Chapter 83

Evelyn hadn't reached out to Ethan in days.

Her silence, however, sparked the wrong assumption.

Ethan found himself struggling to decipher her actions.

His brow furrowed as he turned to Nathan. "Cancel the trip."

Without another word, he strode back into the Titan Capital Group building.

Nathan blinked in shock. "But we've spent weeks negotiating this deal. If we back out now, all that effort goes to waste."

Ethan wasn’t impulsive—he was calculated, driven.

Ever since Alexander took over Titan Capital, Ethan’s influence had been slipping.

Losing this contract now would be a strategic misstep.

He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to think.

Ryan had a tournament coming up.

In the world of competitive gaming, players went into isolation for days before a match.

Ethan’s fingers tapped against his thigh.

Maybe Evelyn’s distance had nothing to do with him.

Or maybe it had everything to do with him.

He couldn’t decide which possibility unsettled him more.

Nathan hesitated. "Should I still cancel the arrangements?"

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

Then, just as suddenly, he relaxed.

"No," he said. "We proceed as planned."

But his mind was already elsewhere.

If Evelyn wanted space, he’d give it to her.

For now.

He probably wouldn't dare show his face around Evelyn again.

After all, they'd only had that awkward blind date. Ethan Caldwell wasn't the type to dwell on meaningless encounters.

He couldn’t care less about Evelyn Carter.

Titan Capital Group lived up to its reputation as a corporate giant, its vast operations enough to intimidate even the most ambitious newcomer.

Luckily, Daniel Pierce was efficient. His meticulous organization of files made Evelyn’s first day slightly less overwhelming.

She was skimming through a stack of reports when Natalie Brooks from the adjacent desk leaned over. "Did you grab breakfast?"

"Not yet."

Natalie slid a yogurt cup toward her with a shy smile. "Here. You’ll need the energy."

Evelyn thanked her and took a few quick sips before Daniel called the team to the conference room.

Everything in the CEO’s orbit revolved around Alexander Whitmore.

The meeting focused on finalizing his agenda for the week, with tasks delegated to specific team members.

The conference room buzzed with energy as project assignments were handed out. Everyone except Evelyn received substantial work.

Victoria Sloan's manicured finger tapped against the mahogany table. "From today onward, your sole responsibility will be fetching Mr. Whitmore's coffee and lunch orders." Her crimson lips curled. "Consider yourself lucky to even have that much."

Daniel Pierce's grip tightened around his pen. This wasn't how Titan Capital operated - junior analysts rotated support duties, and certainly weren't permanently relegated to glorified catering staff.

He caught Evelyn's eye across the glass-walled room. The new recruit sat perfectly still, her expression unreadable beneath those thick lashes.

When Victoria turned to address another team member, Daniel leaned closer. "I've got three projects needing extra hands if you're interested," he murmured.

Victoria's head snapped around. "Problem, Mr. Pierce?" Her stiletto tapped an impatient rhythm. "Ms. Carter barely has an associate's degree from some community college. Until she proves otherwise, the breakroom is her domain."

Daniel adjusted his tie. "We all started somewhere, Victoria. I see potential."

The temperature in the room dropped several degrees.

Evelyn's fingers twitched against her notebook. The leather-bound planner bore fresh indentations where her nails had dug in moments earlier.

Across thirty-two floors of steel and glass, Alexander Whitmore's private elevator descended toward the executive dining room. His phone buzzed with a security alert - movement detected in his otherwise empty penthouse.

The game was afoot.

Victoria Sloan and Daniel Pierce led Division One and Division Two respectively. In all their years of collaboration, they had never clashed—until now.

The source of their first disagreement? The new recruit, Evelyn Carter.

But since Evelyn was under Daniel's direct supervision, Victoria couldn't voice her objections too strongly.

The meeting adjourned, and employees filed out of the conference room.

Evelyn and Natalie Brooks lingered behind, exiting just as Alexander Whitmore stepped out of the elevator.

Natalie discreetly tugged Evelyn's sleeve. "That's the CEO—Mr. Whitmore. Follow my lead," she whispered urgently.

Evelyn had started at Titan Capital Group while Alexander was away on business, so this was likely their first meeting.

Natalie didn’t want her to appear disrespectful, so she nudged her again, signaling her to greet him properly.

Evelyn lowered her gaze, staring at the polished marble floor. The soft click of leather shoes approaching made her fingers curl instinctively.

Alexander paused.

Startled, she looked up—and found herself trapped in his piercing gaze.

His voice, smooth yet commanding, drifted down to her. "Are you new here?"

The crisp autumn air carried the faint scent of burning leaves as I stepped into the bustling lobby of Titan Capital Group. My heels clicked against the marble floor, drawing curious glances from employees rushing to their morning meetings.

A young woman with fiery red hair approached me, her clipboard clutched tightly against her chest. "Excuse me, ma'am," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you... new here?"

I arched an eyebrow, recognizing the nervous energy of someone fresh out of college. The name tag on her blazer read 'Natalie Brooks' - one of the junior analysts from the finance department.

Before I could respond, a familiar deep voice cut through the chatter. "She's with me."

Alexander Whitmore emerged from the elevator bank, his tailored navy suit accentuating his broad shoulders. The entire lobby seemed to hold its breath as he strode toward us, his presence commanding immediate attention.

Natalie's eyes widened. "Mr. Whitmore! I-I didn't realize—"

"Evelyn Carter," Alexander said smoothly, placing a possessive hand on the small of my back. "My wife."

The temperature in the room seemed to spike several degrees as whispers erupted around us. I could practically see the gossip spreading like wildfire through the corporate grapevine.

Natalie's face turned scarlet. "Oh my God! Mrs. Whitmore, I'm so sorry—"

"Relax," I said with an amused smile, adjusting the strap of my designer bag. "It's my first time visiting since the merger. Though I must say," I cast a meaningful glance at Alexander, "someone should have warned your staff."

Alexander's lips quirked into that infuriatingly handsome smirk I knew too well. "Where would be the fun in that?"

As we walked toward the private elevators, I noticed Vanessa Hart lurking near the reception desk, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her leather portfolio. The hatred in her gaze could have melted steel.

"Trouble in paradise?" I murmured to Alexander as the elevator doors closed.

He pulled me flush against him, his breath warm against my ear. "Let her watch."

The elevator began its ascent, and I knew this was only the beginning of the storm brewing on the horizon. Somewhere in this very building, Ethan Caldwell was waiting, and this time, I wouldn't be the one left broken.