Chapter 61

Nathan and Margaret were locked in a heated debate over the company's profit distribution.

Upstairs, Evelyn had just managed to calm Vanessa after an emotional breakdown.

Vanessa twisted her fingers nervously, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mom... do you think Evelyn took that position at Titan Capital Group just to get close to Ethan?"

Margaret hesitated, choosing her words carefully. She reached out to smooth Vanessa's hair. "Darling, you and Ethan are engaged. Evelyn can't possibly come between you now."

Truthfully, Margaret believed Evelyn had brought this mess upon herself.

"You've suffered enough because of this situation," Margaret murmured, her heart aching for her daughter.

Her thoughts raced. Vanessa grew up sheltered, so trusting. Not only was her reputation tarnished by this scandal, but she also had to bear the consequences of Evelyn's mistakes. She could have had a perfect engagement, but instead, she's paying for her stepsister's poor choices. Ethan is exceptional in every way, but he was Evelyn's first. And yet Vanessa never complains—she endures everything for this family's sake.

Vanessa sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "I just... I don’t understand why she had to come back now."

Margaret pulled her into a tight embrace. "Some people can't let go of the past, sweetheart. But you? You’re stronger than that."

Downstairs, the argument grew louder.

Vanessa flinched at the raised voices. "Do you think Dad will side with her again?"

Margaret’s grip tightened slightly. "Not this time."

A tense silence settled between them, broken only by the distant sound of shattering glass—likely Nathan slamming something in frustration.

Vanessa exhaled shakily. "I just want this to be over."

Margaret kissed her forehead. "It will be. And when it is, you’ll have everything you deserve."

Somewhere in the house, a door slammed shut.

The storm was far from over.

Margaret sighed softly, running her fingers through Vanessa's hair. "Don't worry, darling. I'll arrange a match for Evelyn so she can move on from Ethan. You just focus on your wedding preparations. Right now, that’s what matters most."

After leaving Hawthorne Estate, Evelyn checked the offer from Titan Capital Group.

The email had arrived that morning. She had been job hunting for days, submitting countless resumes online.

But before she could even attend the interview, the offer had landed in her inbox.

Evelyn suspected Alexander’s hand in this.

With that thought, she pulled out her phone and sent him a quick message.

Meanwhile, in a sleek corporate skyscraper overseas, the boardroom hummed with quiet intensity.

Executives in tailored suits lined both sides of the long conference table, pens poised over notepads.

A foreign executive stood at the front, gesturing toward the projection screen as he spoke.

Every word was absorbed in silence, broken only by the occasional scratch of pens against paper.

The conference room was filled with tension as executives stole furtive glances at Alexander Whitmore's expression. He occupied the front row, his presence commanding the space effortlessly.

Dressed in a charcoal-gray suit tailored to perfection, Alexander exuded an air of quiet dominance. The fine fabric accentuated his broad shoulders and lean frame, every stitch a testament to luxury. A sleek silver pen twirled absently between his long fingers.

Leaning back slightly in the plush leather chair, he radiated authority without uttering a word. His posture was relaxed yet poised, every movement deliberate—like a predator at ease, yet always aware.

The room held its breath. His sharp features were unreadable, his piercing gaze fixed ahead. To the onlookers, he was an enigma wrapped in power—cold, untouchable.

Rumors swirled about him. For over two decades, Alexander had moved through high society like a shadow, his name whispered but rarely seen.

Then, a year ago, he emerged from obscurity to seize control of Titan Capital Group with ruthless precision. His rise was meteoric, his methods flawless.

Yet now, the man who commanded boardrooms with a single glance was distracted. His attention had shifted to the phone resting on the polished mahogany table.

Nineteen hours, forty-eight minutes, and thirty-two seconds.

That was how long it had been since he last saw Evelyn.

What was she doing right now?

The thought made his jaw tighten imperceptibly.

The executive presenting froze mid-sentence, noticing the subtle shift in Alexander's expression. A flicker of unease passed through the room.

Had they said something wrong?

But Alexander wasn’t listening.

His mind was elsewhere—with her.

The air in the boardroom was thick with tension.

Ethan Caldwell frowned at his presentation, convinced something was off. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, hesitating.

A bead of cold sweat trickled down his temple. He wiped it away discreetly, forcing himself to focus.

Then, Alexander Whitmore’s phone buzzed.

The moment he glanced at the screen, an uncharacteristic smile curved his lips.

All eyes turned toward him.

Without missing a beat, Alexander gestured for the meeting to continue. His expression smoothed back into its usual indifference as he unlocked his phone.

A message from Evelyn Carter lit up the screen:

[Mr. Whitmore, when will you be back?]

Alexander’s brow arched. His fingers moved swiftly.

[Mr. Whitmore?]

On the other end, Evelyn’s breath hitched.

Her pulse quickened.

Did I upset him? Claire warned me—I have to keep him happy.

She swallowed hard, then pressed the voice message button.

Back in the boardroom, Alexander tapped the audio file.

Evelyn’s voice, soft and honeyed, filled the silent room:

[Sweetheart.]