CHAPTER 59 "Failed Attempts"

A dark glint flickered in Diego's eyes as Eva brought the glass of beverage to her lips. It wasn't excitement, not entirely. There was a hunger in his gaze, a predatory quality that sent a shiver down Eva's spine despite the warmth of the liquid. Her hand paused mid-air, the glass hovering inches from her mouth.

Eva raised the glass to her lips, her eyes flitting nervously between Diego and the window across the room. With a practiced flick of her wrist, barely perceptible, she nudged a ceramic ornament on the table's edge. It tumbled with a clatter, shattering on the floor.

The fork beside her fell to the floor.

Eva yelped, a perfectly executed cry of surprise that momentarily filled the room. "Oh, no! I am so sorry, Mr. Chen," she gushed, her voice laced with faux-mortification. She set the untouched beverage down with a theatrical clatter "Such a klutz, am I right?" she cast a playful glance at Diego, her bright smile failing to reach her eyes.

A predatory glint flickered in Dieg