Chapter 50 Leave Love While You Can

Jason had always known that his son had no interest in the Chevalier Group, but hearing Étienne say it like this still shocked him. "What do you want?"

"I want sufficient funds, of course, the Chevalier Group can easily provide that for me. Don't worry, I won't be too greedy," Étienne put down his coffee, picked up a napkin, and wiped the corners of his mouth. "For you, it's simple and convenient."

"Why?" Jason still couldn't understand. Could his own son hate him to this extent? Even if he knew the answer, he was unwilling to believe it.

"I want to go independent. In fact, this is your best choice. I don't want the Chevalier Group, no longer dependent on the Chevalier family. I acknowledge you as my parents, so please separate me from this family in the most dignified way. It's your only choice now, what do you think? I don't need to say more," Étienne said with a calm expression.

Jason felt pained. Ever since he brought Étienne back from the United States, he had been dealing with countless pressures. This was a difficult decision. If he continued to let Étienne stay here, he would not only face criticism from others, but also the constant reminder of their painful past.

The Chevalier Group delivered it to him, which Sidney would not agree to. This was indeed the best choice.

"Have you thought it through properly?" Jason frowned.

"The important thing is that you have thought it through. I feel fine physically, so please give me an answer as soon as possible." Étienne said. Indirectly, he was saying that he didn't want to stay here for another moment.

Jason looked at him, with too many emotions tangled together in his heart, like an unsolvable ball of yarn that only became more chaotic the more he tried to unravel it. "Are you still blaming me for what happened back then?"

Étienne turned his head and remained silent. There was really nothing more to say.

"I understand." Jason stood up. "The funds will be prepared for you. What else do you want to take with you?"

"As long as Leo comes with me, that's all." Étienne said.

"Alright. What about this girl?" Jason asked.

"She is free, not yours or mine. Don't make things difficult for her anymore. The past is in the past, and she didn't ruin me in the end either." Étienne said.

Jason nodded and left, and Sophie, who was standing outside the door, happened to hear the last sentence. Her submissive appearance with lowered brows infuriated Jason, but he still waved for her to follow.

"Although I dislike you very much, after all, you are also involved. If it were someone else, I wouldn't have the extra experience. I only have one thing to say: follow Étienne." Jason looked at her coldly.

These words were like sharp knives, piercing deep into Sophie's heart. How terrifying was this father? However, even so, she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

Étienne pushed the door open directly, grabbed Sophie's hand, and turned to look at Jason. There was not a trace of emotion in his eyes, and that strangeness truly sent chills down Jason's spine. Étienne said, "After all these years, your methods of threatening people haven't improved at all."

Étienne pulled Sophie out of the study. At this moment, as she stared at his clearly defined knuckles, she felt a true sense of relief. Étienne still let go of her hand, looking at her with no change at all over the years, still that submissive and obedient appearance.

Back then, she was most afraid of being looked at like this by him. And now, looking at her, he truly felt nothing. Indeed, heartless people, even if they forget in the end, are still without warning.

Étienne felt at ease all of a sudden, convinced that he could forget Evelyn in the same way. It was that simple.

"Will you go back to the United States?" Sophie looked at Étienne. It was a place she hadn't had the courage to return to for many years, filled with too many memories and regrets.

"Yes, so let's part ways here." Étienne nodded.

"I no longer have any family. I don't know where I can go. Can I go with you to the United States?" These words were difficult for Sophie to say, but they finally came out of her mouth.

Étienne began to fear rejection. He couldn't bear to see Sophie in her current state, even though he couldn't entirely blame himself for it. These difficult six years were beyond any compensation he could offer. Bringing her back now wouldn't be such a bad idea, after all.

What a selfish person he was, he cursed himself inwardly. "But I want you to understand, we can't go back to the past." His cruel words were direct, but they brought relief to both of them.

Sophie looked at Étienne, hoping to see even the slightest hint of nostalgia in his eyes, but there was none. Nevertheless, she willingly nodded and said, "I understand."

On the day Étienne took Leo and Sophie back to the United States, Odile came to the airport to bid farewell. "Will I never see you again?" she asked.

Étienne smiled, the first one he had shown in days. Odile looked at his smiling face, finding it contradictory. He appeared strong-willed but always had such a pure smile. It would be genuinely pure if one could ignore the sadness and weariness in his eyes.

"We'll have opportunities in the future. Take good care of yourself," Étienne said with a smile.

His words brought tears to Odile's eyes. Étienne approached her and gave her a hug. "It's not that far away. Don't worry, I'll definitely come for your wedding, because you are mine..." he started to say, but Odile stopped him. Sometimes, self-deception could easily bring oneself a little happiness. "Don't say it, please," she pleaded.

Étienne continued to smile at her, so open and honest, leaving her with nothing else to say.

"I understand, I'm your sister. All right, are you satisfied? Go, I'll find you when I have free time," Odile said, pretending to be relaxed, earning a gentle pat on her head from Étienne.

As Étienne stepped off the plane, he really wanted to say, "I'm back." He was no longer William; he was Étienne.

Leo followed beside him, and Étienne asked, "How is the film company you've been managing doing?"

Leo quickly reported to Étienne, "WE Company? It's doing well now; you don't need to worry. We can provide reliable funding for the game company's plans."

However, Étienne said, "I'll personally take over. As for the game company, have you been in contact with Benny?"

Leo had long anticipated that the film company would eventually end up in Étienne's hands, so he didn't say much. He still couldn't overcome that hurdle. "I have contacted him, but he said he wants you to meet him in person," Leo replied.

"Okay, I understand," Étienne said, then turned to Sophie. "You can follow Leo. When he's busy, help him out. You can decide your own path."

Sophie knew well enough that he would easily separate himself from her. Although she had long prepared herself for it, she couldn't fight the sadness she felt as he spoke.

Leo looked at her, feeling somewhat reluctant. He still had some feelings for Étienne, but he knew it was time to let go.

Étienne said, "I have nothing much to do, but WE Company is looking for an assistant. You should take her along. Besides, it will surely be beneficial for what you have to do next." After saying that, she swiftly disappeared, pushing her luggage.

Etienne felt helpless and didn't think much about it. Sophie was finally happy.

Evelyn was already filming in the group at this time.

In the end, she chose the script for a modern play, a short story about a girl pursuing a guy. The male lead is a doctor, while the female lead is a pastry chef who loves making cakes. The story is heartwarming with little suspense, and the two end up together, fond of each other.

When Antonio heard her decision, he was surprised. "Why did you decide so quickly? I don't understand. Why choose such a shallow play?"

"It's heartwarming, and I want to give it a try," Evelyn said as she looked at the script. "How long will it take to film this kind of play?"

"It will take two months to finish shooting, and then there will be post-production. Are you really sure about this?" Antonio confirmed once again.

Evelyn nodded. "Yes, there's nothing to hesitate about."

In fact, Evelyn thought about it and just wanted to keep herself busy without taking on too heavy and demanding of a job. This kind of play was just right.

When Adrian called her, Evelyn had just finished her day's work. On her way back to the office, she couldn't help but ask Antonio, "What kind of urgent meeting is happening at this time? I feel uneasy and have a sense of unknown emotions. In any case, I have a bad feeling. But what has to happen will happen."

Antonio shook his head and said he didn't know. When they arrived at the company, Evelyn went directly to the meeting room, where Adrian was already waiting. Just as Evelyn sat down, Adrian told her straightforwardly, "I am the vice president, and you are aware of that."

"Just get straight to the point!" Evelyn lifted her coffee cup.

"The president of Silver Media, the actual owner, is coming to take over the company."

"Just for this, you urgently called me here?" Evelyn didn't understand.

Adrian felt somewhat helpless. "Of course not. What's more important is that our boss is the owner of WE Company, so we have to take back Silver Media."

Evelyn understood somewhat and nodded. "What about our stocks?"

"They'll be cashed out at the lowest price." Adrian looked at Evelyn, carefully observing her expression. Surprisingly, she showed no surprise, but rather as if she had expected it. "Why aren't you reacting?"

"Because I've been set up, that's why I know," Evelyn replied, of course, she knew.

Adrian and Antonio looked at each other, speechless.

After that illness, Evelyn seemed like a changed person. Everything was lukewarm, and her overall demeanor had softened. However, her aura of keeping others at a distance had become even stronger than before.

Afterward, Evelyn spent her days in the film crew, previously...

There would be some other tasks, but now, all of a sudden, they have all disappeared. It seems that someone has made it clear that they want her to disappear from the public eye. What breaks the tranquility is that Evelyn's period, which she has been waiting for a long time, hasn't arrived. So now she is really scared. What if she is really pregnant? That is the thing she is most afraid of.

She squeezed some time in to go to the hospital for a check-up. When the results came out, Evelyn felt as if thunder had struck her. It seems that whatever she fears comes true!

In less than a month, Evelyn knew for sure it was because of her impulsive trip to France.

Evelyn stood dejectedly on the street corner, people bustling about on the street while she remained there, feeling desperate for the first time. She touched her belly, is there a little life inside? When she finally accepted this fact, she still felt like she was in a dream, it must be a nightmare.

When the word 'nightmare' popped into her mind, she felt terrible. Clearly, it is an innocent life, so how could she curse it even before it's born?