I Rejected Being The Investor's Mistress

Owen Morgan only realized something was off three days later. He had his team watching Evelyn Howard's apartment for two days, but they never caught sight of her. On the third day, Owen decided to visit her apartment complex himself, also setting a watch at the hospital where her sister, Gianna, was receiving treatment.

Typically, Evelyn's after-work routine was predictable to a fault. She was either at her rented place or the hospital. But he waited until late into the night, and still, there was no sign of her. The hospital was equally devoid of any sightings. Where could she have gone?

Her colleagues mentioned she showed up at work on Monday, which meant she hadn’t left Manchester. Owen's patience was wearing thin. He followed a resident into the building and stood outside apartment 502, pounding on the door in frustration.

After a while, the door creaked open to reveal a middle-aged woman. "Who are you looking for?"

Owen’s expression turned serious. "Where's Evelyn?"

"The teacher?" The woman looked him over, her voice edged with coolness. "She moved out."

Owen's face fell. "Where to?"

"No idea." The woman shook her head, eyeing him suspiciously. "You're that guy who kept pestering her, right? Let me tell you, Ms. Howard's married now. You might have a decent face, but try acting like it..."

Her voice trailed off as she shut the door quickly, leaving Owen standing there, fists clenched, knuckles turning white. He returned to his car and called his investigator, Mason.

"Find out where Evelyn Howard is living now and who she's married to. I want every detail," Owen demanded, his voice cold and menacing in the dim glow of the car.

Mason was efficient. Within five minutes, he called back. "Mr. Morgan, she did get married, but all we know is she got the license three days ago. No other details."

Silence filled the car. After a moment, Owen let out a cold laugh, a dark edge in his eyes. "Fine, very well."

In a fit of rage, he hurled his phone, and it crashed against the dashboard. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, his anger giving way to a calculated, amused smile. "Steal my girl?" he whispered. "I'll find out who you are, you can count on it."

Two days later, the afternoon sun slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Evelyn was reading English storybooks with her students when her phone vibrated on the desk. She glanced at the screen: an unknown number.

Automatically, Owen Morgan's irritating face popped into her mind. The phone vibrated persistently. Evelyn looked at her students, then decisively turned off her phone. After her class, she turned it back on and found a missed text message.

"Ms. Howard, this is Kataleya Scott. Do you have time today? I'd love to invite you for afternoon coffee."

Kataleya Scott! Evelyn's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the renowned Scott family heiress. She'd heard of Kataleya's prestigious background and formidable reputation. People from both political and business circles in Manchester treated her with respect.

Evelyn instinctively wanted to decline, but her fingers hesitated over the keyboard. She was married to Everett, after all. Meeting his family was inevitable.

"Sure, I'm free after three."

"Great, I'll send you the location."

Kataleya quickly replied with a text containing a detailed address. Evelyn stood holding her phone for a moment before she turned back to her students, readying herself for the next class.

At three o’clock, Evelyn finished up her classes for the day. She texted Everett, "Your sister invited me for coffee. Don’t worry about dinner for me."

After sending the message, she suddenly recalled Everett mentioning that he had a dinner engagement tonight and might be home late. She smacked her forehead in annoyance, pocketed her phone, and hailed a cab at the school gate, giving the driver the address Kataleya had provided.

The café Kataleya had chosen was next to a charming villa. As the cab came to a stop, Evelyn got out and was immediately captivated by the vintage building covered in blooming bougainvillea. The layered petals cast playful shadows in the sunlight.

Evelyn pushed open the door, where the rich aroma of coffee mixed with sweet pastries enveloped her. She steadied herself, eyes quickly finding the window seat where Kataleya sat.

Kataleya was dressed in a light green knit dress, her long hair loosely pinned up, showcasing her delicate neck. She held a coffee cup with an air of relaxed elegance, a hint of pride in her gaze.

Evelyn's heart skipped another beat, instinctively tightening her grip on her bag. She walked over slowly, her voice steadier than she expected, "Ms. Scott, I hope I'm not late?"

She had mentally prepared herself for potential coldness or dismissal. This kind of person, to whom she was merely an ambitious younger sister-in-law, wouldn’t likely welcome her warmly.

Kataleya glanced up, her eyes running over Evelyn. The young woman in front of her had a strikingly pale complexion, softly curving features, and when she smiled, dimples appeared on her cheeks; she seemed to radiate a pure, cheerful light.

Kataleya paused, then smiled just enough to appear polite. "Not at all, I’m just early. Please, take a seat."

She indicated the seat opposite her. Evelyn's heartbeat quickened as she nervously sat down, setting her bag aside.

Kataleya continued to observe her openly, then asked casually, "What would you like to drink?"

"Just a black coffee, please."

Kataleya gestured for a server, then turned back to Evelyn. "Why so tense? I don't bite."

Evelyn forced a small smile, looking down. "Not at all."

"Even if you were, that's to be expected." Kataleya sipped her coffee. "My brother was quite impulsive, getting married without saying a word to the family. I only heard the rumors when I got back to the country."

Evelyn's heart raced—here it was, the direct approach. Was she about to be told to take a hike?

Her mind was in a whirl until she saw Kataleya set her coffee cup down gently.

Kataleya tapped her fingers lightly on the table, her tone even. "Don’t worry, I’m not against you. Eventually, Everett needs to marry someone. If not you, it would have been someone else. I just think it was all a bit rushed. It wasn't fair to you."

Evelyn quickly interjected, "I agreed to the quick wedding. It was my decision, not Everett’s fault."

Kataleya raised an amused eyebrow, giving her a wry look.

Realizing she’d overreacted, Evelyn felt her ears warm, and she focused on drinking her coffee.

"He's lucky, then," Kataleya suddenly chuckled, reaching for a paper bag and pushing it toward Evelyn. "A gift for you. I picked it up overseas during a trip. Take it as a little something."

Evelyn recognized the luxury brand logo on the bag and shook her head. "It's too much, I really can’t accept it."

"Take it," Kataleya insisted. "We're family now; there’s no need for formalities."

Evelyn was bewildered. None of this was going as she’d anticipated. Could Kataleya really be this accommodating?