Chapter 345

Evelyn Carter never imagined she'd bump into Jonathan Reeves at the bank.

The realization took a moment to settle in. "I have some business here," she said, tilting her head slightly. "What about you?"

He cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably. "Same." His answer was vague, and his demeanor was oddly stiff.

A bank officer approached them shortly after. "Miss, sir, are you here for a loan application?"

"Yes," Jonathan replied, his voice tight.

The officer barely spared him a glance before turning to Evelyn with a polite smile. "And you, miss?"

She handed over her appointment slip. "I called ahead this morning."

Instantly, the officer's expression brightened. "Ah, Ms. Carter! Right this way. Our manager has been expecting you."

The sudden shift in enthusiasm caught Evelyn off guard. She threw Jonathan an apologetic glance before following the officer toward the VIP lounge.

Meanwhile, Jonathan stood frozen, processing what he'd just witnessed. Only high-net-worth clients—those with deposits exceeding a million dollars—received that kind of treatment.

He had come to secure a loan for a house in Jeinburg, but all his funds were tied up in his struggling studio.

Now, faced with rejection, his pride stung.

The same officer returned moments later, his tone indifferent. "Hand over your documents."

Jonathan forced a smile, sliding an envelope across the counter. "A small token of appreciation."

The officer pushed it back without hesitation. "Mr. Reeves, honestly? Your chances of approval are slim. Maybe try another bank."

Jonathan's stomach dropped. "What? Last time we spoke, you made it sound promising."

"You still haven’t settled your studio loan. Borrowing more? Unlikely."

Frustration coiled inside him, but he bit it back.

His gaze flickered toward the VIP room.

The officer followed his look and smirked. "You know her?"

Jonathan seized the opportunity. "We went to the same university. She actually works at my studio now."

The officer whistled. "Damn. How’d you land someone like that? Forget the loan—ask her to invest!"

Jonathan swallowed hard. "What’s she here for, anyway?"

"Paying off her mortgage early. Millions, in cash. Transferred overnight."

A dangerous thought sparked in Jonathan’s mind.

Last night, his date had lost interest the moment she learned he didn’t own property in Jeinburg.

And now, here was Evelyn—flushing millions into a house like it was nothing.

If only that money were his.

"How long does it take to schedule a deduction?" he asked abruptly.

"About two weeks."

A plan formed. If he could win Evelyn over, she might lend him the money.

After all, it could be their future home.

The idea grew more tempting by the second.

An hour later, Evelyn emerged from the VIP room, documents in hand.