The conference room at Hart Group was silent.
Executives sat on both sides of the long table, their expressions serious.
At the head of the table—
Evelyn Hart.
All eyes were on her.
Some curious.
Some doubtful.
Some openly skeptical.
After all—
She had been known only as "Mrs. Laurent" for five years.
Now she was back as Evelyn Hart.
Was she really capable?
Evelyn didn't rush.
She flipped through the documents calmly.
Then—
She spoke.
"The North District project."
Her voice was steady.
"We're taking it."
The room stirred instantly.
One executive frowned.
"Miss Hart, that project is currently under negotiation with Laurent Group."
Another added, "It's not something we can win easily."
Evelyn looked up.
Her gaze was sharp.
"Not easily," she repeated. "But not impossible."
Silence.
Then she placed a document on the table.
"Revised proposal."
The executives exchanged glances.
One of them picked it up.
As he read, his expression changed.
"This…"
More people started reading.
Shock spread across their faces.
This wasn't a simple revision.
This was a complete strategic overhaul.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
More aggressive.
Chairman Hart, who had been watching silently, finally smiled.
"Not bad."
Evelyn leaned back slightly.
"Prepare the bid."
No hesitation.
No doubt.
The room fell silent again.
This time—
No one questioned her.
---
Meanwhile—
Laurent Group.
Damian stood in the conference room, his expression cold.
"The Hart Group is entering the bid," his assistant reported.
Damian's eyes darkened.
"Who approved it?"
"Miss Evelyn Hart."
Silence.
A strange tension filled the room.
Damian's fingers tapped lightly against the table.
Evelyn…
Again.
For the first time—
Her name carried weight.
Not as his ex-wife.
But as a competitor.
"Interesting," he said quietly.
Then his lips curved slightly.
"Let's see what she can do."
---
That evening—
Evelyn stepped out of the building.
The city lights flickered on one by one.
A familiar black car was parked across the street.
The window rolled down slowly.
And then—
She saw him.
Damian Laurent.
He stepped out of the car, his gaze fixed on her.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unavoidable.
Their eyes met across the street.
For a brief moment—
Time seemed to freeze.
Evelyn didn't look away.
Not this time.
Damian walked toward her.
Step by step.
Each step heavy with something unspoken.
He stopped in front of her.
Close.
Too close.
"Evelyn."
Her name sounded different in his voice this time.
Not indifferent.
Not distant.
But not warm either.
Something else.
Something unfamiliar.
Evelyn met his gaze calmly.
"Yes, Mr. Laurent?"
Again.
That title.
That distance.
Damian's expression darkened slightly.
"You're competing with me now?"
Evelyn smiled faintly.
"Business is business."
Simple.
Direct.
Unapologetic.
Damian stared at her.
For the first time—
He realized something clearly.
The woman standing in front of him…
Was no longer the one he could control.
And for some reason—
That realization irritated him more than anything else.
Evelyn tilted her head slightly.
"If that's all, I have things to do."
She turned.
And walked past him.
No hesitation.
No pause.
As if he was no longer worth stopping for.
Damian stood there.
Watching her leave.
His jaw tightened slightly.
Something in his chest—
Shifted.
---
Across the street—
Inside a dark car—
A pair of eyes watched everything quietly.
The man leaned back, a faint smile on his lips.
"Interesting…"
He tapped his fingers lightly.
"Very interesting."
Evelyn Hart.
The game had officially begun.