Christian was now back with Eva and the others. His face wore an unreadable expression as he continued spending time with them.
Eva, naturally, seemed bothered by his condition. She looked like she wanted to ask something, but in the end, Christian simply shook his head. And just like that, time passed.
Night had already fallen. And maybe it was because of the indescribable atmosphere he brought back with him after stepping away earlier, but in the end, they decided to wrap things up for the day.
And so, they were now in the presidential suite they had reserved, each in their own room… though naturally, Christian was staying with Eva.
In the wide and quiet room, seated near the tall windows and watching the soft glow of the city lights outside, Eva finally couldn't hold back anymore.
She turned to him and asked, her voice gentle but probing, "So… what really happened out there? You've been ever since you came back."
Christian paused for a moment, seeming to gather his thoughts. Then, with a soft sigh, he told her everything, about the strange couple, the phone call, and his unexpected conversation with Vincent Quinn.
Eva was instantly intrigued by what she heard. Her expression sharpened with interest, and she leaned in a little closer before asking, "So then… what did you say to his offer?"
Christian let out a small chuckle. "Naturally, I still played dumb, and in the end, I hung up on him."
Eva blinked in surprise, and then suddenly burst into laughter.
The situation, rather than being troubling, ended up striking her as amusing.
After a good laugh, she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still smiling as she curiously asked, "I really don't understand where the problem is, though?"
Now that she thought about it, putting Christian's funny and dismissive response with the identity of the man on the other end, Vincent Quinn, one of the most powerful and influential men in the world aside, the whole situation did feel strange.
Because in the end, the one desperate and full of concern wasn't them.
Christian understood that as well. He knew it clearly, and yet, he still felt complicated.
And maybe sensing that, Eva gently added, "Even though he didn't want to get involved in Damian's case, in the end, he still investigated your background. And you already knew that… so this shouldn't be that surprising."
"…So is the real issue… that he's offering to compromise with you now?"
Christian exhaled slowly, his eyes reflecting the lights of the city outside, before he finally answered.
"Yes… what I had in mind for him, and the others, was a little different."
"Even if they weren't involved to the same extent as Damian… they still held some responsibility, after all."
Eva stayed silent at his response for a while, her eyes thoughtful, before she finally said, "I still don't see the problem."
"He's saying he'll give you everyone, after all."
"So that just leaves him… and who said you need to kill him to get your revenge?"
Blinking at her last statement, Christian couldn't help but voice his doubts. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said," Eva replied, her tone calm but pointed. "Settling a grudge doesn't have to mean taking someone's life. If you want, you can accept his offer for now, and later, when you're stronger, more confident, you can find the perfect way to take your revenge on him."
"If you can't… or don't want to take his life, then take everything precious to him. Break him from the inside out. And besides, at the end of the day, you're not bound to the word, you are going to give him."
"You only need to think about what benefits you, about what you want."
"In the first place, do you really believe Vincent would stay true to his word, if he found the chance to get rid of us… the nuisance standing in his way?"
Her words felt enlightening, sharp and logical. But for Christian, the real problem wasn't that. It was something more simple.
He was already strong.
And if he put aside the people from other worlds, he already had enough power to crush Vincent, his company, and every rotten connection backing him.
So him surrendering now, would just leave a bitter taste in his mouth.
"My love, don't complicate things… just do whatever you want," Eva suddenly said, her voice soft but grounding, pulling him back from his spiraling thoughts.
And Christian decided, that he would.
That's why, instead of dwelling any longer on the shit that was Vincent, he turned to something more worthwhile.
He pulled Eva's warm, soft body into his arms, and claimed her lips without hesitation.
He kissed her slowly at first, but the hunger in him built quickly. His hand slid down her side, then gripped her soft butt, kneading it with growing need.
When he finally pulled back, a thin string of saliva still clung between their lips. His voice came out low and slightly rough as he said, "Alright. I'll do exactly what I want."
His eyes now glowed with raw desire, intent on devouring her.
And Eva, already far too used to that kind of gaze from him, felt her body respond in kind. Her breath hitched slightly, her cheeks flushed, her heart raced… she was already aroused.
But still, she pulled herself back, took a slow breath to steady herself, and gently caught the hand that had already started slipping beneath her clothes.
"I want to talk to Annabelle first," she whispered. "So… how about we save that for later?"
Christian stared at her, momentarily stunned by what he had just heard.
You want to report the situation to her?
Since when were you two that close?
Questions like these and more went through his mind, but he didn't voice them, and just searched through his memories, then soon realized… this was the first time Eva had ever refused his advances.
He was slightly disappointed, but in the end, he accepted it calmly.
It was just a phone call, after all.