secret lover 176

Evelyn Walters is taken aback when she discovers a viral article featuring her and a handsome man, sparking rumors of a secret romance. As she scrolls through the sensational headlines and photos, her disbelief turns to amusement when she reads the enthusiastic comments from fans who are shipping her with the mysterious man. Despite her initial shock, she contemplates calling her public relations guru, Oscar, to manage the situation, but her plans are interrupted by a call from her husband, Axel.

During their conversation, Evelyn tries to maintain a cheerful façade, even as her heart races with anxiety over the rumors. Axel’s concern for her well-being is evident, and their exchange reveals a deep emotional connection between them. Evelyn shares her unexpected encounter with her grandparents, which brings warmth to their conversation. However, the mood shifts when Axel inquires about the news, and Evelyn reluctantly admits to the rumors of her being linked to another man, which stirs jealousy in Axel.

As they discuss the shipping phenomenon, Evelyn finds humor in Axel’s protective nature, while he expresses his discontent with the public’s fascination. Their playful banter reflects their strong bond, but Axel’s suggestion to announce their marriage brings a more serious tone to the discussion. Evelyn hesitates, feeling unprepared for the world to know about their relationship, while Axel respects her feelings and assures her he will handle the situation.

The chapter concludes with Evelyn feeling relieved after her conversation with Axel, despite the chaos surrounding the rumors. As she arrives home, she senses a shift in the atmosphere, especially when their driver, Liam, hints at Axel’s sharp demeanor. Evelyn’s playful response suggests a light-hearted tension, leaving readers intrigued about the dynamics of their relationships amidst the unfolding drama.

**TITLE: Secret Lover 176**

**Send Gift**

**176 When the Fans Decide to Ship You!**

Evelyn could hardly believe her eyes as she stumbled upon the article. The headline screamed at her from the screen:

**[Evelyn Walters Caught Walking with a Handsome Man]**

**[Who Is the Mystery Gentleman Beside the Elegant Heiress?]**

**[Secret Romance? Evelyn Walters Seen Smiling Lovingly at Unknown Man Outside Restaurant]**

**[Internet in Chaos as Evelyn’s ‘Boyfriend’ Photo Goes Viral]**

“Unbelievable! How on earth did they manage to snap a picture of us?” she exclaimed, her voice laced with incredulity as she scrolled through the barrage of images on her phone. The car glided smoothly through the bustling city streets, but her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief.

“Was someone really hiding behind a tree or something?” she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

As she flicked through the seemingly endless photos plastered across gossip sites, each one came with a more ridiculous caption than the last.

**[Evelyn Walters Spotted With a Handsome Mystery Man! Who Is He?]**

**[CEO’s Wife? Or Secret Boyfriend? Evelyn’s Flirty Smile Says It All!]**

Her mouth dropped open in shock. “What the heck!? Flirty smile? I was just squinting against the sun!”

Evelyn shook her head, utterly speechless, her heart racing. But when her gaze accidentally fell upon the comments section, genuine regret washed over her like a cold wave.

“They look cute together!”

“Please tell me he’s her new man? The chemistry is insane!”

“Can someone be a detective? Find out who that guy is! We need to know who he is!”

With a mix of amusement and disbelief, Evelyn slapped her forehead, a half-laugh escaping her lips. “Heaven help me. Are they actually… shipping us now? Axel might just burn the internet to ashes if he sees this.”

She quickly contemplated calling Oscar, her ever-reliable public relations guru, to clean up this mess. Delete photos, bury the headlines, erase every trace of the so-called “handsome mystery man.”

But before she could dial, her phone erupted with a ring. The name ‘Hubby’ flashed ominously on the screen.

“Oh no,” she whispered, gripping her phone tightly as if it might explode. “Has he seen this already?”

Her heart raced, pounding in her chest like a drum.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she took a deep breath and composed herself, forcing cheerfulness into her voice. “Hey, Axel!” she greeted, perhaps a bit too cheerfully.

“Where are you right now?” His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of something else—concern, perhaps?

Evelyn swallowed hard, her stomach twisting. “Uh… I’m on my way home. Just finished meeting Stella,” she replied quickly, a smile plastered on her face that he couldn’t even see through the phone.

Before he could delve deeper into questions, she hurriedly added, “Oh, and guess what? Grandma and Grandpa are also there! I had no idea they’d be visiting. I was so shocked when I saw them.”

“Your grandparents?” His tone softened, a hint of warmth creeping in. “That’s… good, isn’t it?”

“It is,” she said softly, feeling a warmth spread through her. “I didn’t expect to see them so soon, but they were really kind. And I told them about Oliver. Now they want to meet him…”

Axel’s voice turned gentle, as if he could sense her emotions. “Eve, I hope you’re alright and can forgive them…”

Evelyn smiled faintly, touched by his concern. “I never hated my grandma and grandpa. I understood their reasons. They didn’t even know what truly happened back then.”

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she continued, “They were abroad when William Walters kicked me out of the family… and by the time they returned, I had already vanished. Hiding in Willowcrest.”

“Still, I’m proud of you. You didn’t cry, did you?”

“I didn’t,” she replied defensively, then let out a sigh. “Okay, maybe just a little. But only because Grandma cried first.”

Axel chuckled, the sound warm and comforting. “You’re terrible at hiding emotions.”

“Excuse me?” she feigned offense, though she couldn’t suppress a smile.

“Yes, Mrs. Knight. I said you’re soft.”

“Soft? You mean ‘emotionally intelligent!’”

“Sure, whatever helps you sleep tonight, my love.”

Evelyn giggled, finally feeling the weight lift from her shoulders. But her moment of tranquility was abruptly shattered when he casually asked, “Eve, by the way, have you seen the news?”

The atmosphere inside the car shifted, the temperature dropping as if a chill had settled in.

Evelyn’s smile faltered, her stomach twisting again.

“…Y-Yes,” she admitted slowly, a hint of dread creeping into her voice.

“And?”

She hesitated, her mind racing. “Don’t be jealous, Axel. The netizens are just being ridiculous. They’re shipping me with Liam now.”

“Shipping?” he echoed, his tone flat, almost dangerous.

“As in… fanfiction type of shipping,” she explained quickly, trying to ease the tension. “You know, when fans start imagining things for their idol—”

“Oh, I know,” he interjected dryly. “And now my wife apparently has a fan-assigned boyfriend. Great.”

Evelyn nearly chuckled at the jealousy lacing his tone. “Come on, it’s not like anyone actually believes it.”

“You mean, except for the thousands of comments calling him your ‘handsome mystery man’? Yeah, totally harmless,” he muttered, his irritation palpable.

Unable to contain herself, she burst into laughter. “Axel, are you actually jealous?”

“I’m not jealous,” he insisted, his words tumbling out too quickly.

“Really?”

“I’m just… disappointed in the public’s taste. How dare they!?”

“You are…” Evelyn teased, her laughter bubbling up again.

“Liam? Seriously? If they’re going to fantasize, they should at least pick someone in my league,” Axel continued, his voice perfectly flat but dripping with mock irritation.

Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh harder. “You sound like a man who just lost an online popularity contest.”

“I could buy every gossip site on that list,” he grumbled, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Watch me.”

Her laughter softened, and she gazed out the window, the city lights blurring past. “Axel, it’s just internet noise. Let them talk. It’ll fade soon enough.”

A brief silence enveloped them, and then Axel’s voice came through, quieter now. “Do you think… we should just announce it?”

Evelyn’s smile faded slightly. “Announce? You mean our marriage?”

“Yeah.” His tone was serious now, all traces of humor gone. “At least that way, no one would dare link you to anyone else.”

She hesitated, the weight of the decision heavy on her shoulders. “Some of our people already know, and so does my family. But… I’m not ready for the whole world to know yet.”

“I understand,” he replied softly. “I don’t want to push you.”

She smiled, touched by his sensitivity. “Thank you.”

What she didn’t realize was that Axel had his own reasons for wanting to wait. Beneath the surface, things were brewing: business rivalries, clandestine deals, and the unexpected reappearance of Maxime Knight, now allied with the Martinez family. This was not the right moment to expose his personal life to the vultures circling his empire.

“Don’t worry about it,” he assured her. “I’ll handle the news. Just… stay off the comments section, alright?”

“Gladly,” she sighed, a shiver running down her spine. “My heart can’t take another ‘Team Liam’ comment.”

He chuckled, his voice warm. “Good girl. I’ll see you at home.”

As the call ended, Evelyn leaned back against the plush seat, exhaling deeply. That conversation had gone better than she had anticipated.

Before long, the car pulled up to their house and came to a halt right in front of the main door.

“Is there a problem?” Liam finally asked from the driver’s seat, glancing back at her through the rearview mirror.

“Boss Axel called earlier. He sounded… sharp. And why did he call your name a few times, ma’am?”

Evelyn smiled faintly, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Oh, Liam… you’re in deep trouble.”

**Thank you so much for the Golden Ticket & Power Stones. Please continue. We need to raise the rank to give this book more opportunities. Xoxo ^**

As Evelyn processed the whirlwind of emotions from the day’s events, she realized that the chaos of public speculation had inadvertently brought her closer to Axel. Their playful banter during the phone call had illuminated the depth of their connection, a bond that transcended the superficiality of the headlines. The laughter they shared, even amidst the tension, was a testament to their resilience as a couple. Evelyn understood that while the world might be quick to judge and create narratives, the truth of her relationship with Axel was rooted in genuine affection and trust. The teasing about jealousy and popularity contests reminded her that love could thrive even in the most unexpected circumstances.

Yet, beneath the laughter lay a current of uncertainty. Evelyn grappled with the decision to keep their marriage private, aware that revealing their union could invite unwanted scrutiny and complicate Axel’s business dealings. The complexities of their lives loomed large, but she felt a sense of reassurance in Axel’s unwavering support. He respected her need for privacy, demonstrating the strength of their partnership. As she stepped out of the car, the weight of the world felt lighter. With Axel by her side, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, secure in the knowledge that their love was a fortress against the chaos of the outside world.

In the next chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Evelyn grapples with the fallout from the viral rumors surrounding her and the so-called “handsome mystery man.” As the internet continues to buzz with speculation, Evelyn finds herself caught between her desire for privacy and the mounting pressure to confront the media frenzy head-on. Will she choose to play along with the public’s fantasies, or will she take a stand and assert her true relationship with Axel? The stakes are high, and the implications of her decision could ripple through her personal and professional life in ways she never anticipated.

Moreover, Axel’s simmering jealousy will take center stage as he navigates the complexities of his own empire while grappling with his feelings about the rumors. As business rivalries heat up, he must protect not only his reputation but also his marriage. The reappearance of Maxime Knight adds another layer of intrigue, hinting at potential alliances and betrayals that could shake the very foundation of Axel’s world. Will he be able to balance his personal life with the looming threats, or will the pressures of both worlds collide in a spectacular fashion? Readers will be on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how these tangled threads will unfold in the chapters to come.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.