Date

Knoxville POV

The thing I regretted most was letting Electra walk out of my life so easily. I had searched the entire country after she left that night, but there were no traces of her. I regretted what I said to her that night, and I wished she could forgive me and give me a listening ear.

My door burst open, and I raised my head to see the most infuriating creature standing right in front of me. "Did I hear you say you're going for the project supervising?" Maxwell, my nonchalant stepbrother, asked with a smirk.

"When did you start getting yourself involved in my business?" I demanded, my tone firm.

Maxwell scoffed, his expression mocking. "Are you crazy? Did you think you own the business?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I smiled, staring at how foolish he could be. His lack of awareness was almost laughable. "I don't own the business, but I'm certainly more capable of running it than you," I said, my eyes locked on his.

"And for how long am I going to have to explain myself to you? You're no match for me," I demanded, my eyes locked on his with a fierce intensity.

Maxwell's face twisted in annoyance. "The fact that you always think you're superior to me is what annoys me the most," he spat, his voice venomous.

I smirked, my expression dripping with confidence. "Am I not?" I demanded, my tone daring him to disagree.

Maxwell's fists clenched together, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at me. "Can you get out of here now? You've overstayed your welcome," I said, my tone cold and dismissive.

"We'll see who's superior very soon," Maxwell snarled before storming out of the room.

I let out a disgusted sigh. "Such a scumbag," I muttered, as I picked up my phone. "Any schedule for the day?" I asked my PA immediately he picked up.

"Dinner with your dad," he replied.

I frowned, my brow furrowed in irritation. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? How can that be the only schedule for today?" I demanded, my tone sharp with annoyance.

"That's the instruction given to me by the chairman," my PA explained. "He said I should only organize a dinner for today, because if you have another schedule, you might use it as an excuse."

I called out angrily, "Henry!"

"Sir," he answered, his voice cautious.

"How many times have I told you that my father shouldn't plan my schedule without telling me beforehand?" I demanded, my frustration boiling over.

"I'm sorry, sir, but you know I'm paralyzed in this situation," Henry replied, his tone apologetic.

I angrily hung up the call, my mind racing with irritation. "Gosh! This man is going to make my life a living hell until I find a wife," I muttered to myself, shaking my head in exasperation.

My father's constant meddling in my life was suffocating me. I needed to find a way to take control of my own schedule, and my own life, before it was too late.

I had to find Electra, no matter what it took. I needed to apologize and make amends, promising to treat her right this time.

I headed to the restaurant where my father had said we would meet for dinner. But as I stepped inside, I was shocked to see a lady sitting there instead of my father. My anger flared, and I stormed out of the VIP.

"Henry, what's going on?" I demanded, my voice firm and commanding. Henry couldn't meet my gaze, his eyes cast downward in guilt.

"I'm asking you a question," I continued, my tone rising. "You told me I was having dinner with Father. So, why is there a lady in that place instead?" I demanded, my words laced with frustration and confusion.

Henry's silence only fueled my anger, and I could feel my heart racing with anticipation. What was going on? And who was that lady? I needed answers, and I needed them now.

"I'm sorry, your dad said I shouldn't say anything to you about it," Henry replied, his voice laced with apology. But I was having none of it. I couldn't believe my ears. How could my father do this to me?

"I can't do this, let's go," I ordered, turning to leave. But Henry stopped right in front of me, his eyes pleading.

"You know you can't leave," he said, his voice firm. "You know how the chairman can be." He was right. My father was not a man to be trifled with.

I chuckled wryly and picked up my phone to dial my father's number. "Dad, what's all this about? Didn't I ask you to give me a month?" I asked angrily.

But my father was unmoved. "You keep asking for a month every time. You must go on that date with her. She's a smart girl, she's achieved many things. She would be a perfect match for you," he said, his voice firm.

And with that, he hung up before I could say anything else. I let out a frustrated sigh. "Gosh, this is crazy!" I exclaimed, feeling trapped and helpless.

I walked back into the VIP area to meet the lady, but she seemed completely unbothered by my return. Her attention remained fixed on her phone, her fingers typing away with a speed and accuracy that suggested she was either very important or very addicted.

I wondered if she was trying to give me attitude, but I didn't care. Without saying a word, I sat down in the chair facing her, my eyes fixed on hers. She finally looked up, her gaze meeting mine with a hint of annoyance.

"Since you're here, I think we can talk now," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she dropped her phone onto the table.

I scoffed, pretending I hadn't heard her, my expression dismissive.

"Hey! If you're not going to say anything, why don't we just call this off?" she said, her voice rising. "I have a lot of schedules for tomorrow, and I was only here because my parents forced me to. Can you please act maturely?"

I couldn't believe she had the audacity to say that to me. Who did she think she was, talking to me like I was some kind of child? My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with a response that would put her in her place.

"I don't want to be here. I'm calling this off, we're not a perfect match," I said, standing up to leave.

"Before you go, just know my name, so it wouldn't seem like we didn't even bother with introductions and raise suspicions," she said, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.

I ignored her and turned to leave, but she continued anyway.

"I'm Lisa Smith, the only daughter of my family. They think I'm a workaholic and want me to settle down," she said, standing up to gather her belongings.

"That's enough for you to tell your father, so he'll believe we had at least some discussion. Going on dates is so annoying," she added, before walking out of the VIP area with a confident stride.

Henry stepped inside, a look of curiosity on his face. "Is the date over?" he demanded, his voice firm but laced with a hint of amusement.

I turned to him, a wry smile spreading across my face. "What does it look like?" I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

Without waiting for a response, I walked out of the VIP area, leaving Henry and the awkwardness behind. The cool night air hit me like a slap in the face, a welcome respite from the tension I'd just left behind. I couldn't help but wonder what my father would say when he found out the date had ended in disaster. Again.