Evelyn trudged into the office, exhausted from the short commute. A hectic week had taken its toll, and she was counting down the days until the weekend. As she settled at her desk, she rubbed her tired eyes, still feeling the effects of a late night spent working on a crucial project that could make or break her chances of becoming assistant manager. Just as she was about to relax, her manager appeared behind her, calling out her name. Evelyn quickly turned to face him.

"What progress have you made on the project?" he asked, his gaze piercing despite Evelyn's evident exhaustion.

"I've made significant headway, sir," she replied hesitantly. His raised eyebrow prompted further explanation. "I'm finalising the details, sir. It's complex, but I'm confident in my abilities."

Her manager's expression remained sceptical, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed Evelyn's confidence. "I'm sure you are," he said finally, his voice firm but not unkind. "This project is crucial for the company's future, and I expect nothing but perfection."

Evelyn nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I understand, sir. I'll make sure it's done to the highest standard." She paused, gathering her thoughts before speaking again. "May I ask, sir, when is the deadline for completion?"

Her manager's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he responded. "You have till Monday, Evelyn. I expect to see the final product on my desk by then." With that, he turned and walked away.

As Evelyn took a deep breath, she acknowledged the current stress at work, but her love for her job as a loan officer shone through. Evaluating loans, making decisions, and meeting clients were tasks she handled regularly, and despite the present pressure, her passion for her role remained strong.

As Evelyn softly opened her laptop and waited for it to start up, George, a charming but flirtatious coworker from customer care, strolled over to chat. He often visited Evelyn's desk, drawn by her charm and beauty.

George ambled over, grinning. "Hey, future assistant manager!" he teased. Evelyn smiled politely, her expression a mix of amusement and courtesy.

George's comment was lighthearted, but Evelyn's smile seemed to be more of a polite reflex than genuine enthusiasm. As he approached her desk, she wondered what he wanted this time.

George settled into the chair beside her desk, a familiar gesture that hinted he'd be staying for a bit.

"Need a loan, maybe?" George joked, winking at Evelyn. "Sixty grand should cover it, my girlfriend's been eyeing a designer purse." Evelyn laughed, shaking her head good-naturedly.

"As soon as my laptop boots up, we'll get that loan processed," Evelyn said with a smile. George gave a triumphant fist pump, clearly joking around.

Evelyn chuckled at George's antics. "So you really would take out a $60,000 loan for a purse?" she asked, amused.

George grinned. "Hey, I'm nice and romantic, and it sad, let's face it, nice guys finish last."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Who told you that?" As her laptop finally powered up, she began checking for pending loan approvals.

"No one did, I've just noticed it in my past relationships," George said. "Good girls always seem drawn to the bad boys." Evelyn turned away from her laptop, her gaze lingering on George with mild curiosity.

"That might be true for high school romances, but adults are different; women appreciate guys with good hearts."

"Really?" He asked curiously as he played with the pen on her desk.

"Of course." Evelyn replied.

"So if I asked you out for dinner, you would say yes?" George asked, catching Evelyn off guard and leaving her torn

With a smile, Evelyn said,

"Go to your desk, George."

"Ha! Told you, good girls aren't into good guys," George said with a grin.

Evelyn rolled her eyes,

"We're coworkers George. It's not that simple."

"Really?"

Evelyn nodded. "Exactly, working with someone you're dating can be weird. It would probably be weird for you, too."

George's face lit up with a mischievous grin. "So, if I quit my job here, will you go out with me?"

Evelyn's face lit up with a warm smile as she leaned her head on her hand. "You're willing to quit your job because of me?"

George's reply was matter-of-fact: "Romantics do crazy things." Evelyn laughed, shaking her head. "Go back to your desk, George."

As George stood up to leave, he turned back with a grin. "By the way, cancel that loan request no $60,000 purse for you," he said, chuckling to himself as he headed back to his desk.

"Oh, I've approved the loan, you'll be swimming in cash in five short minutes," Evelyn said with a playful smile.

George's grin faltered for a moment as Evelyn's words caught up to him. He spun around, eyes wide with mock horror. "You didn't!".

Evelyn's workday was quiet, a typical lull since loan inquiries were sporadic. With some free time, she dove back into her project. Just as she settled in, a tall, muscular man emerged from the crowd. His black hair was perfectly styled, and his tailored black suit accentuated his physique. Though his chiselled features made him attractive, his piercing gaze conveyed an air of intensity, as if he were a man with a purpose.

Evelyn's professional demeanour kicked in as she greeted the man with a warm smile, despite sensing something guarded about him. "Welcome to Citibank," she said, her tone friendly and inviting. The man sat down without a word, his silence intriguing. Evelyn's curiosity piqued, she asked, "How can I assist you today, sir?"

"I'm interested in getting a loan," he stated, his expression unreadable. "A significant amount."

Evelyn's response was warm and professional: "I'd be delighted to walk you through our loan options. Can you tell me what type of loan you're looking for and what you plan to use it for?"

He hesitated before saying,

"I need a loan that would deposit a hundred thousand dollars into my account within five minutes," he said icily. "The purpose of the loan is none of your business."

Though taken aback by his rudeness, Evelyn maintained her composure, her smile unwavering. "Okay sir, I can't promise you it would get into your account in five minutes but let's discuss the options," she said. "We offer personal loans with higher interest and strict terms, bridge loans for immediate needs with high interest, and cash advance loans with significant fees. Which would you prefer?"

After a brief pause, Daymian responded curtly, "The second one."

"So, the bridge loan," Evelyn confirmed, her eyes meeting his. "May I see your ID, please?"

Daymian handed it over without a word. After verifying his identity, Evelyn's expression turned professional but concerned as she reviewed his account. "Mr. Daymian, it appears you have an outstanding loan that's overdue," she said gently.

Daymian's response was curt: "And?"

Evelyn's tone remained firm. "Unfortunately, bank policy prohibits approving new loans when previous ones are still pending, especially when they're overdue."

He's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. "That's unacceptable," he said, his voice low and even. "I need the loan now. Can't you make an exception?"

Evelyn's professional demeanour remained firm. "I understand your situation, sir, but bank policies are clear. You'd need to settle the outstanding loan before we can consider another."

Daymian's demeanour shifted, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "I want to speak to your manager," he said, his voice dripping with menace.

Evelyn's eyes narrowed slightly as she asked, "May I know why?" But Daymian's response was a low, deliberate growl: "Get. Me. Your. Manager." The words hung in the air like a threat.

When Evelyn hesitated, citing her manager's busyness, Daymian's anger boiled over. "Get me the freaking manager!" he bellowed, slamming his fist on the desk. The sound echoed through the bank, drawing curious glances. The manager emerged from his office, striding over to Evelyn's desk to investigate the commotion.

As Mr. William approached, Evelyn filled him in on the situation. "This man wants a loan, sir, but he has an overdue loan. I've tried to explain that we can't approve another loan, but he's refusing to listen."

However, when Mr. William locked eyes with Daymian, his bravado faltered. The infamous mafian's presence seemed to drain the colour from his face. "Evelyn, let's take this discussion to my office," he said abruptly, his voice tight with tension. He looked at Daymian and said, "She'll be back sir."

Once inside the manager's office, he shut the door and turned to face her, his eyes betraying a mixture of fear and anxiety.

"Evelyn, I need you to approve that man's loan," Mr. William said, his voice low and urgent.

Evelyn's curiosity got the better of her. "Why?" she asked.

Mr. William's expression turned grave. "You don't know who he is, do you?" Evelyn shook her head, intrigued.

"That's Daymian Ethan, a notorious figure with a reputation that extends far beyond these walls. The police don't dare cross him, he owns the street."

Evelyn's eyes widened as fear crept in.

"But what about his outstanding loan, we haven't even worked the process."

Mr. William's tone turned stern. "Just approve it, whatever it takes to get the money into his account right now, do it, If you don't, he would come back for us, now go, attend to him quickly so he could leave, we can't afford to upset him. He's not a man to be kept waiting."

Evelyn returned to her desk, her eyes locking onto Daymian's with a mix of fear and resignation.

"Your loan will be processed within five minutes sir," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her face betrayed her inner turmoil, the weight of compromising her professional integrity settling heavily on her shoulders. She knew that approving a loan to an overdue customer like Daymian could tarnish her reputation within Citibank and potentially derail her aspirations of becoming an assistant manager.

As the transaction was finalised, Daymian received the funds without delay. A smile spread across his face, and he nodded at Evelyn. "Thanks," he said, his tone dripping with satisfaction. However, Evelyn's response was a stark contrast; her expression remained sombre, her lips pressed into a thin line. She couldn't muster the faintest hint of a smile.

Daymian's eyes lingered on Evelyn's tense face, and for a moment, he seemed to study her reaction. Then, with a slight nod, he stood up, turned and walked away, leaving Evelyn to breathe a sigh of relief.

As the door swung shut behind Daymian, Evelyn let out a slow breath, her shoulders sagging in relief. She couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just dodged a bullet, but the weight of her compromised professional integrity lingered. Her eyes drifted to her computer screen, the loan approval still fresh on her monitor.

Just as she was about to process her emotions, her phone rang, shrill in the silence. "Miss Taylor, my office," Mr. William's voice was curt, devoid of warmth. Evelyn's heart sank. Was this about Daymian? She stood up, smoothing her clothes, and made her way to her boss's office, her mind racing with possibilities.

The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, her eyes locking onto Mr. William's expectant gaze. "Close the door," he said, his tone firm. Evelyn's instincts screamed a warning. What was coming next?

Mr. William's expression softened slightly as he observed Evelyn's unease. He knew she'd been coerced into approving the loan, and a pang of sympathy stirred within him. "Evelyn, I want you to know that I understand the circumstances surrounding Mr. Ethan's loan," he said gently.

Evelyn's eyes widened slightly, hope flickering to life within them. "Sir?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Your integrity and competence haven't gone unnoticed, Evelyn," Mr. William continued. "And I truly believe you have the potential to excel in this role. Becoming assistant manager is still within reach."

A small smile played on Evelyn's lips, gratitude mingling with relief. "Thank you, sir," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Mr. William leaned forward, his voice taking on a reassuring tone. "Just remember, sometimes difficult decisions are necessary. But it's how we navigate those challenges that defines us."

Evelyn felt a weight lift off her shoulders as Mr. William's words reassured her. She realised that she wasn't alone in this situation and that her boss understood the complexities involved. "Thank you, sir," she repeated, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Mr. William nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Now, let's focus on moving forward. I want you to continue doing what you do best making sound financial decisions and representing our bank with integrity."

As the tension in the room dissipated, Evelyn felt a sense of determination rising within her. She was grateful for Mr. William's guidance and support. "I won't let you down, sir," she said, her voice filled with conviction.

With renewed confidence, Evelyn left Mr. William's office, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. But little did she know, Daymian's influence extended further than she could have ever imagined.

As Evelyn walked back to her desk, she couldn't shake off the feeling that Daymian's presence still lingered in the bank.

The next morning, Evelyn woke up before her alarm, feeling drained. The past week had been the most gruelling of her career, and she was counting down the hours until the weekend. After a short night, she dragged herself out of bed and began her morning routine. She brushed her teeth and then stepped into the shower, hoping the warm water would wash away some of the stress and fatigue.

As the warm water cascaded down her body, Evelyn felt some of the tension melt away. She closed her eyes, letting the soothing sensation calm her frazzled nerves. For a brief moment, she forgot about Daymian, the loan, and the pressure from work.

But as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel, reality crept back in. She glanced at her phone, noticing a text from her best friend, Rachel: "Hey, girl! How's it going? Need to vent about work?"

Evelyn hesitated for a moment before responding. Maybe talking to Rachel would help her process everything. She typed out a response: "Actually, yeah. I need to talk."

Rachel responded almost immediately: "Girl, I'm free tonight! Let's grab dinner and catch up. I'll meet you at Bella Vita at 7?"

Evelyn smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Talking to Rachel always helped her gain perspective. She typed out a quick response: "Sounds perfect. See you then!"

Evelyn prepared for work, dressed, and headed out to her car without stopping for breakfast, planning to grab a coffee at the office instead. The short drive was uneventful, and she soon arrived at work. She made her way to her desk, set down her belongings, and let out a deep sigh before diving into her tasks. The rest of Evelyn's day flew by in a blur of meetings and paperwork. But she found herself looking forward to dinner with Rachel, eager to share her story and get her friend's insight.

As she got ready for dinner, Evelyn felt a sense of anticipation. She hoped Rachel's calm and rational perspective would help her navigate the chaos that had been swirling around her.

When Evelyn arrived at Bella Vita, Rachel was already seated at a cosy table by the window, sipping a glass of wine. Evelyn smiled warmly as she settled into her seat. "Hey! Thanks for meeting up on short notice," she said, signalling the waiter for a drink menu.

Rachel leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what's going on? You said you needed to talk about work?"

Evelyn took a deep breath, launching into the story of Daymian's loan approval and how it had put her assistant manager position at risk. She explained the pressure she'd faced and her meeting with Mr. William, where he'd reassured her that he still believed in her potential.

Rachel listened intently, her expression empathetic. "That sounds incredibly tough," she said. "But it sounds like Mr. William is on your side. What are you worried about?"

Evelyn hesitated, "I'm just scared that this might still affect my career. I don't want one mistake to define me."

Rachel reached out and put a reassuring hand on Evelyn's arm. "You're not defined by one decision, especially when it was made under pressure. You're a talented and capable person, and this too shall pass."

"Thanks, Racheal, speaking of Daymian, he doesn't even seem like he would pay back the loan. Mr. William claims he owns the street." She said as the waiter brought the menu to her. She politely collected it and requested a herbal tea to ease her tension.

Rachel's eyes widened in surprise. "He owns the street? What does that even mean?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Evelyn shook her head. "I have no idea. Mr. William seemed hesitant to discuss it further. But honestly, I'm more concerned about covering my own back. I don't want Daymian's loan defaulting to reflect poorly on me."

The waiter returned with Evelyn's herbal tea, and she took a grateful sip, feeling the soothing warmth spread through her body.

Rachel leaned in, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "You need to be careful, Evelyn. If Daymian's financial situation is as shaky as you say, you don't want to get caught in the crossfire."

Evelyn nodded thoughtfully, taking another sip of her tea. "I know. I've been trying to stay one step ahead, but it's hard when I don't have all the information. Do you think I'm overreacting?"

Rachel considered her friend's question before responding. "No Evelyn but I think you're right to be cautious. You've got a lot on the line, and you can't afford to take unnecessary risks. Maybe it's time to do some digging and see what you can find out about Daymian's business dealings?"

"Honestly, nothing will change with Daymian, he's not going to pay back the loan. My worry is that his actions will tank my chances of getting promoted to assistant manager." Evelyn's voice was laced with frustration. "If he defaults on this loan, it'll be another black mark against my name. I've worked too hard to get where I am, and I won't let Daymian's recklessness ruin my chances of moving up to assistant manager."

Rachel nodded in understanding. "You need to distance yourself from this situation, Evelyn. Maybe there's a way to flag the loan for review or get someone else to take over?"

The waiter approached their table, menu in hand, but Evelyn waved him off. "Not yet, please."

Evelyn sighed, "Flagging the loan now would just make them point fingers at me for approving it in the first place. And who'd want to take on this risk? If it were a smaller amount, I'd consider covering it myself, but a hundred thousand is out of my league."

Rachel nodded sympathetically. "I get it. You're between a rock and a hard place. Maybe we can brainstorm some other options?"

Evelyn shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. "I don't know...I've been racking my brain, but every solution I come up with seems to have its own set of problems."

The waiter returned, noticing the tense atmosphere. "Everything okay? Ready to order?"

Evelyn forced a smile. "Just give us a few more minutes, please."

The waiter nodded and discreetly retreated. Rachel leaned in, her voice low. "Let's think this through. If Daymian defaults, what's the worst-case scenario for you?"

Evelyn hesitated, then spelt it out. "I'd likely face disciplinary action, maybe even get demoted or fired. My reputation would take a hit, and my chances of becoming assistant manager would be ruined."

"Hold on isn't Mr. William on your side, why would he let that happen?"

"It's not up to him to fire me, it's not even up to him to make me assistant manager, it's up to our head office."

"Wow," she whispered, Rachel's expression turned determined. "We'll figure something out. We always do."

Evelyn appreciated Rachel's optimism, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of impending doom. "I hope so. I really do. But I have a bad feeling about this."

Rachel reached out and put a reassuring hand on Evelyn's arm. "We'll figure something out. I promise."

That reassuring phrase hung in the air, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise uncertain situation.

After a long day, Evelyn trudged home, exhausted. She went straight to her room, stripped off her clothes, and took a refreshing shower. Changing into her nightwear, she lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Later, she sat up, grabbed her laptop, and started searching online for any information about Daymian. Given Mr. William's claim that Daymian "owns the street," she expected to find plenty about him online. However, her search yielded nothing notable about Daymian, leaving her with more questions than answers.

Evelyn's eyes scanned the search results, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed in different keywords. Suddenly, a forum thread caught her attention. The title was vague, but the username "Lilstreet43" seemed out of place among the other results.

She clicked on the thread and scrolled through the comments. One post in particular made her heart skip a beat:

"Stay away from Daymian's Empire and the shadows, you don't want to get caught in the crossfire."

The words sent a shiver down Evelyn's spine. What Empire? what shadow? And what crossfire? She read the comment again, wondering if it was just a paranoid rant or a genuine warning.

The anonymity of the internet made it impossible to discern fact from fiction. Yet, the warning resonated deep within her. She felt a growing sense of unease, as if she had stumbled into something much bigger than herself.

Evelyn woke up to the familiar sight of her computer screen, realising she had dozed off while searching for Daymian the night before. Despite feeling tired, the prospect of the weekend boosted her mood, and she found the motivation to get ready for work. As she entered the bathroom, her reflection in the mirror revealed the toll stress had taken on her face. After dressing, she headed to the office, arriving shortly after a brief drive. As she settled into her seat, George ambled over, toothpick in mouth, and perched himself on her desk.

Evelyn's smile grew as George nodded at her with a casual "Sup," his tone dripping with humour. She chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "What do you want this time, George?" she asked, playing along.

George's expression turned mock-serious. "So, uh... I just quit my job, you know." He glanced at the back of his fingers, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Evelyn's curiosity was piqued. "Really? Why's that?" she asked, humouring him.

George's grin returned. "Apparently, it's going to be weird dating a coworker, so I quit."

Evelyn's eyes sparkled with amusement as she teased George. "Hmm, that's interesting. And can you tell me who the lucky coworker is?"

George held up his hand, mimicking Evelyn's height. "Let's just say she's about this tall." He widened his hands, gesturing to her beauty. "And she's about this pretty."

Evelyn played along, her voice laced with humour. "Wow, she seems like a great girl. What's her name?"

George's face lit up with a cute expression as he said, "Uh... you..." Evelyn's expression remained neutral, and George sighed, "I'm a terrible flirt, aren't I?"

Evelyn chuckled, "No, you're not. I think you're cute. Good girls like cute guys."

George's face fell, "But you don't." Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her eyes half-closed. "Do you like me?"

George shifted uncomfortably, struggling to respond. "Nah..."

Evelyn's voice took on a gentle tone, "Really? Girls love guys who have the courage to tell them how they feel, you know?"

George smirked. "Yeah, who doesn't? Girls love it when a guy expresses himself so they can turn them down."

Evelyn playfully rolled her eyes. "Come on, that's a lie. Who's telling these things?"

George nodded confidently. "Nope, it's the truth. Girls can be complicated."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "And men aren't?"

George's response was smooth. "Well, men's lives aren't that complicated. We just love doing things we love and going for what we feel is best for us."

Evelyn playfully teased, "That's right. That explains why a man sees you for the first time and boom, he says he loves you, whereas he just thinks you're cute. You know, just because you think a woman is cute doesn't mean you love her."

George's eyes locked onto Evelyn's, filled with genuine emotion. "Well sometimes, you meet someone who lingers in your mind," he said softly. "No matter how hard you try to shake them off, they only seem to stick around longer, and before you know it, you're falling deeper."

The sincerity in his voice and gaze left Evelyn wondering if he was speaking from personal experience and if she was the one he was thinking of.

Evelyn's eyes followed George as he stood up, a playful smile still on his face. "I guess that happens too," she said, her voice light.

George nodded, his smile growing wider. "Yeah, I should get back to my desk before Mr. William fires me."

Evelyn chuckled, "But I thought you said you quit?"

George's expression turned innocent. "Did I?" he said, pretending not to know what she was talking about, as he walked away toward his desk.

As George walked away, Evelyn's thoughts snapped back to reality. Work, loans, and the stress of potentially losing her assistant manager position due to Daymian's influence weighed heavily on her mind.

She couldn't help but think about Mr. Williams' claim that Daymian "owns the street." The idea of someone with that kind of power struggling financially seemed almost comical. "A guy who owns the street begging for a loan?" she thought to herself, a mix of disdain and curiosity swirling in her mind.

The situation seemed pathetic, and Evelyn couldn't understand why Mr. Williams seemed so intimidated by Daymian. She shook her head, refocusing on her work and the challenges ahead.

As Evelyn refocused on her tasks, her phone buzzed with an internal call from Mr. Williams' assistant. "Evelyn, Mr. Williams would like to see you in his office," the voice said. Evelyn's heart sank, wondering if this meeting was about Daymian's influence over her promotion. She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before heading to Mr. Williams' office.

As she entered Mr. Williams' office, she noticed a mix of concern and unease on his face. "Evelyn, please have a seat," he said, his voice measured. "I've been meaning to discuss your role within the company, particularly in light of recent developments."

Evelyn's mind began to race, wondering what he would say about Daymian's influence on her potential promotion. Before she could respond, Mr. Williams continued, "I know you've been working hard, and your contributions haven't gone unnoticed. However, I think it's crucial we discuss how certain external factors might impact your career progression here."

The air in the room felt thick with unspoken meaning, and Evelyn's curiosity was piqued. Was Mr. Williams going to reveal more about Daymian's true power, or was this about something else entirely?

Mr. Williams leaned back in his chair, his eyes flicking around the room before focusing on Evelyn. His expression was cautious, and his voice was low as he spoke. "The loan Daymian took out has had more far-reaching consequences for your career than you might be aware of," he said, his words carefully chosen.

Evelyn's skepticism was evident on her face as she raised an eyebrow. "Consequences?" she said, "What kind of consequences, sir?" Mr. Williams hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. "I had a conversation with Mrs. Stephanie about the recent incident involving Mr. Ethan and the loan you approved with an overdue payment. Let's just say she wasn't pleased."

As Mr. Williams spoke, Evelyn's anxiety began to build. She felt her heart racing, and her body temperature rising. "Am I getting fired?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Mr. Williams' expression turned guarded, and he seemed to choose his next words carefully.

"Not yet, at least," he replied. "We're still discussing the situation, and to be honest, it's not looking good for either of us." Evelyn let out a deep sigh, feeling overwhelmed. "I don't know what to say," she admitted.

Mr. Williams' expression softened slightly. "I think our priority should be getting Mr. Ethan to repay the loan. If we're unable to do so, I'm afraid you might lose your job, and I'll face repercussions for allowing this to happen." Evelyn felt devastated, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.

Taking a deep breath, she asked, "So, I might get fired soon?" Mr. William remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. "We'll have to see how things play out, lets just try to get Mr. Daymian pay back his loan." he said finally.

As Evelyn turned to leave, Mr. Williams called out to her. "I'll do my best to keep you from getting fired, I promise." Evelyn nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope, and headed back to her desk, her mind still reeling from the conversation.

After a long day at work, Evelyn stopped by Bella Vita for a soothing glass of herbal tea, hoping it would calm her racing thoughts like it had the night before. As she sipped her tea, she pondered the situation she was fell into, but was grateful that the weekend was just around the corner, giving her a chance to rest and reflect. Just as she finished her tea and stood up to leave, Daymian unexpectedly walked into the restaurant, causing Evelyn's heart to skip a beat.