Published at 23rd of November 2022 9:57 am

Chapter 20

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"How's Eve doing?"

"Don't worry too much. The Duke cares so much, who can do Eve harm?"

Emma added soothingly to Islay.

But the look on the face of Islay didn't go easy.

In Annette alone, there were countless men like flies who tried to approach Evelyn somehow.

Especially Kevin Jones, when I think of him.......

There was a slight force in the fist of Islay.

Thinking nothing of the bloodiest thoughts, Islay shook his head.

"No, there's a child......."

'What do you mean a kid?'

Emma's face was filled with wonder.

"How has Bianca been?"

"Well, what do you mean Bianca? I've never heard of that name before."

Emma asked carefully again.

The Islay slightly narrowed the brow.

"Oh, you haven't met Bianca yet?"

"Yeah, I've never heard of Eve's company."

"......Bianca is Eve's daughter."

"What? Eve had a daughter?"

Surprised Emma raised her voice without realizing it.

Emma looked at Islay with a suspicious look on her face.

"The child, the Duke's daughter......."

"No."

The face of Islay, who answered firmly, was distorted in agony.

In a completely unexpected answer, Emma swallowed her breath.

"Well, then is Eve married?"

But Evelyn didn't even mention that she was married.......

As if to sort out Emma's confusion, Islay snapped.

"It's not either."

"So... you're saying she gave birth to a single child?"

"Maybe so."

Feeling as if she had been beaten hard in the back of her head, Emma blinked blankly.

"What about the father?"

"I don't know about that."

Emma, who was about to ask more, looked at the distressed-looking Islay and swallowed the question back.

It's amazing that Evelyn gave birth to a daughter alone, and she wasn't born to Islay.

Apart from Islay, Evelyn is dating another man.......

'I can't honestly imagine.'

Emma bit her lip gently.

Of course, after a long time, Evelyn may have fallen in love with another man.

But it's hard to believe when you think of seven years ago, when you see Islay and Evelyn together.

'Two of you, you were so sweet.......'

Meanwhile, Islay recalled Evelyn's callous voice again.

The determined voice that said Bianca is not the Duke's daughter.

"Anyway, if Eve doesn't have a problem, that's fine."

In a rather hoarse voice, Islay opened his mouth.

"Please continue to take care of Eve, Mrs. Sutherland."

The face of Islay who said so looked very tired.

"Just, the Duke...I think I just realized that I'm no different from the rest of them."

When I recalled Evelyn's disappointed eyes, my heart ached as if I were cutting myself.

Islay just wanted to protect the two mother and daughter, Evelyn and Bianca.

But it wasn't until later that the word "protective" itself could be violence for their mother and daughter.

But I couldn't figure out how to get back to Evelyn or if she'd accept his apology.

It was like a tangled thread in my head.

Islay, who had only breathed a long sigh, suddenly lifted his eyes.

"Then let's wrap up today's meeting here, and then......."

"Well, Duke."

Then Emma opened her mouth as if she had decided something.

Islay faced Emma with a dull look.

"Anything you want to say?"

"Yes, it's about Eve."

In response, the eyes of Islay twirled.

Straightened up, Islay looked straight at Emma.

"Please speak."

Emma hesitated for a moment.

I thought she could talk about Evelyn's dream recklessly, but I thought so.

'But it's more conscience-stricken to see the two of them keep on crossing paths.'

Emma, in fact, had no personal affinity for the Duke of Neidhart.

But there was some sympathy for Islay.

Emma was the one who watched from the sidelines how Islay collapsed after Evelyn went missing.

A gentle and courteous man, Islay became as sharp and sensitive as a sharpened blade.

At the same time, he tried not to let go of the weak string for Evelyn, and the effort led to support for the top of Sutherland.

Because Emma was one of Evelyn's few friends.

If the two of them can regain their relationship with this opportunity.......

"Are you interested in investing in a business?"

"......business?"

At a totally unexpected remark, Islay blinked his eyes.

Emma nodded her head seriously.

"It seems to me that...... Eve seems to have a desire for her own business."

"If it's business, what are you talking about?"

Islay asked the question in a dry tone.

"You know Eve runs a coffee house, don't you?"

"Yes, it was the same in Annette, but Eve couldn't rest for a second......."

There was light water on the face of Islay.

Ahead of a complex expression of dew, Emma swallowed dry saliva.

"What Eve wants is to brand the coffee house."

"What do you mean?"

Hearing the unfamiliar word, Islay looked puzzled.

Emma, who became a cool-headed top-up face, continued her explanation step by step.

"The coffeehouse market is dominated by private businesses, isn't it?"

"Yes, but......."

"If you look at the market from a customer's point of view, the pros and cons are obvious. Eve explains......."

So, Emma passed Evelyn's thoughts on to Islay.

Islay, who had been agonizing for a while, raised his head straight.

"So what does Mrs. Sutherland think about Eve's plan?"

"What exactly are you asking about?"

"I'm asking if the plan will be commercially viable."

Of course, he could spend as much money as he could if he could narrow the distance a little bit more from Evelyn.

But Evelyn's pride was a problem.

If she invested in an unlikely business simply to get close to her, it was more likely to touch Evelyn's pride in itself.

"I think...... I think the possibility is significant."

Fortunately Emma nodded coolly.

In response, the sun shone over the face of Islay.

Emma was a pretty capable top-up state, and that's what she said 'possibly' about.......

"......You mean it's worth making an investment proposal."

"Yes, that's right."

Emma suddenly recalled Evelyn's sparkling eyes.

Given the passionate way she talked, Evelyn must have had that dream in her heart for quite a long time.

Emma smiled softly.

"Although it's my idea, Eve will think positively if an investment proposal comes in."

"......I see."

At last, I felt a little out of line as to how I could approach Evelyn.

"So, if I could get a little help from the top of Sutherland when I invest in Eve?"

"Of course."

When asked carefully by Islay, Emma answered coolly.

It was inevitable, Evelyn would definitely refuse if Islay offered to invest himself.

The two had a little more conversation.

How to invest, how much you think about the amount, and how to offer Evelyn.......

So the conversation was arranged, and Emma, who was just standing up, glanced back at Islay.

"I'm sorry to say this, but Eve is my dear friend."

"I know."

Islay nodded briefly.

If Emma hadn't been a friend who truly cared about Evelyn, she wouldn't have even been associated with the top of Sutherland in the first place.

Emma, who was a little hesitant, added.

"So, if Eve really doesn't want to......I'd like to get my hands off it."

"Of course, under any circumstances, please put Eve first."

It was such a determined voice that no needle could fit.

"Don't forget that all standards are Eve."

Listening to the voice, Emma felt that Islay had not changed at all.

Although the ease and tenderness that Islay had previously had worn out and disappeared in the seven years that she had lost.......

Nevertheless, Evelyn is still the center of the world.

Even if Evelyn had someone else's daughter, his love doesn't seem to have changed at all.

'I'm so glad.'

On Emma's lips, a pale smile of relief hung over her.

"Yes, sir. I'll see you next time."

"Go home safely."

After a short greeting, Emma left the room.

The door was closed with a clatter.

As he looked at the closed door, Islay wrapped his forehead around him.

'Maybe if she finds out that I approached her this way.......'

I'm sure Evelyn will be angry.

But I'd much rather hear the music from her than cross her at this rate.

The black eyes were deeply silent.

Joy and distress were eyes intertwined at will.

And the next day, on a saturday afternoon.

Evelyn was eagerly serving guests, leaving Bianca in the corner of the coffee house.

"Welcome."

Evelyn wandered through the kitchen, serving coffee and snacks ordered by guests.

But she didn't forget to look sideways at Bianca.

Bianca, who was squirming in her notebook, smiled as soon as she met her mother's eyes.

"Mom!"

Evelyn nodded with a smile, skillfully concealing her tired expression.

In Annette, she used to spend time with Bianca on weekends, but since moving to the island, Evelyn has been keeping her coffee house open on weekends.

Unlike Annette City, which managed to make ends meet by opening a coffee house only on weekdays, the price of the system was so murderous.

'Besides, weekend income is usually higher than weekdays.......'

I couldn't help it because I was bent over monthly rent, living expenses, and kindergarten tuition.

Meanwhile, a problem overlaps.

The problem was Bianca.

Polina Kindergarten runs several educational programs late on weekdays, but rests on weekends.

So I can't leave Bianca alone, so I brought Bianca to the coffee house in a hurry.......

'We can't keep Bianca in the coffee house, so we need to come up with something.'

Evelyn was a little nervous at heart.

I thought it would be nice to get someone for the weekend, but it was also expensive.

But right then.

Jingle-.

The bell rang to announce the guest's appearance.

Disrupting the conception, Evelyn reflexively lifted her head.

"Welcome. – Oh, my."

Evelyn raised her eyes to the size of a plate.

Because one woman who came into the coffee house was someone Evelyn knew well.

"Hi, Eve."

"Oh, my God, Emma. What are you doing here?"

It hasn't been a few days since I stopped by the coffee house, but you've already visited again?

Ahead of Evelyn's mysterious gaze, Emma quivered.

"For some reason, I'm here for a cup of coffee."

"Yeah, sit down first."

There were many guests to serve, so Evelyn first put Emma in her seat.

"Huh?"

At that time, Emma's eyes got a little bigger.

A little girl in the corner of the coffee house, looking at Emma with a curious face.

Flamboyant blonde and amber eyes that look like gold and threaded out.

She was a girl who looked just like Evelyn, but her neat features somehow remind her of Islay.

"Eve, who's that kid?"

"Oh."

Evelyn paused to firm her shoulders.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've talked about Bianca in advance.

I didn't think they'd run into each other like this.......

"It's my daughter."

Evelyn smiled awkwardly.

Although she had already heard word from Islay, Emma made up the look of surprise as best she could.

"Oh, my God, Eve. Did you have a daughter?"

"Yes."

Evelyn answered briefly, without further ado.

Emma squinted her eyes.

'......that child, no matter how much I look at it, looks like the Duke.'

Am I the only one who's sensitive?

Emma, with her head tilted, unknowingly popped out a question.

"What about the father of the child?"

"Well, I don't really want to say that."

When asked by Emma, Evelyn drew the line gently but firmly.

Judging from the look on his face, he doesn't want to talk much about the child.

Embarrassed, Emma hurriedly apologized.

"I'm sorry, Eve. I didn't mean to offend you."

"I know, it's okay."

Evelyn smiled coolly.

She's not married and has a daughter, it's surprising for a stranger.

Evelyn beckoned Bianca, who was sitting down.

"Bibi, come here."

Bianca, who glanced this way with inquisitive eyes, crept up to her mother.

"Say hello, to mom's friend."

"Hello."

Bianca looked straight down.

With the child's lovely appearance, Emma smiled unconsciously.

"Hi, I'm Emma. Emma Sutherland."

"I'm Bianca Martinise."

Bianca answered in a clear way.

Emma, who was staring at such a child, narrowed her brows gently.

'Looking up close... she's more like the Duke.'

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