Chapter 212
"Margaret has been keeping a close eye on me recently, and the company just lost a major contract. I'm swamped right now. Let's discuss it when I have time."
Vanessa nodded. "Understood. I'll relay that to her."
Richard studied Vanessa with a conflicted expression. "Vanessa, you must keep this between us."
Vanessa flashed a sweet, innocent smile. "Don't worry, Father. I know exactly what to say."
After Evelyn threw away the flowers Richard sent, he persisted—delivering fresh bouquets for three consecutive days.
Within a week, the entire office was buzzing.
The rumors spiraled out of control. Some whispered that Evelyn had caught the eye of a wealthy executive who was relentlessly pursuing her. Others speculated she was being courted by a married man looking for a mistress.
Evelyn ignored the gossip, but Richard’s relentless antics finally forced her to reach out.
The call came just as Richard was recovering from the loss of two key partnerships. Furious, he hurled his coffee cup across the office.
Nothing had been going right lately. The frustration was eating at him.
He pushed his plate away, the food untouched.
"Richard, you're not exactly young anymore. Why resort to such tasteless gestures? Shouldn't men your age have moved past sending flowers like some lovesick teenager?"
Richard knew exactly why his recent contracts had fallen through—Alexander Whitmore was tightening the noose around Horizon Enterprises.
"Evelyn, sweetheart," he pleaded, voice strained. "If you could just ask Alexander to ease up on my company, I swear I'll stop sending those flowers. Starting tomorrow."
Evelyn scoffed. "Sweetheart? We cut ties years ago. Stop harassing me, or I’ll make sure the IRS knows exactly how you’ve been dodging taxes."
Panic flashed in his voice. "Wait—listen! Vanessa and I agreed—she’ll take you to finalize the paperwork this Friday. The Hawthorne Estate can be yours by the end of the day."
"I already told you. I don’t want it." Her grip tightened on the phone. "I’m done with the Hayes family. Don’t call me again."
"Evelyn, please!" Richard rushed out the words before she could hang up. "Even if you hate me, don’t turn down the estate. I know I messed up. Just take it—Friday, it’s settled!"
Her laugh was ice. "Who said I agreed? Titan Capital’s annual gala is this Friday. The entire company is flying to Griffore. I won’t even be in Cresthaven."
She ended the call before he could protest.
Evelyn's demeanor toward Richard was icy and unyielding.
Though stung by her rejection, Richard understood her coldness stemmed from deep-seated anger.
He had hoped to sway her with material offerings—luxury, security, a grand estate. But Evelyn, pride unshaken, dismissed it all with a scoff.
Richard clenched his jaw. Who in their right mind refused wealth?
Acceptance would have signaled forgiveness. A chance to negotiate, to plead for Alexander’s mercy regarding Horizon Enterprises’ recent setbacks.
But Evelyn’s refusal left him stranded, his leverage crumbling.
No proof tied Alexander to the sudden losses, yet who else would dare strike at them now?
After the call ended, Evelyn lingered in the hallway, exhaling slowly.
Beside her, the trash bin held the freshly discarded lilies—once vibrant, now unwanted.
The janitor arrived, pausing at the sight. Such a waste, he thought, shaking his head as he lifted the bag. The flowers deserved better.
So did she.
"You've been discarding fresh bouquets for three straight days. My office looks like a florist shop exploded in here. Did you and your boyfriend have a falling out?"
The janitor fished another bundle of roses from the trash bin, shaking her head in disapproval.
Evelyn shrugged, examining her manicure. "Not a boyfriend. My biological father."
The older woman's eyebrows shot up. "Now that's odd. What kind of father sends his daughter flowers at work?"
A humorless laugh escaped Evelyn's lips. "The kind who's eccentric and legally blind."
The janitor gasped. "Oh dear, does he have glaucoma?"
"Worse," Evelyn deadpanned. "Complete darkness."
"Well...bless his heart."