Chapter 325

The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Evelyn Carter sipped her coffee. Today was important—she had been invited to Olivia Cole's birthday celebration. Benjamin Cole, Alexander Whitmore's business associate, had personally sent the invitation. Declining wasn’t an option.

She set her cup down and turned to the vanity, carefully applying her makeup. Every stroke of the brush had to be perfect.

A soft knock interrupted her. Simon Graves entered, holding a garment bag. "Mr. Whitmore asked me to deliver this, Mrs. Whitmore. A gift for you."

Evelyn unzipped the bag, revealing an elegant dress. It wasn’t ostentatious, but the craftsmanship spoke of quiet luxury. She ran her fingers over the fabric before slipping into it. The mirror reflected a flawless fit, as if tailored just for her.

Her mind flashed back to last night—Alexander’s hands tracing her waist, his deep voice murmuring praise about her curves. Heat crept up her cheeks at the memory. His touch had memorized her measurements with unsettling precision.

She grabbed her phone and snapped a quick picture, sending it to Alexander with a message: [The dress is perfect. Thank you, darling.]

His reply came almost instantly: [Show me your gratitude properly tonight.]

Evelyn’s fingers twitched, the phone suddenly scorching in her grip. How could he—

The crisp paper of the invitation crinkled in Evelyn Carter's grip as she stepped through the grand doors of Whitmore Manor.

Across the city, Alexander Whitmore set his phone down with deliberate slowness. The CEO's leather chair creaked as he leaned back, meeting Ethan Caldwell's piercing stare head-on.

A smirk played at Alexander's lips as he tilted his chin up. "My wife just texted me. Why? Are you that interested in our private conversations?"

Ethan's knuckles turned white where they gripped the armrest. The way Alexander's entire demeanor had softened while reading that message made his stomach churn. That wasn't the cold, calculating businessman he knew - that was a man genuinely in love.

He swallowed hard, the taste of bile sharp on his tongue. When Alexander's gaze dropped pointedly to his bandaged hand, Ethan jerked it behind his back like he'd been burned.

The memory of yesterday's confrontation flashed behind his eyelids - Alexander's calm voice contrasting with the sickening crack of bone. The pain still throbbed through his entire arm, a constant reminder of his humiliation.

Alexander pretended not to notice his discomfort, sliding a file across the polished mahogany desk. "Explain this." His voice could have frozen hell. "The Horizon Enterprises merger was your project. Now it's a catastrophe."

Ethan's teeth sank into his bottom lip hard enough to draw blood as he flipped through the documents. He'd already pieced together what happened during the tense car ride here.

In his distraction before Christmas - distracted by thoughts of Evelyn, always Evelyn - he'd missed a decimal point in the financials. What should have been a $50 million acquisition had been signed for $5 million. The board would have his head for this.

The company had taken a devastating hit, and Alexander was livid. He'd called Ethan into the office despite it being the holidays.

Ethan knew he'd messed up. "I'll personally compensate Titan Capital Group for the losses," he said quickly.

Alexander's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Ethan, this isn't just about money."

His voice dropped, sharp as a blade. "Do you have any idea what this scandal will do to Titan Capital Group's reputation? A company of this magnitude making such an amateur mistake?"

A pause. Then, deliberately, Alexander added, "You haven't forgotten why your father was exiled overseas, have you? Why he still can't set foot in this country?"

Ethan's jaw clenched.

How could he forget?

Vincent had been in charge of Titan Capital Group for barely six months. In that short time, he'd bled the company dry—nearly ten billion dollars lost. Overnight, the empire became a hollow shell.

William had been furious. He'd had no choice but to recall Alexander, the estranged heir no one had taken seriously. Yet against all odds, Alexander had turned everything around within a year.

The difference between them was staggering.

Alexander's first act as CEO had been stripping Vincent of all authority. Then, he'd made sure every disastrous decision Vincent had made was publicly exposed.

Vincent lost everything—his position, his dignity. He became a laughingstock, whispered about in every elite circle.

Unable to bear the humiliation, Vincent had tried to sabotage Alexander—

The moment Alexander mentioned Vincent, Ethan understood everything.

Alexander's voice was ice. "Submit your resignation and explain yourself to the board."

Ethan's jaw clenched. This wasn’t just business—it was personal. Leaving Titan Capital Group meant losing any chance to see Evelyn regularly. Worse, it would erase his family’s remaining influence in the company entirely.

His gaze turned sharp. "I’ll resign. But tell me, Uncle Alexander—are you this desperate to remove me because you’re scared?" A bitter smirk twisted his lips. "Scared that Evelyn might still choose me one day?"

"Scared of you?" Alexander let out a derisive laugh. "Ethan, you overestimate your importance."

The air between them crackled with tension.

Ethan didn’t back down. "Then why the urgency? If you’re so confident, why force me out now?"

Alexander’s expression darkened. "This isn’t about confidence. It’s about consequences."

A beat of silence passed.

Ethan exhaled slowly, his voice dropping to a dangerous murmur. "Or maybe… it’s about control."

Alexander’s eyes flashed. "Careful, Ethan. You’re not in a position to make accusations."

Ethan held his stare, unflinching. "We’ll see."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the threat hanging in the air.

Alexander watched him go, his fingers tightening around the edge of his desk.

This wasn’t over.

Not even close.