Chapter 3

Evelyn was pulling Julian along, running fast. Trailing behind her, Julian glanced at their hands—her grip firm around his. With a casual movement, he adjusted his hand, interlacing their fingers tightly. After what felt like forever, Evelyn tugged on his hand and finally came to a stop, gasping for breath. She waved her hand dismissively. "I can't... I seriously can't breathe anymore." Julian stood at her side, eyes fixed on her with a look full of meaning. Noticing his stare, Evelyn met his gaze directly. "Mr. Everett, wouldn't this count as a full-on wedding heist?" She slightly raised their linked hands, her eyes flickering with calm confidence. Julian's gaze darkened as it landed on their entwined fingers. A faint smirk played at his lips. "So what now? You want me to take responsibility?" "Well," Evelyn tilted her head, "I guess that's not off the table. But I'm more curious—what made me lured you into crashing the wedding?" Everyone in Lichester knew how crazy Evelyn had been about Nathaniel. As that thought crossed his mind, Julian suddenly let go of her hand, expression cooling. "Surely, you're not blind enough to fall for someone like me—a useless rich guy with nothing to offer." "I mean, blind's the right word," Evelyn said dryly, mocking herself. Blind enough to fall for a wolf in sheep's clothing like Nathaniel. Julian's face turned icy in a second. Evelyn kept going. "Mistaking a worthless rock for a diamond... At least now I can still back out. Don't you think?" Eyes locked on her, Julian raised a brow. "Mind if I make a wild guess? Are you... into me now?" Evelyn gave him a once-over from head to toe. "Voice? Hot. Face? Hot. Body? Also hot. Wow, you're surprisingly my type." Julian let out a cold laugh. "Didn't realize you were this shallow, Miss Knight." Evelyn: …… "If I'm not mistaken," Julian leaned in with a mocking smile, "wasn't it you in that recent interview who said you'd never go for someone like me?" His tone dropped a few notches. "In your eyes, I was just another spoiled, useless heir." As he spoke, Evelyn finally got what it meant to shoot yourself in the foot. That interview—someone had brought Julian up just to compare him with Nathaniel. And back then, all she could see was Nathaniel. So yeah... That backfired hard. Her expression shifted slightly. Clearing her throat, she met Julian's mocking gaze. "Well, people change. I happen to like your type now—is that a crime?" Julian laughed out loud. "Not at all. Just didn't expect the mighty Miss Knight to switch so fast." One corner of Evelyn's mouth twitched. She smiled sweetly but fired back, "They say women are impossible to figure out. So, give me a shot?" "A shot?" Julian echoed, eyes crinkling. "You mean, a chance to chase me?" Looking at that smug face, Evelyn suddenly grinned and crooked a finger at him. As he bent down, curious, she chuckled. "Actually, Mr. Everett, you've got it wrong." Julian frowned, about to ask what she meant, when her words hit him like a truck. "What I'm asking is... give me a shot at being Mrs. Everett." Her breath brushed against his ear, warm and teasing. Julian froze, then quickly stepped back away from her. His stare turned cold. His lips parted slightly. "Miss Knight... have you completely lost your mind?"