Evelyn POV
"I survived my family."
The words left my mouth calmly, without hesitation, but the silence that followed inside the conference room felt heavier than anything that had been said before it.
No one interrupted.
No one shifted.
For a brief moment, even the quiet hum of the digital screens seemed distant.
Then I looked directly at Alexander.
"So I think I can survive this industry too."
Another silence followed, though this one felt different.
Sharper.
More attentive.
Like something inside the room had shifted without anyone openly acknowledging it.
Alexander held my gaze for several long seconds before finally leaning back slightly in his chair, his expression remaining unreadable as always.
But one thing changed.
The way he looked at me.
Not skepticism.
Not curiosity.
Recognition.
"As long as you understand what survival costs here," he said calmly.
I didn't answer.
Because something told me he wasn't expecting one.
