Chapter 85

The Horizon Enterprises merger was Titan Capital Group's most crucial undertaking this quarter. Before Evelyn Carter joined the company, whispers had circulated about who Alexander Whitmore would assign to lead it.

Successfully executing this deal would cement one's reputation as an industry powerhouse.

Victoria Sloan had openly campaigned for the role multiple times, but Alexander remained unmoved. To everyone's shock, the responsibility landed in Evelyn's lap—a newcomer with no prior corporate mergers experience.

"What does she know about high-stakes negotiations? This involves multiple international stakeholders. One misstep, and she'll be drowning in liabilities for the rest of her life," Victoria muttered bitterly.

Daniel Pierce's brow furrowed. "Mr. Whitmore chose Evelyn for a reason. Our team will support her. If anything goes wrong, accountability falls on all of us."

Victoria scoffed but held her tongue.

Daniel turned to Evelyn, his tone softening. "Review the files first. If anything's unclear, come to me. No question is too small."

Natalie Brooks nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. Mr. Pierce is the best mentor you could ask for."

Evelyn's fingers brushed the contract's edge, the weight of expectation pressing against her ribs. Across the glass-walled conference room, Alexander's silhouette moved past, his attention never straying toward her.

She exhaled.

This was her chance to prove herself—or crash spectacularly.

Evelyn nodded absently as she worked, her fingers flying across the keyboard. Time slipped away unnoticed. She circled a few confusing sections in the document, making a mental note to research them later.

Before lunch, Alexander and Simon left Titan Capital Group. Some urgent project negotiations required their presence outside the office—likely keeping them occupied for the rest of the day.

When the clock struck noon, Natalie appeared at Evelyn’s desk. "Hungry?" she asked with a smile.

They headed to the cafeteria together.

After eating, Natalie excused herself for a quick nap upstairs.

Left to her own devices, Evelyn wandered through the sleek corridors of the company.

She remembered Daniel mentioning something about a music room in the leisure area during her first day.

Somehow, her feet led her there without conscious thought.

The music room was tucked away in a quiet corner—a private, soundproofed sanctuary.

At this hour, it stood empty.

Her gaze immediately locked onto the cello resting at the far end.

It had been so long since she last played.

Not since… that night.

At that exact moment, Ethan stepped out of the Human Resources Department.

"According to the manager, Ms. Hart was hired through standard procedures and is now assigned to the President’s Office," Nathan reported, trailing behind him.

Ethan strode forward, his expression icy and unreadable.

He had assumed Vanessa came to work at Titan Capital Group just to get his attention.

But days had passed, and she hadn’t made a single move to approach him.

The realization irritated him.

Instead of joining the Marketing Department—where he was stationed—she had gone straight to the President’s Office.

With every passing moment, Vanessa became more of an enigma to him.

As they passed the leisure area, the rich, melancholic notes of a cello drifted from the music room.

Ethan froze.

For a heartbeat, he stood completely still. Then, without warning, he turned sharply and strode toward the source of the music, his pace quickening with urgency.

Nathan barely had time to react before rushing after him.

The rich, mournful notes of the cello resonated through the air, deep and haunting. Ethan Caldwell stood frozen, his chest tightening at the familiar melody. Nathan Reeves watched him, puzzled by the intensity of his reaction.

The corporate lounge was spacious, divided into cozy sections with glass partitions. At this hour, only a handful of employees lingered over coffee.

When Ethan bolted toward the music room, the cello's song cut off abruptly.

His pulse raced as he flung the door open, hope surging through him.

But the room was empty.

A cold dread settled in his stomach. He rushed to the polished cello, fingers brushing its smooth surface, then scanned every corner—behind the piano, near the soundproof panels.

Nothing. No one.

"Did you hear it too?" Ethan turned to Nathan, voice strained. "Or am I losing my mind?"

Nathan nodded. "Clear as day. Whoever it was must've left through the other exit."

The music room had two doors—one leading back into Titan Capital Group, the other to the private courtyard.

Ethan's jaw clenched. That melody...

He hadn't heard it in over a decade.