Richard followed close behind, his steps slightly hesitant but steady. The tension between them was palpable, the air heavy with unspoken words and lingering resentment. They reached Evan's office, and Evan gestured for Richard to enter first.
Once inside, Evan closed the door behind them, effectively sealing them off from prying eyes and ears. He crossed the room and took his seat behind his desk, his gaze locking onto Richard, waiting for him to speak.
Richard took a moment to compose himself, his gaze still tinged with a lingering frustration. "Evan," he began, his voice tense. "I need to understand. Why are you so adamantly opposed to my project in the west coast branch?"
Evan regarded Richard coolly, his expression enigmatic. "It's simple, Richard," he responded, his voice betraying no hint of emotion. "I don't believe it's the best use of our company's resources and capital. The risks outweigh the potential rewards, and I believe there are more promising opportunities for growth elsewhere."
Richard's frustration boiled over. "But I've done all the research and calculations. I truly believe this is a worthwhile investment," he argued, his voice tinged with desperation.
Richard's frustration was evident in his expression as he retorted, "It wasn't necessary to bring that up in front of everyone. We could have discussed this privately."
Evan's gaze remained steady as he responded, "Perhaps, but it's important to keep the team aligned and informed on our decisions. Your project proposal seemed imprudent, given the available information."
Richard's voice trembled with barely contained anger. "Don't give me that," he shot back, his tone betraying his mounting frustration. "You're just trying to undermine me and discredit my project."
Evan leaned back in his chair, his expression still annoyingly calm. "I'm not trying to undermine you, Richard," he replied coolly. "I'm simply ensuring that we make the best strategic decisions for the company's growth and success. Your project proposal didn't align with that. It's as simple as that."
Richard clenched his fists, his voice filled with thinly-veiled anger. "Even as the CEO, you don't have a monopoly on decisions," he retorted, his words dripping with resentment. "I hold a significant number of shares in this company too. I have a voice and a vote."
Evan chuckled, the sound tinged with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm well aware of your voting power, Richard," he taunted, his tone dripping with mockery. "But just because you hold shares, it doesn't automatically make every idea you have valuable."
Richard's face flushed with anger, his eyes narrowing as he shot back, "And just because you're the CEO, it doesn't give you the right to dismiss every idea that doesn't align with your vision."
Evan raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with derision. "On the contrary, as CEO, it's my responsibility to prioritize the company's best interests and make decisions that align with our strategic goals," he responded coolly. "If your proposals don't meet those targets, then they're not worth pursuing."
Richard's frustration reached its peak, his words laced with bitterness. "So you're just going to disregard my years of experience and contributions, simply because my ideas don't match your narrow-minded approach?"
Richard's expression twisted with a mix of anger and bitterness as he snapped, "You've been driving me crazy lately, you know that? You seem to have grown far too arrogant in your position as CEO."
Richard's voice dripped with resentment as he continued, "Isn't that it, brother?" His tone was laced with mockery and bitterness. "Or should I say, step-brother?"
A flicker of irritation crossed Evan's expression, but he maintained his composure. "Watch your tone, Richard," he warned, his voice laced with a hint of menace. "Don't forget who has the final say around here."
Richard let out a scoff, his face contorted with frustration. "Oh, don't you dare pull that rank on me," he spat back. "I'm not some subordinate who you can push around and dismiss. I've earned my place in this company just as much as you have."
Evan met Richard's defiant glare with a cool, calculated look. "Well," he said with a hint of resignation in his voice. "If this project fails, I won't invest any more capital into it. You'll be on your own."
Richard's expression remained defiant, but a hint of uncertainty flickered in his eyes as he realized the weight of Evan's words. He swallowed hard before replying, "Fine. I'll prove you wrong, Evan. This project will succeed, and I won't need your backing anyway."
Evan's lips curled into a subtle smirk, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "We'll see about that,little brother" he responded calmly, his voice tinged with a hint of challenge.
Richard clenched his jaw, his gaze locked onto Evan's as he replied, "Don't call me that. You may be older, but you're only my stepbrother. You don't have the right to act all mighty and superior."
Evan's smirk widened slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "Oh, but isn't that exactly what I am, little brother? Older, wiser, and in control of this company," he taunted, his voice laced with condescension.
Richard clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white with anger. "You're nothing but an arrogant, manipulative bastard, Evan," he seethed, his voice dripping with bitterness. "You always have been ever since Mom married your father."
Evan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his gaze unwavering. "Oh, don't pretend like you're any better, Richard," he retorted calmly. "You're just as power-hungry and ambitious as I am. You just hide it behind a veneer of sweetness and charm."
Richard's nostrils flared with anger as he replied, "At least I'm not constantly manipulating and controlling everyone around me. I don't enjoy ruining people's lives the way you do, Evan."
Evan let out a cynical laugh, his eyes gleaming with mockery. "You're hilarious, Richard," he mocked. "You think you're some selfless saint, but you're just as cunning and ruthless as me."
Richard's face twisted with frustration as he shot back, "Don't you dare compare me to you, Evan. I may be ambitious, but I have principles and values. You, on the other hand, have none. Everything is just a game to you, a way to satisfy your insatiable hunger for power."
Evan's expression remained steady, but his tone held a note of mockery. "Principles and values, eh?" He scoffed lightly. "How noble of you, Richard. But tell me, how many people have you stabbed in the back in the pursuit of your ambition?"
Richard's face paled slightly, his expression betraying a hint of discomfort. He opened his mouth to respond, but Evan cut him off before he could speak. "Oh, don't bother denying it," Evan said dismissively. "I know all about your little schemes and manipulations. You're not as innocent as you pretend to be."
Richard reluctantly got up from his seat, his face still flushed with anger and frustration. Without another word, he stormed out of Evan's office, his shoulders tensed and his hands clenched into fists.
The door slammed shut behind Richard, leaving Evan alone in his office. Evan took a deep, steadying breath, the corners of his lips curling into a small, satisfied smirk.
"Such a predictable reaction," he murmured to himself, leaning back in his chair and interlacing his fingers. "Some things never change."
After the final meeting of the day wrapped up, Evan gathered his belongings and prepared to leave his office. He could feel the weight of the day's events weighing on his shoulders, but he pushed through, his mind already shifting gears as he readied to return home.
As he stepped outside the building, the cool evening air greeted him, offering a small respite from the day's stresses. Evan took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping across the cityscape before focusing on the driver waiting diligently next to his car.
As Evan arrived at his mansion and stepped inside, he was immediately struck by a sense of quietude that hung in the air. The usual hustle and bustle of the staff seemed distinctly absent, leaving an eerie stillness in its lugar.
Evan walked through the expansive halls of the mansion, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors. He made his way to Ella's room. He knocked gently before entering, a subtle furrow on his brow.
As he entered Ella's room, he immediately noticed something amiss. The room was unusually quiet and devoid of her presence. A sense of unease settled over him as he called out her name. "Ella?"
His voice echoed through the empty room, but there was no reply. Confused and concerned, Evan began a thorough search of the mansion, his footsteps quickening as he realized she was nowhere to be found.
Evan made his way to his study room, still trying to shake off the growing unease in his chest. As he opened the door, he found Ella standing by his desk, her fingers rifling through a stack of documents. However, the moment she heard the door open, she froze, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Oh, you're back," she said, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness. She hastily returned the documents to their original place and tried to feign nonchalance, but Evan's keen senses had already picked up on her actions.
He raised an eyebrow, a slight frown creasing his forehead as he observed her. "What are you doing?" he asked, his tone casual but hiding a hint of suspicion.
Ella forced a smile, trying to maintain a casual air. "Oh, just...tidying up a bit. You know, organizing your papers and all," she replied, her tone just a touch too airy to be completely convincing.
Evan studied her for a moment, his gaze searching and perceptive. He could see the slight flush on her cheeks, the way she avoided meeting his gaze directly. Something was amiss, she was hiding something from him.
"Is that so?" he replied, his voice carefully neutral, betraying nothing of his inner suspicions. He walked over to the desk, pretending to examine the pile of documents she had just been rifling through.
The papers were a mix of business papers and personal documents, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. However, Evan couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. He picked up a random document and pretended to read it, his gaze never leaving Ella's face.
"You seem a bit... distracted," he remarked, his tone nonchalant. "Is everything alright?"
Ella fidgeted nervously, her hands fluttering from her hair to her dress, as if she was struggling to find something to do with them. "Of course, everything's fine," she replied, her voice a bit too chipper for Evan's taste. "Just... had a lot on my mind, that's all."
With deliberate movements, Evan circled round the desk and walked towards Ella, his gaze never leaving her. He halted in front of her, his expression inscrutable, as he stood a few inches away from her, their proximity causing a palpable tension to fill the room.
"Are you sure about that? " he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Her heart thudded in her chest as he moved closer. Each step he took felt like a calculated move, his gaze fixed on her, studying her every move. She tried to mask her anxiety with a nonchalant smile, but it was obvious how tense she was under his scrutiny.
"I'm... I'm sure," Ella replied, her voice wavering slightly. She could feel the heat of his gaze burning into her, making her heart race even faster. She clenched her hands, trying to steady her nerves, but the growing tension between them was palpable.
Evan raised an eyebrow, his expression still enigmatic. He reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch soft but deliberate. "You're a terrible liar," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.
The simple gesture sent a shiver down her spine, his touch leaving a trail of electricity on her skin. She swallowed hard, her breath hitching in her throat as she met his gaze. "I'm not... lying," she protested weakly, her voice betraying her uncertainty.
Evan leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a soft purr. "Did you find what you were looking for?" he asked, his gaze flickering to the documents on the desk before returning to her face.
Ella's heart skipped a beat as his words sent a mix of fear and guilt coursing through her. She knew she was caught, but she still tried to maintain her composure. "Wh-what do you mean?" she asked, her voice just a bit too high-pitched.
Evan chuckled softly, his smile holding a hint of mockery. "Oh, you know exactly what I mean," he replied, his gaze locked onto hers. "You've been rifling through my documents, searching for something. What is it that you're so desperate to find?"
Evan tilted his head slightly, his expression hardening. "If you're looking for any evidence regarding your sister's murder, you're wasting your time," he stated bluntly. "There's nothing in those papers that will help you."
Ella's eyes widened, her heart sinking at his words. She knew he was right. She had been foolishly hoping to find something, anything, that could lead to her sister's killer. But now, faced with the cold reality, she felt the weight of disappointment settle heavily on her shoulders.
"You must think I'm foolish," she said softly, her voice low with resignation. "Trying to find answers in places where there's nothing to be found."
Evan's gaze softened slightly, his expression betraying a hint of sympathy. "I don't think you're foolish for wanting answers," he said quietly. "But I do think you're desperate, and that makes you easy to manipulate."
Evan's grip on her arm gentle yet firm as he steered her out of the study room and towards her room. She walked silently beside him, the weight of her disappointment and his words hanging heavily in the air.
As they reached her room, Evan opened the door and guided her inside. He closed the door behind them, sealing the world outside, and turned to face her. The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a single desk lamp, casting shadows across his face.
Ella stood there, her shoulders slumped, her gaze fixated on the ground. The weight of her fruitless search and his warning hung heavily in the air like a thick fog. She felt defeated, vulnerable, and small under his gaze.
Evan studied her for a moment, his expression inscrutable. He felt a strange mix of sympathy and frustration as he watched her deflated figure. He took a step closer, his body just a few inches away from hers.
As he stood close to her, he asked gently, "Have you had dinner yet?" His voice was softer, losing its usual edge.
Ella was taken aback by the unexpected change in Evan's behavior. His voice was soft, lacking its usual sternness, and his gaze held a gentleness she rarely witnessed. She didn't know how to react, her mind still spinning from the search for evidences and his warning. "No," she replied, her voice quiet. "I... I haven't."
Evan nodded, a small nod that acknowledged her answer. He moved closer, bridging the small space between them, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch was light, barely there, but it was enough to send a shiver down her spine. "You should eat something," he said softly.
Ella couldn't help but feel confused by Evan's actions. He was behaving differently than usual, his demeanor softer, his touch gentler. It was like a completely different person was standing before her, and it left her feeling off-balance. "Why are you acting differently?" she blurted out, her voice betraying her bewilderment.
Evan raised an eyebrow, the corner of his lips twitching into a small smirk. "Acting differently, am I?" he replied, his voice still soft. He moved his hand from her shoulder and slowly ran his fingers through her hair, the gesture surprisingly tender.
As soon as she asked about his behavior, Evan's mood shifted abruptly, a devilish smirk playing at the corners of his lips. He leaned in, his face close to hers, the gentleness replaced by a hint of mockery. "Oh, you mean this, huh?" he mocked, his voice taking on its snarky tone.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his mocking tone. "You'll never change, will you?" she said with a hint of annoyance before lightly pushing him away. "You're always so... so...," she stumbled, unable to find the right words to describe his infuriating demeanor.
She sighed deeply, deciding to move on from Evan's usual behavior. "I'm going to get something to eat," she said flatly, steering away from their previous conversation. She walked out of the room, leaving Evan behind, her footsteps carrying her towards the kitchen.