Chapter 221

"The kind that... excites men..."

Silence filled the other end of the line before a soft chuckle came through. "Have you really sunk so low that you need drugs to attract a man's attention?"

Chloe Valentine's grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. "Spare me the lecture. Can you get it or not?"

"Wait."

The call ended abruptly.

Chloe lay back on the plush bed, staring at the ornate crystal chandelier above. This level of luxury was something she'd never dared dream of before.

Now that she'd tasted it, she'd never let go.

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as Evelyn Langley finished tidying her apartment and packed a lunch box.

In the lab, her slender frame was accentuated by the white coat as she meticulously recorded data.

The "Save Successful" chime sounded. Rubbing her stiff shoulders, she retrieved the lunchbox from the fridge.

"Something smells amazing!" Natalie Blanchet followed the aroma. "What did you bring today, Evelyn?"

Inside the container, golden lemon chicken wings sat beside vibrant garlic broccoli.

"Want to try?" Evelyn offered chopsticks.

Natalie eagerly grabbed a wing. Her eyes lit up at the first bite. "Oh my god! This is incredible!"

The crispy exterior gave way to tender meat, with lemon perfectly cutting through the richness.

"No way." Oliver Lancelot approached, eyeing the food hungrily. "I already ate lunch, but..."

"I'm making sweet and sour ribs tomorrow," Evelyn said with a smile.

"C-can I reserve a portion?" Oliver rubbed his hands together hopefully.

Natalie suddenly suggested, "Why don't we have dinner at Evelyn's place tonight?"

"Sounds great!" Vincent Macmillan looked up from his microscope. "Should we invite Professor Klein?"

"I'll check." Natalie pulled out her phone. "His last lecture should be ending soon."

Evelyn smiled faintly as she organized equipment. These ordinary moments held a quiet warmth.