Davis's piercing gaze locked onto him, cold and unrelenting. "Why aren't you saying anything," he demanded, his voice sharp despite the weakness in his body. "What exactly have been going on while I was trapped here?"
Ethan's throat tightened as he stood by the hospital bed, his hands clenched as the weight of the report he wants to render weighs heavily on him. He didn't want to be the bearer of such devastating news, but Davis deserves to know the truth and he will have no option then telling him yet he can't imagine how grievous he will feel. The die is cast and there is no going back, He took a steadying breath and opened his mouth to speak, his voice tinged with regret.
He has been with Davis since he took over the reins of Allen group some years ago after the death of his father. He had poured out his sweat and blood to ensure that the Allen group got to where they are today but just in one day they had escaped from his grasp.
Davis sat stiffly, his heart beating wildly as his sharp gaze bore into him, demanding answers. Ethan inhaled deeply and began, his voice wavering his report: "The night of your accident, changed everything," Ethan started cautiously.
"Desmond took control of the company the next day as the doctor's declared you fell into coma and your grandfather admitted as the news of your accident got to him. It's stated to be temporary, just until you recovered."
Davis's brows knitted, his lips pressing into a hard line. "Temporary?" he repeated, his voice edged with bitterness. "And what about now?" "Who is overseeing the company and what had been your duty?" he queried.
Ethan hesitated before answering. "Sir, I can't do anything because Desmond gave me a letter of suspension till further notice. Though his take over is said to be temporary but It's far from temporary because for the past four months Desmond has worked hard to consolidated his power in the company and in all other circles. Aaron has also being made the COO two months ago."
Davis's fists tightened, his jaw clenched. "Aaron?" the name rolling off his tongue like venom. "His son and my cousin?" He asked.
Ethan flinched at the coldness of his tone. "Yes, They've been restructuring the company, making decisions without consulting Elder Allen and for the board… most of them are siding with Desmond now."
"What is happening with the Louis, how did Vera become Aaron's fiancée?" He asked with subtle tinge of pain laced in his voice. Looking at his face, Ethan swallowed hard and averted his gaze. This is the troubling part. It is a well known fact in Country A that Davis has loved Vera for so long, how will he be the one to break the news of her engagement to someone else.
Ethan had never felt the life of an assistant being difficult like at this moment glancing at Davis again whose gaze on him was daring not to answer the question "The Louis family signed an alliance with Desmond as they invested some money to cushion the company as the stock failed due to your accident and --- the marriage was part of the deal."
"And the engagement", he asked gathering his composure.
Ethan's heart sank, "She got engaged to Aaron three months ago."
The words landed like a sledgehammer. Davis froze, his expression unreadable. "Three months ago? Which is just one month after my accident? Barely --four weeks of my accident? Is that all I am worth?" His voice was hollow and bitter.
Ethan could feel his heart shattering at the realization that the years he had shared with her is not worth her attention. He only hope, he wouldn't do anything stupid."
Davis's head dropped slightly, his shoulders sagging. "Why was the promotional video still played even after three months?"
"It is just to create opportunities for the company and to attract more investors." Ethan replied.
"Marketing stunts?" he asked with a skeptical frown. "When as the Allen group fallen to the point of using marriage as an end to attract investors?" He asked. Ethan shrugged his shoulders, he can't really say because he had thought as much but then it is not in his place to worry as he had been more worried for Davis to wake up.
For a moment, he said nothing, the silence suffocating. Then, in a voice that trembled with restrained fury, he asked, "And what about the projects that was on going before the accident and the ones that had been in place for years?"
"The projects has been sold off and some were paused, the foreign branches was downsized the reason stated that the operating cost is too much for the group to bear and some key projects you spearheaded had been taken over by Desmond", he finished in one breathe.
Davis let out a bitter laugh, the sound cold and sharp. "So, not only am I crippled, but every ounce of my hard work have been erased. The plot is so perfect."
"You mentioned my grandfather been admitted, how is he?" His voice was devoid of emotion, but his eyes betrayed the storm raging inside.
"After he was admitted due to the shock of your accident, his health had been failing. So, they've isolated him and pushed him into a corner. Currently, he is been pressured to retire with the support of the family and boards. It has been a hectic time for Elder Allen"
Davis's gaze shifted to the window, his expression hardening as he processed the enormity of his losses. "Desmond and his son have taken over everything I have labored for; my grandfather's health is failing and he is being cast aside. And Vera…" His voice broke slightly on her name before he steadied himself. "She has moved to marry my cousin, next time I see how do I address her?"
He paused briefly as some memories flashed through his subconscious, he looked up at Ethan "Has Vera ever visited me since I was unconscious", he asked with a skeptical tone.
Ethan said nothing, unable to meet Davis's gaze. Davis didn't wait for his response; it is clear she never visited but he was sure of the voice he heard but it's no longer time to dwell on this.
Davis exhaled deeply, "Tell me, Ethan," he finally said, his voice cold and lifeless. "What exactly do you think is left for me in this state?" His voice bitter. Ethan looked at him, hoping he could say anything to console him but no word seems to come forth from his mouth.
"You can leave," he said flatly. "There's nothing more to say."
Davis closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. He had lost it all and for the first time in his life, he didn't know if he had the strength to fight back.
Ethan hesitated but eventually obeyed. As he walked toward the door, the sound of footsteps echoing in the hallway made him pause in his tracks. Davis's gaze snapped toward the door just as Desmond and Aaron strode into the room, their casual arrogance palpable. Desmond's smirk was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade, while Aaron stood just behind him, arms crossed, a smug expression etched on his face.
"Finally, you're awake," Desmond drawled. He took a moment to glance at Ethan, who instinctively stepped closer to Davis, standing like a barrier between them.
"I assume your loyal assistant has filled you in on all the... adjustments we've made in your absence." He asked with indifference.
Davis eyes raged with fury, his hands clenched under the sheets "Do you say adjustments?" he asked coldly. "That is very rich coming from you. "
Desmond chuckled, unfazed by Davis's glare. "Call it what you will, dear nephew. But you and I know that business doesn't have to stop or wait for you to wake up when you are having your beauty sleep".
Aaron snickered at the remark, but a sharp glance from Davis made him shut his mouth up.
"Now that you are awake and with the situation at hand, it is necessary we talk about your future," Desmond continued, ignoring the tension in the room.
"My future?" "What about it?" Davis arched his brow, he has a bad feeling but yet he can only wait to hear him out.
Desmond clasped his hands behind his back, pacing leisurely as if the room were his. "Given your... current condition, the family believes it's essential for you to have someone by your side. A wife, to be specific. Someone who can 'support' you." He smirked, his tone laced with mockery.
Davis's eyes narrowed, his voice sharp. "And by 'the family,' you mean you."
"Grandpa agreed to it," Aaron chimed in, his voice dripping with false concern. "He thinks it's for your own good, considering, well, everything." He gestured vaguely at Davis, his implication clear.
Desmond continued, as if Aaron hadn't interrupted. "We've already arranged a marriage alliance with the Brown family. Their eldest daughter is a suitable candidate—quiet, unassuming, and, most importantly, available. A perfect fit for someone in your... position."
Davis felt his blood boil. The Brown family? A name he barely recognized, yet they had already decided his fate, his life, his marriage—without his consent. His fists tightened, though his body protested with weakness.
"So, you've decided my marriage without asking me," he said, his voice low but dangerous.
Desmond's smirked "We're just looking out for you, Davis. Let's face it—you're hardly in a position to be making decisions right now. Besides, someone needs to take care of you, and she'll fit the role of a nanny perfectly. She'll do just fine."
Davis glared at them, the room was silent, the tension thick then, with a slow, deliberate effort, Davis leaned forward, his voice calm but laced with venom. "Get out."
Desmond blinked, momentarily surprised at his momentum "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Davis growled, his voice gaining strength. "Get. The. Hell. Out.
Desmond's smirk faltered, but only for a moment. "You can't fight this, Davis. It's already in motion."
With a mocking nod, Desmond turned and left the room, Aaron following closely behind, though he couldn't resist tossing a sneer over his shoulder.
Once they were gone, Davis let out a slow breath, his body sagging against the pillows. Ethan moved closer, his expression a mix of worry and admiration.
"Sir..." Ethan began, but Davis raised a hand, cutting him off.
"There's no need, Ethan. They are right. With my condition, there's little I can do. Let's just go with the flow." He said weakly.