Chapter 123 It's Not Her Place to Dictate
Eric's face went pale in an instant.
He hadn't seen Evelyn's move. By the time he reacted, the knife was already at his throat!
A butterfly knife was notorious and deadly, balancing danger and flair perfectly.
'Evelyn using this on me is both ruthless and heartless!'
"Stop bothering me, Eric."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed, the blade lightly tapping his cheek. "Even if every other man on earth were dead, I still wouldn't choose you."
"If it were just me and Edward left, who would you pick?" Eric asked, his voice shaking.
Evelyn sneered, "Still not you."
Eric, always proud and arrogant, felt his heart shatter.
Just then, the office door opened.
"Evelyn, what's going on?" Landon stood at the door, looking shocked.
Evelyn quickly put away the knife and smiled sweetly. "Landon, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
Eric stiffly straightened up, gave Evelyn one last red-eyed look, and left, utterly dejected.
Landon glanced at him, noticing how Eric's once proud demeanor had crumbled. He couldn't help but frown, both amused and exasperated.
'Only Evelyn could make Eric feel so defeated in all of Mugden.'
"Landon!" Evelyn threw her arms around his neck. "How are you? Are you healed?"
"The bandages are off. I'm fine." Landon lifted Evelyn off the ground, spinning her around. "It's just a flesh wound. I'm not that fragile."
'Considering what Landon used to do, even Charlie would shudder to hear about it.'
No one would believe the leader of the largest underground gang in Valoria, controlling factions in Hameen, Mugden, and nearby countries, was this kind, gentle man. Later, for unknown reasons, Landon suddenly withdrew from his position, distancing himself from the dark forces to cultivate himself. Even Evelyn couldn't understand how a man who never killed, bullied, smoked, or drank became the gang leader. There must be deep secrets behind Landon's gentle smile.
"What happened with you and Eric?" Landon chuckled. "No matter how he treats others, he's sincere with you. Even if you don't give him a chance, you shouldn't have slapped him with a knife. Boys have their pride, especially since he's the future heir of the Clark Group."
"If I didn't, he'd keep pestering me." Evelyn tiredly pinched her brow. "Everyone says men have pride, but Eric has none when it comes to chasing me. If I don't bring out the knife, he'd keep joking around endlessly. Now that I'm back to being Evelyn, I don't want to deal with anyone from Edward's side. I know I went too far, but there's no other way. Better a brief intense pain than prolonged suffering."
"Sometimes I wish Evelyn and Lily could be combined," Landon sighed.
"That's impossible because Lily is already buried."
After some playful banter with Landon, Evelyn felt tired and lay down on his lap.
Landon's lips curved slightly as his long fingers gently massaged her temples.
"Landon, did you come to see me with some new intel?" Evelyn asked, eyes closed.
"Evelyn, you're the smartest."
"Have you figured out a way to deal with the Wellington family?" Evelyn asked lazily.
"If you're tired, I can handle Ms. Adams for you," Landon said with a constant smile, his emotions hard to read.
"No, Nicole must be dealt with by me. If I don't handle her personally, how regretful would her life be?" Evelyn's eyes narrowed, gleaming coldly.
Landon's gentle eyes curved as he handed Evelyn a manila envelope.
"What's this?" Evelyn took it curiously, pulled out the documents, and immediately became more alert.
"The Wellington family snagged the new Starhaven project in Mugden, and Patrick handed it to Tiffany. This project is worth billions, with huge profits and plenty of shady opportunities. It can also expand their network in Mugden. More importantly, Tiffany might use this project to climb higher in the company, becoming a rival to Edward. Though she started as an actress, she's ambitious and, with Patrick's favor, has always aimed to take over the Wellington family."
"Take over the Wellington family? She really thinks she can? Does she have that kind of appetite?"
Evelyn's eyes flashed sharply as she looked at the info in her hand. "The family business Bryon built, even if Edward can't hold it, it's not Tiffany's place to meddle."
"Study the info tonight. At 1 PM the day after tomorrow, at the Wellington family's golf course in the western suburbs of Mugden, Patrick and Tiffany are meeting with Mario Torres and Laura Hall, likely to further the Starhaven collaboration." Landon put his arm around Evelyn's shoulder, looking serious. "I am counting on you to avenge me."
"Come on, you're my brother. Do you think I don't know what you're up to?" Evelyn leaned on Landon's broad shoulder. "You know I can't let things go easily. You figured since I was going to make a move anyway, you might as well help me set everything up so I can enjoy my revenge. It's like entertaining a child at play."
"Evelyn, don't expose me. Let me keep some dignity." Landon pinched her cheek.
"Landon, I'm twenty-four, and I've even been divorced once." Evelyn looked at him seriously. "You and the brothers have sacrificed too much for me. From now on, let me protect you. You should live your lives freely. I'll bear the responsibility of the Taylor family!"
During the day, Nicole, humiliated by Edward, called Tiffany in tears, pouring out her grievances.
"You deserved it!" Tiffany was furious, scolding her harshly. "I told you to endure and stay calm. Edward is angry right now, so you shouldn't contact him. But you didn't listen to me! Now look at this mess. Who can you blame? Crying won't help!"
"But, Evelyn has moved in! Edward brought her back to Riverside Villa!" Nicole cried, her tears and snot mixing. "She's stepping all over me. How can I swallow this?"
"But you must swallow it! I understood Edward's words that day. Why haven't you? If you want to be his woman, you have to be magnanimous. Being so jealous, always crying and making a fuss, all the effort I put into building your image is wasted!" Tiffany's voice turned cold. "Your goal is to become the wife of the Wellington Group's president, not to act out some romantic drama with Edward! As long as you achieve your goal, even if Evelyn pees on your head, it's worth it!"
"But—"
"Enough! I'll handle your situation. Right now, I'm busy getting into the board of directors, so don't bother me."
With that, Tiffany coldly hung up.
Nicole collapsed on the bed, almost crushing the darkened screen in her anger.
Just then, another call came in. It was an unknown number.
Nicole wiped her tears, answering irritably, "Who is it?"
"Ashley, it's been a long time. How are you doing in Mugden?" A voice speaking perfect Mythorica English came through, with Virgil Newman's mocking, greasy laugh.
"Virgil?" Nicole's face turned as pale as paper, and she asked tentatively.
Ashley was the name Nicole used while studying in Mythorica. Since returning to Edward, she had cut off all her messy social circles from Mythorica. She had even stopped using Instagram, changed her email and phone number to completely sever ties with her past as a promiscuous socialite. Nicole never expected Virgil to find her!
"I really miss you. Let's meet up. Will you come to me, or should I come to you, Ashley?"
Virgil's tone was clearly threatening.
Nicole's silk dress was soaked with cold sweat, as if someone was choking her, making it hard to breathe. "Where are you? I'll come to you!"
