Chapter 192 He Wants Her to Win
Edward left Patrick's office and headed back to his own.
"Edward! How'd it go? Mr. Wellington didn't give you a hard time, did he?" Bart asked, looking worried as he handed Edward a cup of coffee.
Edward sat down on the sofa, took a sip, and said, "No, he didn't."
Bart sighed in relief.
"I'd be surprised if that were true!" Edward added.
Bart's eyes widened. "I knew it! As a father, he really doesn't act like one!"
"Sometimes I wish he wasn't my father and I wasn't his son," Edward said, swallowing the bitter coffee. "But half my blood is his."
Bart sighed, unsure of what to say.
"Patrick handed Ada's wedding project to Debra," Edward continued.
"What?" Bart was shocked. "That was your idea to restore the Wellington Group's reputation! You've led the team through countless meetings. Now he just hands it over to someone else? This has to be Tiffany's doing!"
"Not just that. If Debra succeeds, she'll get the hotel's management too," Edward said coldly.
Bart gasped. "Didn't you fight for it? Are you just going to let Debra take your project?"
"Is it necessary? Patrick always wanted to divide my power," Edward said calmly. "Debra just gave him a reason."
"So we're just going to sit here and do nothing?" Bart asked, frustrated.
Edward sipped his coffee in silence.
"Edward, I'm mad at Mrs. Wellington!" Bart said, frowning.
"The Mrs. Wellington you usually idolize? What's wrong with her?" Edward teased.
"Feelings are feelings, business is business. I think she's taking revenge on you," Bart said, genuinely angry.
"I understand her. I did hurt her back then," Edward admitted, feeling a pang of regret.
"But this could jeopardize your position in the group!" Bart said, almost in tears. "Mrs. Wellington has so much support, and Mr. Taylor loves her. She doesn't understand your struggles. You're already isolated in the Wellington Group. If she keeps using her influence against you, she'll drag you down!"
"Don't worry, I'm not that easy to bring down," Edward said with a faint smile. "If I were, I wouldn't deserve her affection or to have been her husband. I have a plan."
"Really? What is it?" Bart asked.
Edward closed his eyes, a subtle smile on his lips. "Let Evelyn win completely."
Bart was stunned but quickly understood. 'If we can't win, then go down together!'
"This time, I won't let anyone or anything stand in her way," Edward said.
Edward planned to have a meeting with high-level executives that evening but canceled it. He drove alone to KS WORLD.
As he stepped into the hotel lobby, memories flooded back. He remembered the first time he visited Evelyn. She made him climb the stairs and sent a stand-in to deal with him, leaving him utterly defeated.
No woman had ever made him feel so frustrated, not even Nicole, who used and betrayed him. With Nicole, He only felt anger.'
Looking at the newly renovated hotel lobby, which was even more orderly than the Wellington Group, Edward forced a bitter smile.
Back then, Evelyn seemed naive and submissive when she married him. He never looked down on her for coming from the country, but he felt she was too far removed from him world. Now, he realized it was him who was far from her world. No matter how hard he tried, he could never catch up. During those three years of marriage, when Evelyn put aside her pride to stay by his side, that was the closest he ever got to her. The unattainable one was never him.
Just then, William was instructing two hotel executives. When he turned around, he saw Edward standing in the lobby.
He was momentarily stunned, then his expression darkened.
"That's it, go ahead and get to work."
"Yes, William."
After the executives left, William, with a frosty expression, strode over to Edward.
"Edward, the restaurant is on the left, the bar is on the right, and the café is on the third floor. If you want a room, go to the front desk."
"I want to see Evelyn," Edward said bluntly, showing no emotion as he casually glanced around.
"Evelyn isn't someone you can just see whenever you want," William sneered, his eyes filled with hostility.
'If this weren't a hotel where I have to maintain decorum, I'd throw him out already!' William thought.
"Say whatever you want. But today, I must see Evelyn."
Edward found himself increasingly thick-skinned. In the past, he would've left after such humiliation, but this time, he was staying. Being scolded wouldn't hurt, but if he didn't see Evelyn, he probably wouldn't sleep well tonight.
"Edward, Evelyn doesn't want to see you. Your presence would ruin her entire day."
William glared at Edward, his teeth clenched, and coldly ordered him to leave. "If you know what's good for you, get out. As long as I'm here, you won't see Evelyn."
"Fine, but I want Evelyn to come and tell me herself."
Edward's eyes were as cold as a deep pool, showing no sign of backing down. "You aren't Evelyn."
"Edward! Are you deliberately causing trouble?!"
William's face turned red with anger, and he was about to argue when a clear, laughing voice came from behind, piercing Edward's back like a thorn.
"William, is Evelyn still busy?"
Edward turned coldly, seeing the impeccably dressed, elegant Gilbert walking over leisurely.
Edward and Gilbert stood side by side in front of William. Although they didn't look at each other, treating the other as if they were invisible, William could still sense the tension in the air.
William cursed inwardly, 'Gilbert is equally troublesome!'
"Gilbert, in public places, especially in a hotel managed by Evelyn, you should address her as Ms. Taylor." William's tone was icy, showing no more warmth to Gilbert than to Edward.
Edward silently curled his lips, finding William more agreeable at this moment than before.
"Fine, is Ms. Taylor still busy? When will she be done tonight?"
Gilbert's expression remained unchanged, showing his ability to adapt. "I want to invite her to dinner to thank her for getting Christian's signed record for my mother."
"She won't be done." William's words were directed at both Gilbert and Edward.
"I can wait."
Edward and Gilbert spoke in unison, surprisingly in sync!
They then glanced at each other, turning away in mutual disgust.
"No need to wait. Even if you camp out here tonight, Evelyn won't see you."
As soon as William finished speaking, Evelyn's stern yet melodious voice came through his Bluetooth earpiece,
"William, what's going on in the lobby?"
