The words were not yet finished.

Suddenly, the business card was snatched away from behind.

Evan Carter turned around, caught off guard.

She saw Ryan Grant standing behind her, very close, as if trapping her in place. He was tall, lean, and handsome, his head slightly tilted as he glanced nonchalantly at the business card.

Then, his eyes met hers.

The scene was filled with flashing lights and blaring music, the air thick with a mix of tobacco and sandalwood.

The man’s features were naturally cold, but at this moment, there was a hint of casual indifference.

A gaze both familiar and strange.

As if he had recognized her.

In a flash.

The corners of his lips relaxed, and with a half-smile, he said, “Still not giving up?”

Not understanding his words, Evan Carter froze.

Ryan Grant casually tossed the business card back in front of her, slowly straightening up and putting some distance between them.

“Came all the way here just to leave your contact info?”

Chapter 4

His voice was neither loud nor soft.

Yet it struck Evan Carter like a bolt of lightning, waking her up in an instant.

She recalled what she had said to Ryan Grant when she came here a few days ago.

—“Sorry, this is a proper bar.”

—“That’s a real shame.”

“……”

Evan Carter pressed her lips together, a wave of embarrassment washing over her.

Luckily, the place was noisy, and the bartender hadn’t heard what Ryan Grant said. He just looked puzzled and asked, “Bro, what are you doing?” Then he pointed at a drawer and raised his voice: “Did you see the bracelet that was here?”

Hearing this, Ryan Grant glanced over.

The bartender explained, “This customer spent money here a few days ago and left a bracelet behind. Jason Turner found it that day, and I…”

He paused, then corrected himself: “Didn’t you put it away?”

Ryan Grant sat on a barstool, lazily responding with an “ah.”

Bartender: “So where did you put it?”

Ryan Grant withdrew his gaze, looking indifferent: “Never saw it.”

“……” The bartender was at a loss for words, seemingly thrown off by his unpredictability.

Meanwhile, two young women came to the bar to order drinks.

As if seeing a savior, the bartender tossed a “Boss, you take care of them, I need to work” to Ryan Grant, then immediately turned to serve the two women.

Jason Turner had also slipped away from the area at some point.

Only the two of them were left.

Even though the place was crowded and noisy, it felt almost like they were alone. After all, the bartender had said what he did. One standing, one sitting—the atmosphere seemed cut off from the surroundings, a bit strange.

Ryan Grant picked up a clean, clear glass and poured himself a drink, filling it halfway.

The next moment, Ryan Grant pushed the glass in front of her.

Evan Carter looked over in surprise.

The man’s black hair fell messily over his forehead, his lashes like crow feathers, his face half-lit, half-shadowed in the light. He still held half a can of beer, raising an eyebrow: “How should I entertain you?”

This time, Evan Carter truly felt as if she’d come here to solicit him.

She was silent for a moment, not touching the drink: “No, thank you.”

—Awkward silence.

Maybe Ryan Grant was also embarrassed by the bartender’s explanation, so he didn’t bring up the contact info again. Since this was his turf, Evan Carter decided to let it go and didn’t mention it either.

She steered the conversation back: “Does the boss handle all the lost and found here?”

Ryan Grant smiled: “Who told you that?”

Evan Carter pointed in the bartender’s direction.

Ryan Grant looked over, his grip loosening as he suddenly knocked the can against the bar.

“Scott Miller.”

Scott Miller instinctively looked up: “Hey! What’s up, bro?”

Ryan Grant replied coolly, “Since when am I so free that I even handle lost and found crap?”

“……” Scott Miller clearly didn’t get it, and since he was busy, just said, “Bro, wait a sec, let me finish this drink for the customer.”

Ryan Grant’s attitude was really not great.

Evan Carter pressed her lips together and placed the business card next to the glass: “I’ll leave my contact info here. If you find it, just call this number and I’ll come pick it up. Thank you.”

Ryan Grant didn’t even look up, giving a perfunctory “mm.”

Evan Carter had no idea.

If he treated every customer like this,

How did this bar even stay in business?

Maybe he was only like this with her.

Maybe he was annoyed by what she’d said before; or maybe he still held a grudge about the past, pretending not to recognize her, not wanting to show her any kindness.

She’d gone to the police station early this morning, then ran to three places for interviews. She still had to talk to her landlord about moving out early, look for a new place, and stay on guard against retaliation from the man next door.

A whole pile of things waiting for her.

Compared to all that, Ryan Grant’s attitude didn’t seem like much.

But for some reason.

Maybe it was the lingering grogginess from waking up, but she felt a bit stifled.

Evan Carter softly added, “It’s something really important, I’m counting on you.”

She was just about to leave.

Ryan Grant: “Wait a minute.”

Evan Carter stopped in her tracks.

Ryan Grant’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he called out again: “Scott Miller, what’s taking you so long?”