I Rejected Being The Investor's Mistress

Evelyn Howard took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, managing a sheepish smile. "Wow, what a coincidence! It's your sister's restaurant... no wonder it's so posh and classy."

Everett Scott merely smiled softly, not saying a word.

Feeling a bit flustered, Evelyn raised her hand to cover her face, mumbling through her fingers, "I'm sorry, Mr. Scott. I didn't mean to knock your sister's restaurant. Just pretend I was babbling. I'm just a simple person, not used to such elegance..."

Her voice was muffled, carrying a touch of self-deprecating humor.

Everett looked at her and unexpectedly reached out to pat her head. "If my sister knew someone genuinely wanted to give her feedback, she’d be thrilled."

Evelyn peered through her fingers, one eye open. "Really? Then can you please not tell her what I just said?"

Everett chuckled softly, "Alright, it’ll be our little secret."

As he spoke, the flickering shadows of his eyelashes appeared under the lights, his sharp features complemented by a tailored black shirt with sleeves rolled up, revealing a strong forearm. He looked like he had just stepped out of a magazine, yet his gaze was warm and inviting.

"If we try another place, we might have to wait. How about we eat here? Don’t worry about the cost; I'll make sure we get a nice discount."

Charmed by his offer, Evelyn nodded instinctively. "Oh, okay."

Everett signaled a waiter and ordered a few dishes.

Evelyn listened and suddenly paused. Baked pepper sauce eggs, scallop seafood soup, ravioli... all her favorites.

She lowered her gaze, her eyelashes fluttering softly. Perhaps these were just popular choices, or maybe Everett liked them too?

The waiter finished taking the order and gave Evelyn a curious glance before leaving. It wasn't rude, just so openly curious that it made Evelyn a bit uncomfortable.

Once the waiter left, whispers broke out from the waiting area.

"My gosh, she's not wearing makeup! Her skin looks even better than that actress I served last time!"

"Well, how else would Mr. Scott bring her here himself? Didn't you hear? She was criticizing the restaurant, and he just smiled at her!"

The voices weren't loud, but they made Evelyn fiddle with her warm earlobe, sneaking a peek at the man across from her.

Everett calmly sipped his coffee, unfazed, as if the conversations had nothing to do with him.

Just as Evelyn was about to say something, the appetizers arrived.

Her stomach growled impatiently, prompting her to grab a piece of baked pepper egg, her eyes lighting up instantly.

"Delicious!"

It truly was. The runny yolk coated with spicy pepper sauce provided a burst of mild heat, complemented by the creamy, rich flavor of the egg, each taste distinct.

Unable to resist, she took a sip of the soup. The creamy base captured the essence of seafood, without a hint of fishiness.

The saying "you get what you pay for" held true.

Focused on her meal, Evelyn didn't notice that Everett was constantly adding dishes to her plate.

He used shared utensils to place a piece of ravioli on her plate and refilled her glass with warm water, actions so seamless they seemed second nature.

In the waiting area, two waitresses clasped each other's arms in excitement, practically bouncing with glee.

Completely unaware, Evelyn continued to eat heartily.

When she was finally full, she looked up to meet his amused gaze.

Only then did she notice that he had barely touched his meal.

"Why aren't you eating?" Evelyn asked, slightly embarrassed.

"Watching you eat is satisfying enough."

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.

His words seemed to imply…

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Everett spoke again.

"Miss Howard," he said, his gaze steady and intense, "how do you feel about me right now? Do you think I'm suitable for marriage?"

Evelyn's breath caught.

He remained seated, neither rushing nor pressuring her, yet she felt inexplicably tense.

"Mr. Scott, marriage is a big deal. Can I ask why you want to marry me?"

Everett folded his hands and replied frankly, "The family elders aren't in the best health, and their insistence on my marriage grows stronger each year. Plus, my niece Clover is very fond of you, so..."

Though Everett didn't finish, Evelyn understood.

She lowered her lashes, hesitating.

She did need a stable marriage to straighten out her current situation.

But…

At the school gates this afternoon, she had overheard some parents talking.

The Scotts of Manchester—a powerful family with unwavering influence. The family leader was a standout among the younger generation, known for sharp business acumen and commanding presence.

Such a man, wanting to marry, could easily have a line of socialites in Manchester to choose from.

Why come all the way to Manchester to find a primary school teacher with no background or connections?

With these thoughts, Evelyn looked up at Everett, her gaze clear. "Mr. Scott, thank you for telling me. But I'm afraid there's no one supporting me. This kind of marriage arrangement—I can’t afford to play around with."