Chapter 3

When Heath looked up and saw the woman standing in the doorway, he froze. He didn't recognize Evelyn at first, not until she called out, "Professor Jensen."

Making sure not to make his reaction noticeable, he schooled his expression and said, "You're here."

Evelyn took off her face mask and stepped into the office, saying, "It's been a while since I last saw you, Professor Jensen."

Heath smiled gently. "It has been quite some time. I almost couldn't recognize you."

"I was pretty embarrassed about showing up like this in front of you, too," Evelyn said with a self-deprecating smile.

Heath stood up and rounded the desk. "It's normal for your figure to change during pregnancy. Once the baby's born, it'll get better. Have a seat."

Evelyn sat down on the couch, and Heath poured her a cup of warm water. "Warm yourself up."

"Thanks," she said as she took the cup from him.

Heath glanced at her belly. "How far along are you?"

"It's been 25 weeks," Evelyn replied.

"That means your due date is right around the time the semester starts, at the end of January next year."

"I'd like your help with that, Professor Jensen," Evelyn beseeched. "Is it possible for me to delay my enrollment?"

She couldn't get out of having this baby, but she really didn't want to miss this opportunity either.

"Why do you want to go?" Heath queried, his expression serious.

Evelyn lowered her gaze. "Once the baby is born, Carlton is planning to get a divorce. I don't want to maintain this toxic relationship that was doomed from the start anyway. I want to begin living my life again."

Six months was neither too long nor too short a time, but to her, it felt as long as a lifetime.

Heath couldn't help but frown. The fact that the once cheerful and adorable Evelyn had changed so drastically in a short span made it clear to him the kind of physical and emotional torment she had endured.

"I'm glad that you've thought things through and have pulled yourself together again. It's true that you and Carlton aren't right for each other. In the future, you'll find someone who truly loves you."

Evelyn nodded, her eyes still lowered.

Back then, Heath had opposed her decision to work as Carlton's assistant, but she had insisted upon it. Her stubbornness resulted in nothing but pain for her.

"What kind of person is Carlton to you, Professor Jensen?" she abruptly asked.

After a moment of silence, Heath replied, "He's someone who will stoop to anything to achieve his goals. He puts personal benefit above all else. It's unlikely that he could feel genuine love for another."

"Is that so?"

Evelyn knew that the tenderness in the way Carlton treated Serena couldn't be faked. It probably meant that he loved her with all her heart. That was why he was willing to humble himself that way.

Only a pretty young woman like that was worthy of him.

Evelyn didn't continue with that subject.

"Since you've made up your mind, I'll help you apply for delayed enrollment," Heath said.

"Thank you, Professor Jensen."

Heath had her fill out an application form. When she was done, he suddenly asked, "After the child is born, will you leave her with the Shaws?"

Evelyn smiled helplessly. Even if she wanted to take the baby with her, it was impossible. Her only option was to leave the baby. "The Shaws will probably take good care of her."

Heath didn't ask further. "It just so happens that I need an assistant. It'll only be for a month. Do you want to give it a shot?"

Evelyn agreed to it without any hesitation. "Sure."

Ever since she became pregnant, Carlton transferred her to an inconsequential position within the executive support team. She went from being the CEO's assistant to a complete nobody. All of her prior efforts had gone down the drain.

What she needed now was a new job to keep her distracted, allowing her to move on with her life once more.

This was a good chance to prepare in advance for her PhD study.

Since Evelyn had already taken the day off work, she stayed at the university and took on the role of Heath's assistant. She'd been his student before, and during her time as Carlton's assistant, her workload had been quite intense as well.

Therefore, despite having been reduced to doing menial tasks for a few months, she was still able to pick things up again very quickly. She handled all of the tasks with ease.

As she worked, she felt as though she'd gone back to being her former self—she'd rediscovered her self-worth.

Just as Heath had said, she should be flourishing in her career right now. Love shouldn't have been the only thing in her life.

Carlton didn't return to the villa at Crown Bay that night, which was usual for him. He only came back to the house on occasion.

The only difference was that Evelyn no longer cared about that.

…

The next morning, Evelyn prepared her resignation letter in advance.

Carlton oversaw Shaw Group's dealings in the financial sector, including banks and investment companies. It was a cutthroat environment filled with people who fought ruthlessly over profit.

Yet, he was still able to rely on his own strength to take charge of the Shaw family's core business. Not only that, but he kept expanding the family's influence, buying up other companies in the industry. This was proof of how intelligent and capable he was—and even more proof that he had the cold and ruthless heart needed for the job.

When Evelyn arrived at the office, she ran right into Carlton, who was getting out of the car.

His tall, broad figure was covered in a tailored suit. The wealth and status afforded to him perfectly complemented his handsome bearing, adding to his distinguished charm.

"Good morning, Mr. Shaw," the company employees greeted respectfully.

Evelyn snapped out of her thoughts and hurriedly lowered her head, taking two steps back. Carlton strode into the office as if he hadn't even seen her.

Evelyn handed her resignation letter to Sherry Howe, Carlton's secretary. Sherry was once Evelyn's subordinate, but their positions had flipped, with Evelyn now reporting to Sherry instead.

The entire executive support team that worked for Carlton was stunned when they heard that Evelyn had been demoted. She'd worked as his assistant ever since she graduated from university.

The role of an assistant required more than just professional ability. A candidate's appearance mattered a great deal as well. Yet, despite being rather average-looking both in looks and in figure, Evelyn had been selected for the job anyway. That proved she was capable enough at the job that her less-than-ideal outward appearance could be overlooked.

The stern and demanding Carlton had also praised her for her work before.

However, Sherry was convinced she knew the so-called truth. Evelyn was nothing more than a deluded status chaser who wanted to get into Carlton's bed. No matter how good she was at her job, she was still just a gold digger.

That was precisely why Carlton detested her.

After glancing at the resignation letter, Sherry looked at Evelyn's belly before flashing a mocking smirk at her. "It's always wise to know your place. You should spend more time looking at yourself in the mirror. Don't assume you can marry rich just because you got pregnant. Don't forget who the Shaws are—and who you are."

No one in the company knew that Evelyn and Carlton were legally married.