Chapter293 Only the Foolhardy Meet Their Demise
Two days later, the 50th-anniversary celebration of Evans Group unfolded as planned at the Harmonious Prosperity Hotel.
Though the Evans family didn't hold a candle to the Garcias in wealth and influence, in the city of River North, aside from the Garcia clan, no other family could measure up to the stature of the Evanses.
The Evans Group was a leading business in River North, and its golden jubilee was nothing short of spectacular, attracting business tycoons and celebrities related to the Evans enterprise in any way.
The Garcias, long-standing friends of the Evans, wouldn't miss the occasion. Raymond and Tyler had been close for decades, and along with Katherine, they were naturally among the expected attendees of the grand celebration.
Such a pivotal event for the Evans Group had drawn magnates from all spheres and a sizable assembly of journalists.
By six in the evening, hundreds of media personnel had gathered at the hotel's entrance, cameras ready. Their anticipation rivaled that of television and movie award ceremonies.
The press was hungry for a juicy story about this congregation of business moguls and influential figures, and no reporter wanted to miss out.
As the heir and the current CEO of Evans Group, Liam was the center of attention that evening.
When Faith, the heiress of the renowned glass industry from W city, stepped out of the car with Liam, arm in arm, the atmosphere hit a peak.
The reporters' cameras zeroed in on them, snapping photos frantically.
Even from several feet away, unable to get close, the journalists stretched their microphones toward the pair, bombarding them with questions.
Among the most prevalent inquiries were whether there was a marriage alliance between Evans and Faith's prominent family and whether the couple was nearing a happy announcement.
Liam had planned to announce his engagement to Faith that very night. The union set to merge two influential families—a spectacle that had the media buzzing with questions. So, when pressed, he and Faith gracefully acknowledged their forthcoming nuptials.
Huddled on her couch in the Willow Heights villa, Tessa watched the two of them, a picture-perfect couple, on the live broadcast from River North's financial channel. She held herself tight, her eyes gradually reddening.
Her parents were incarcerated, with a trial looming and a sentence of at least seven to eight years expected.
She had thought Liam would be her pillar.
But unexpectedly, Liam had moved on so quickly, leaving her adrift again.
If Liam was genuinely going to marry Faith and ignore her from then on, what would she do? Should she cling to him or just take his money and disappear from his life, as he had instructed?
In truth, five million dollars was ample—enough to cover her grandparent’s needs and her college tuition and living expenses for years to come. She could do so much more with that money.
Yet the thought of walking away was hard to bear. She couldn't let go and was far from content to do so.
Buzz—Buzz—Buzz—
Her phone vibrated abruptly on the coffee table.
She glanced at the unfamiliar number but had a hunch about who it might be. With a brief pause, she picked up the phone and answered the call.
"Tessa, how does it feel seeing Liam with another woman, openly at his side, soon to be married to her? Are you heartbroken, upset, angry, filled with hate?" The woman's voice was cold and mocking.
It was Yvonne.
A chill ran down Tessa's spine, a coldness that seemed to penetrate from the soles of her feet to the crown of her head.
"What do you want me to do, Vanessa?" Tessa asked, her voice quivering with both the cold and a sense of savvy.
On the other end, Yvonne let out a scornful laugh. "What's this, Tessa, giving up just like that? You don't care for Liam anymore?"
"No, I have not lost interest in Liam. I like him—a lot," Tessa said, shaking her head as tears streamed down her face. "But he doesn't want me anymore. I can't do anything about it."
"Who says you can't do anything?" Yvonne's voice had a mocking edge to it. "Come on, child, haven't you heard? A woman cries, causes a scene, and threats at her disposal. Liam's a soft-hearted man. If you cry and make a fuss before him, he'll surely change his mind and won't abandon you."
"No, I can't do that," Tessa declared without hesitation. "I don't want Liam to hate me. Even if I'm not by his side anymore, I won't let him despise me, hate me."
"So, you're just going to hand Liam over to someone else like that?" Yvonne's icy voice crackled through the phone, tinged with anger.
"It's not like that. Faith comes from a wealthy family she's a better fit for Liam. It's only natural for him to choose her over me." Tessa's voice was sad yet lucid.
"Tessa, is that all you got?" Yvonne's fury was barely contained on the other end, "I am Liam's mother, and if I say you’re the right one, you are. You have to listen to me. Whatever it takes, whatever method you need to use, you must win Liam back and keep him close to you."
Hearing Yvonne's growl through the phone made Tessa tremble, but she said, "Vanessa, I can't."
"Tessa, if you don't think about yourself, can you at least consider your parents? Huh?"
