Chapter 183
Anna Ross looked toward the door.
A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.
The man who had been negotiating quickly stood up.
He moved respectfully to the newcomer's side.
He reported the situation in a low voice.
His expression was troubled. "Mr. Evans, that's how the negotiation went. What do you think..."
Lucas Evans raised a hand to stop him.
The man immediately stepped aside.
Lucas's gaze turned to Anna.
A soft light shimmered in his eyes.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Anna remembered what she had said to him last time.
A pang of guilt stirred within her.
But it wasn't the right moment to show it.
She offered a faint smile in return.
So he was the client for this collaboration.
The man from before must be his assistant.
Chloe Valentine noticed their interaction.
She made a mental note of it.
She stood up to greet him. "Mr. Evans, my apologies. We've had an issue. Someone leaked the documents."
She deliberately glanced at Anna.
"I failed to manage my subordinate properly. I'm truly sorry."
Anna's fingers tightened slightly.
Lucas spoke up then. "I'm aware of the situation. But I don't believe she did it."
Chloe was stunned.
Anna was equally surprised.
She hadn't expected him to say that.
"But—"
"Do you have anything else to add?"
Chloe wanted to argue further.
Lucas cut her off coldly.
She could only shake her head.
She gritted her teeth in frustration.
She had hoped Lucas would reprimand Anna.
She wanted to pin all the blame on her.
All her scheming.
Had resulted only in a statement of trust.
Anna sent him a grateful look.
While it didn't prove her innocence.
It was enough to offer some comfort.
"Mr. Evans, I will get to the bottom of this. I'll give you a full account." She made a solemn promise.
Her mind raced, reviewing the events.
Where had things gone wrong?
She knew she hadn't done it.
Why was Chloe so certain it was her?
Anna wanted to leave.
The negotiation seemed impossible to continue.
She needed time to uncover the truth.
Hearing her call him 'Mr. Evans'.
Lucas felt a strange twinge.
It felt too distant and formal.
He preferred when she used his name.
Chloe stared at her with hatred.
She hadn't expected anyone to help at a time like this.
Did they know each other before?
Lucas stepped forward.
He took hold of the hand of the person trying to leave.
He said gently, "You don't owe me any account. I believe it wasn't you. You shouldn't bear the blame for a crime you didn't commit."
Gratitude turned into deep emotion.
Anna was momentarily at a loss for words.
This was a major project.
The losses would be immeasurable.
Even if he believed her.
She still had to find out the truth.
Hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
The door was pushed open.
Adrian Sinclair's tall figure appeared in everyone's view.
His gaze instantly fell on the held hand.
A flash of displeasure crossed his eyes.
But he didn't show it.
Anna hadn't noticed yet.
She was wondering why he had suddenly arrived.
Chloe saw him enter.
She immediately put on a sweet smile.
She rushed to him coquettishly. "Adrian, what brings you here?"