Chapter 87 Mr. Clark Fails to Compete for Favor
When the door opened, Eric quickly slipped inside, worried Evelyn might change her mind.
"Getting into your place is like buying a pricey ticket."
Under the light, Evelyn stood in a bathrobe, her slender waist barely a handful. Eric couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Mr. Clark, aren't your eyes a bit too bold?" William's tone was cold.
"Everyone loves beauty. My gaze is pure admiration." Eric said with a smile.
'First time anyone explained "leering" so elegantly!'
"Is this LAN's work?" Evelyn asked, eyeing the box.
"Yep, bought two. One for Edward's grandpa, one for you," Eric said, eyes sparkling. "Lily, LAN's works are handmade, only ten a year. Super rare, right?"
Evelyn coughed lightly. "Have you eaten? Want to join us?"
"No, I haven't! Been waiting at your hotel since five, not even a sip of water. I'm starving!" Eric's voice trembled with excitement.
William rolled his eyes. 'Eric really doesn't see himself as an outsider!'
"William, make another plate of pasta for Mr. Clark," Evelyn said, taking the box and heading to the living room.
William went to the kitchen while Evelyn and Eric admired LAN's work.
"So beautiful!" Evelyn sighed, feeling her soul purified.
"Lily, do you like it?" Eric asked, staring at her.
"Of course. LAN is one of my favorite contemporary artists. Her work is amazing," Evelyn said, smiling.
"I like it too."
"Thank you, Mr. Clark, for your thoughtfulness," Evelyn said, turning serious. "But I can't accept this without giving something in return. You must've worked hard to get this. Name your price, and I'll buy it."
"Lily, talking money hurts my feelings," Eric pouted, rubbing his chest.
"I love LAN's work. Planned to go to Aurora Isle this year to buy one but never had time. You've nailed it with this gift, so I'll buy it to avoid feeling guilty," Evelyn said, smiling faintly.
"No, I won't take your money!"
"Then tell me something I can do for you. If I can do it, I will," Evelyn offered.
Eric, secretly delighted, leaned closer. "Next week, will you go to Byron's birthday party with me?"
"Pick another one."
"You just said you'd agree to anything!" Eric protested.
"I really can't," Evelyn said seriously. "I promised Byron I'd go as the Wellington family's granddaughter-in-law. After that, I'm done with them. If I go with you, it might upset him. I just want to spend this 80th birthday with Byron peacefully. I won't have much time with him in the future."
As she spoke, a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes.
"Lily, you're such a good woman. Edward's a fool for letting you go," Eric sighed, thinking, 'Thank goodness he did, or I'd never have found this gem. Edward's loss is my gain!'
"So, name another price," Evelyn said, touching the crystal artwork, clearly reluctant to part with it.
"Can you call me something else instead of Mr. Clark? Is that okay?" Eric asked sincerely.
"Just that? I rarely agree to others' conditions."
"I'm already thrilled you let me stay for dinner!" Eric said, seizing the chance to flirt.
"From now on, I'll call you Eric, okay?" Evelyn asked.
"Okay! Just call me Eric!" Eric was so happy his heart trembled. To him, "Eric" was as good as "darling".
"Miss Taylor, the pasta is ready," William said, walking over in an apron, looking at Evelyn with tenderness but giving Eric a cold stare. "His plate is ready too."
"Lily, it's really inconvenient to have a male housekeeper. We have a maid, who's been with me for fifteen years. How about I send her to you? She's quick, diligent, and an excellent cook. I grew up eating her food," Eric said, glancing smugly at William.
William was so angry he crumpled the apron.
"William and I grew up together. He's my person," Evelyn said, her eyes darkening and her voice turning cold.
William felt warm inside. 'Evelyn's on my side!'
Eric almost spat blood. 'So William's her childhood friend! How could Landon be so generous, leaving him by Lily's side to show his broad-mindedness?!'
"Go wait for me in the dining room. I'll take this upstairs and be right down," Evelyn said, putting the artwork back in the box and happily carrying it upstairs.
Eric watched her light steps, feeling a tickle in his heart. He couldn't help but snap a photo of her back with his phone. 'A casual shot, yet it had the top-tier beauty of an artwork.'
At that moment, a message from Edward popped up on the screen.
[Feeling down. Come out for a drink.]
Eric's vanity surged, so he sent the photo he had just taken.
Two seconds later, Edward's call came through like a bomb.
"Hello?" Eric answered, lowering his voice.
Edward's voice was cold, like it came from hell. "Are you with Lily right now?"
"Not only am I with Lily, but I'm also at her house," Eric said smugly.
"Where does she live?!" Edward roared.
"No way? You don't even know where your ex-wife lives? Well, I can't tell you. If she hasn't told you, it means she doesn't want you to bother her."
"Eric, I'll ask you one more time. Where does Lily live?" Edward's tone was filled with malicious intent.
Eric covered his mouth, laughing. "Not telling you!"
