Chapter 326

The air in the office grew heavier as Alexander Whitmore set down his pen, his piercing gaze fixed on Ethan Caldwell.

"Now that business is settled," Alexander began, his voice like winter frost, "let's address the personal matter between us."

He spun the pen between his fingers, the movement deliberate, controlled. "Don't mistake your relentless pursuit of Evelyn for some grand romantic gesture. Let’s be clear—right now, you’re no better than a man trying to steal another’s wife."

A muscle twitched in Ethan’s jaw.

"The illustrious Ethan Caldwell of Cresthaven, reduced to this?" Alexander’s lips curled in disdain. "The Caldwell family won’t stand for it. Neither will I."

He leaned forward, his tone cutting. "You have two choices."

"First—follow your father’s footsteps and disappear after the holidays."

"Or second—swear to me, in front of everyone at Whitmore Manor, that you’ll never approach Evelyn again." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Break that promise, and you’ll find yourself on the first flight out of the country."

Ethan’s fingers clenched into fists beneath the table.

He had known Alexander wouldn’t let yesterday’s confrontation go unanswered. But he hadn’t expected the man to strip him of every possible chance with Evelyn so ruthlessly.

Of course.

A man like Alexander Whitmore didn’t leave room for mercy when it came to rivals.

"Fair? Don't even start. Let me make this clear—Evelyn is mine now. Do you honestly believe the Caldwell name will protect you from me?"

Alexander's voice was a blade of ice.

This wasn't Uncle Alexander speaking. This was Evelyn's husband, ruthless and unyielding.

Their eyes clashed, and Ethan Caldwell felt the fight drain out of him.

His impulsive move had backfired spectacularly. Instead of gaining leverage, he'd trapped himself in a corner.

Now, he was caught between a storm and a cliff.

Alexander's warning couldn't be clearer. If Ethan pushed further, he'd face the consequences in front of the entire Whitmore family.

As things stood, Ethan had no ground to stand on. Exposing this would only humiliate him further.

A sharp ring cut through the tension—an international call.

Alexander's gaze flicked to the phone, then back to Ethan, colder than ever. "If you know what's good for you, pack your things and get out of Titan Capital Group."

Ethan stormed out of the office, his footsteps heavy as he headed toward the Marketing Department.

The office stood unnervingly quiet, with most employees still away on holiday. Ethan Caldwell found himself completely alone in the space that had once felt like a second home.

He had joined Titan Capital Group fresh out of university, dedicating years of his life to climbing its corporate ladder.

Now, because of one reckless error, he was being forced out. Though he retained his shares, his position within the company was no longer secure.

Leaning back in his chair, Ethan pressed his fingers against his temples, willing the throbbing ache to subside.

Titan Capital Group had been his entire world. Had Alexander Whitmore not suddenly emerged as the golden heir, Ethan would have been next in line for the CEO position.

But now? Alexander had taken everything. His father was exiled. Even his own place in the company was slipping through his fingers.

And Evelyn Carter—the woman he loved—was drifting further away with each passing day.

A bitter taste filled his mouth. He refused to accept that Alexander was superior in any way.

Everything Alexander can offer her, I can too. So why won’t Evelyn choose me?

He had admitted his mistakes. He had even swallowed his pride and begged for her forgiveness.

The HR department worked with ruthless efficiency. Despite the holiday, the paperwork was already—

The holiday atmosphere in Cresthaven was shattered within hours as Ethan Caldwell's resignation email landed in every Titan Capital Group employee's inbox.

Whispers spread like wildfire through the corporate halls.

Ethan Caldwell—forced out of Titan Capital Group?

In barely twelve months, both he and his father had been systematically outmaneuvered by Alexander Whitmore. The office grapevine overflowed with theories.

Some claimed Alexander was a cutthroat strategist. Others whispered that Ethan's catastrophic mistake had been an elaborate trap designed to remove the last remaining threat to Alexander's dominance.

As Ethan zipped up his final box of belongings, his phone vibrated violently against the polished mahogany desk. Eleanor's name flashed across the screen.

"Ethan! What in heaven's name happened? You resigned?"