The Day Our Promise Breaks

At a restaurant, Brooks, ever the gentleman, gracefully pulled out a chair for Evelyn.

"Thank you." Evelyn expressed her gratitude as she took a seat.

Brooks was said to be the epitome of cultivation and chivalry, and indeed, his reputation was well-earned.

Brooks sat down.

After ordering their meals, neither of them spoke. Evelyn waited for Brooks to start a conversation about her work, but Brooks just kept gazing at her.

His gaze was gentle, not at all off-putting. Yet being stared at like this made Evelyn somewhat uncomfortable. She furrowed her brows slightly and met his gaze.

Her expression turned a bit cold. She wondered if he was playing with her. Could it be that his good reputation was undeserved, and he was actually a playboy? "Do you really not remember me?"

Just as Evelyn was secretly harboring doubts, Brooks spoke in a deep, unhurried, magnetic voice.

"Sorry?" Evelyn was puzzled and stared at Brooks.

What did he mean? Did they know each other?

"When do you plan to return my pen?" he asked again.

"What?" Evelyn was bewildered and completely at a loss.

Brooks' eyes dimmed slightly at her genuinely confused expression. Back then, Evelyn had eyes only for Charles.

"Never mind, I must have mistaken you for someone else." Brooks tactfully changed the subject.

Evelyn sat up straight, feeling a bit awkward.

Brooks quickly got to the point. "Ms. Evelyn, I would like to purchase your latest design for one million dollars.

you think the price is too low? No worries, we

hastily interrupted him. "It's more than enough, Mr. Brooks. What I mean is...

this time is

He was belittling Dahlia, feeling indignant on Evelyn's behalf. Evelyn picked up on it. Brooks slid a check across

before picking up the check, offering Brooks a genuinely grateful smile. "Mr. Brooks, thank you for

carefully placed the check in her bag, zipping it up before taking one more glance at

eyes welled up with tears. Charlie could finally

the better of her, Evelyn stood up, bid Brooks farewell, and headed

...

regaining her composure, Evelyn exited

a strong hand suddenly wrapped around her waist, pulling her into the adjacent men's restroom. "Charles,

instantly. She was both embarrassed and

was dragged in, she closed her eyes.

"Click-"

and Charles forcefully pressed Evelyn against the door. "Who allowed you to have dinner

breath was hot, and his deep, magnetic voice carried a chilling coldness. His actions were domineering, barely concealing his

no ties with you now. What right do you have to care who I

was very nervous. She lowered her voice, staring

to that? I haven't said yes, and

looked like he

Charles' eyes. She knew very well that his refusal to accept their breakup wasn't out of love. To him, she was only an object of desire,

should be the one to

and mercilessly replied, "Yes. I

finish her sentence, Charles

glared fiercely at Charles,