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Novel Catalog
Chapter 24
Eden walked towards the car, still trying to make sense of the situation. She had been surprised by the invitation to ride with Victor. It wasn’t like him to offer such a thing, especially to someone he had just met. She didn’t know what was going through his mind, but her instincts told her that this was not an innocent gesture.
As she approached the car, she could see Victor standing by it, his tall frame casting a long shadow under the dim lights of the parking lot. He was engrossed in his conversation, his voice low but intense. Eden hesitated for a moment, observing him closely. She had heard a lot about Victor Alwynn—his sharp business acumen, his ruthless reputation, and his charisma that could make anyone feel both awe and discomfort.
When he finally ended the call, he looked up and saw Eden standing a few feet away. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he motioned for her to come closer. His gaze, though fleeting, seemed to hold a hint of something unspoken.
“Director Bleu,” he said, his voice calm but carrying a certain weight, “I hope you didn’t have to rush. The traffic can be unforgiving at this time of day.”
Eden gave him a polite smile but didn’t immediately respond. She wasn’t sure how to read his tone. There was something about the way he said her name, as though it held more meaning than just a formal title.
“No rush, Mr. Alwynn,” she replied coolly, keeping her voice steady. “Thank you for the offer.”
Victor opened the car door for her, his gesture more formal than she expected, as though this were a carefully orchestrated moment rather than a casual ride. Eden glanced at him once more before getting into the car, noting how composed he seemed despite the storm of thoughts she could only guess at.
As they drove toward Fashion Square, the silence between them was palpable. Eden had been in many tense situations, but this felt different. There was a tension in the air that made her uncomfortable, a subtle undercurrent that suggested that Victor might be thinking more than he let on. He hadn’t even mentioned the recent developments in the company, nor did he address her new role directly. Instead, he seemed more preoccupied with the streetlights that flickered by, his eyes never quite meeting hers.
Eden decided to break the silence.
“Mr. Alwynn, I have to say, I wasn’t expecting such a generous offer to ride with you. Is something going on with the team?” she asked, trying to sound casual. Her words were meant to probe without revealing too much about her own thoughts. She couldn’t afford to be too forward, but she had a strong feeling that Victor had more on his mind than just a routine dinner.
Victor’s eyes briefly shifted toward her, his expression unreadable. “Nothing unusual,” he replied, his tone dismissive. “Just wanted to have a word with the department heads. Fashion Square’s the perfect place for it.”
Eden nodded, but she wasn’t entirely convinced. She wasn’t naïve, and she could feel the intensity of his gaze even if it wasn’t fully directed at her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Victor was testing her in some way—seeing how she would respond to his subtle advances and peculiar behavior.
When the car pulled up to the restaurant, Lucian was already waiting outside, a faint look of curiosity on his face. Eden couldn’t help but wonder if Victor had sent him to keep an eye on her, or if Lucian’s expression was just the result of the unusual dynamic between the two of them.
“Director Bleu,” Lucian greeted her with his usual professionalism. “Mr. Alwynn is waiting inside.”
Eden simply nodded, stepping out of the car and walking toward the entrance of Fashion Square. Victor followed her closely, and his presence behind her made her feel both confident and on edge. As they entered the restaurant, Eden wondered just what this dinner would hold for her—whether it would be a straightforward business meeting or something much more complicated.
Victor’s true intentions were still unclear, and Eden knew that she would need to be cautious. There were too many secrets surrounding the Alwynn Group and its chairman. The more she learned, the more questions arose. And the biggest one of all was why Victor had taken such an interest in her.