon as Evelyn arrived at the company, the news of what had happened last night was leaked online.
The gossips claimed that the only son of the Ji diamond empire was dating the eldest daughter of ZL Group again. A picture was posted which showed the two of them going to the fifth floor of the Alioth Building. About an hour later, they came out of the restaurant together. The media even boldly stated that they were getting married soon.
Sheffield had stayed up late in the research lab the previous night. So, he was now sleeping in his apartment when both his phone and the doorbell rang simultaneously. He checked the caller ID and answered the phone impatiently, "Dude, it's early in the morning. You're being very noisy!"
"Hey, buddy! Open the door. Something is really wrong," Joshua said
"This better be important or I will strangle you!" he yelled.
"It is important!"
Sheffield sat up on the bed, put on his pajamas and went to open the door.
Outside the door was Joshua in a wine-red suit. With a glum look on his face, Sheffield squinted at his friend. "I haven't slept in two days. This better be worth my time."
Joshua pushed the man back into the apartment and closed the door. He looked him up and down and asked, "Did you hear the rumors on the Internet?"
"Rumor?"
"Yeah." Joshua nodded impatiently.
Sheffield sneered, "I already knew it yesterday. I don't need you to report everything to me."
"Dude, I'm talking about the latest gossip of this morning. I have bigger news for you. Where were you at seven o'clock last night?" Joshua asked in a mysterious tone.
"I was performing an operation. If you have something to say, just say it. Why are you beating around the bush?" Sheffield really wanted to kick the man out into the Pacific.
He hadn't left the operating table until a little over ten o'clock last night. After that, he had headed straight to the research lab and had stayed there until this morning.
"Did you know that Evelyn went on a date with Calvert?" Joshua asked. Thinking of the rumor on the Internet the day before, he added, "Not the date two days ago. This was last night."
'Last night?' "She didn't tell me anything about a date. And I didn't check my phone either," replied Sheffield as he scratched his messy short hair.
Only Carlos and Joshua knew about his relationship with Evelyn. Carlos wouldn't tell him anything about her, so Joshua was the only one to keep Sheffield informed.
