Save Her Lose Us (Evangeline and Soren) novel Chapter 172

For many designers, stepping into the spotlight and giving a speech at a launch event is a dream come true—a rare opportunity that most never get.

And when that chance does come, almost nobody turns it down.

So when Evangeline told him her decision, Theo was momentarily at a loss. “Why?” he asked, genuinely baffled.

Evangeline explained the recent online controversy and shared her thoughts. If it were anything else, she might have stood her ground, but this involved UME’s reputation. She didn’t want to risk jeopardizing the entire project because of her personal issues.

Theo looked at her. The confident glow she usually carried seemed to have dimmed.

He’d once dismissed her as just a housewife, but during their time working together, Theo realized Evangeline wasn’t nearly as unremarkable as he’d assumed. In fact, there were moments he almost forgot about her old role entirely.

But now, he saw it clearly: the moment she had to step beyond her comfort zone, all her insecurities came flooding back.

After a pause, Theo shook his head and refused. “I’m busy tomorrow. There’s too much on my plate—and I don’t like taking credit for someone else’s work.”

“But Director Shaw, you’ve been involved in every part of this project. It wouldn’t be stealing credit,” Evangeline argued quickly.

“I said what I said. End of story.”

“But—”

“Right now, you and I are the only ones who know this project inside out. Either you go up there, or the launch event goes silent. Your choice.”

He cut her off before she could finish, handed her the speech, and left without another word.

Evangeline stared at his retreating figure, feeling helpless.

She understood Theo’s message, but she’d never been one to take unnecessary risks. Tomorrow, with a hundred cameras trained on her, saying even a single wrong word could be blown out of proportion.

Given how many people already had their biases against her, any misstep would only be magnified.

Determined to avoid that, she stayed in the lab for hours, practicing until she was sure nothing could go wrong. Only then did she finally leave.

Elsewhere, inside a sleek corporate car, Soren rubbed his temples wearily.

As he kept his eyes straight ahead, they passed UME’s downtown headquarters—and suddenly, Gregory spotted a familiar figure on the sidewalk.

Evangeline?

His heart skipped a beat.

She was just ahead of them, and their car would inevitably pass right by her.

Gregory glanced in the rearview mirror. Poppy was still massaging Soren’s shoulders.

He knew there was nothing between them, but others might not see it that way—especially Evangeline, who was already upset because of this very rumor. If she saw them now, who knew what drama might unfold?

His hands moved faster than his thoughts. Gregory hit the button to roll up all the windows.

“Gregory, don’t close the windows,” Poppy protested. “We need some fresh air—Soren will feel better with the breeze.”