Evelyn's Pov.The ground shook under my feet. What would I do now, knowing this deteriorating reality?. My eyes were misty as I stumbled out of the house, I needed an escape out of the enclosed space of the mansion. I felt like an animal stylishly led to slaughter.I was more than just a means to settle my father's debt, to Adrian I was simply an object of indignation, it was obvious he planned to make me suffer for the rest of my life until I became worthless.Imagine going through the trauma of marrying a stranger under the pretext of settling my father's debt, when I was just a tool in his revenge plan.I needed to prove to him that I don't deserve to inherit my father's sins, and to permanently banish those brief moments of illusioned affection he showed me.I felt disassociated from my surroundings and for once the mauvy pink by the lawn did nothing to calm me. I stood at the edge the manicured lawn, my mind replayed the discovery of those files and journal, a carefully crafted
Evelyn's Pov.I glanced at Micheal furtively, I don't know why but I trusted the easy smile on his face as he nodded at me.I picked the first paperwork, pretending like I didn't just see Victoria's name highlighted on it. Scanning the paper, I smiled choosing to speak from my head first before dropping the bomb."My husband has been doing a great job of sniffing out leeches and traitors for years now, it's essential for the growth of this massive empire, hence according to a little research I did after working here for just two days, I've been able catch a leech as well", I remarked watching as Adrian eyes perked up leaning into his seat to watch me."That's ridiculous, Evelyn. You worked for only two days and now you think it's that easy, don't be delusional. I ----”, Victoria stopped talking as Adrian holds his hand up to silence her." Moving on, the first person here is responsible for squandering profits for a clothing line funded by Adrian. And also manipulating data hide the h
Evelyn's Pov.As I opened the door to Adrian's office, watching as his gazed at the bustling view of the city, instead of seeing a mean and controlling man , I saw a weakness, one he hid perfectly away from everyone. He stepped away from the view, moving towards his table before leaning on it, watching me with a look that reflected the acknowledgment shining through his dark eyes. "I saw what you did back there", He said."As much as your actions are commendable, I need to know what Michael had to with it", He asked. His eyes burned with hatred at the mention of his brother's name.I have come to notice the look of resentment that always fills his face whenever he talks about Michael and my father, and even me sometimes, almost as if he saw my father's reflection through my eyes."Why should that matter?", I asked covering the distance between us as I leaned into his table as well.His gaze lingered on my face for a moment causing warmth to spread through me but I wasn't ready to fa
Evelyn's Pov. "Alright then, Adrian. Go on with your plans to ruin me. Let's see how long evil can compete with good ", I delivered impenitently.He grinned with mockery in his eyes, " I have a feeling I would enjoy this"."What if I decide to divorce you?", I asked. I was desperate to break away from his toxicity."Not possible, have you forgotten you're father sold you off like an object to settle his debts. Debts I'm going to make sure ruins him until he becomes irrelevant ", He barked obviously put off my question."Of course you would, what else should I expect from a sadist like you", I said." I don't like your tone, Evelyn ", he huffed."You don't hear me complaining about yours ", I replied."You might think you would derive satisfaction from destroying me, but it would never erase the bitterness and emptiness inside you, this is not the right way to overcome grief", I continued hardening my voice.For a fraction of a second his steely expression faltered, but he masked it q
Adrian's Pov.I can't explain how my anger quickly transformed into something indescribable, Evelyn looked ethereal and her cheeks reddened as she leveled her gaze at me. She was obviously seething but somehow it added a certain natural radiance to her, that made it almost too unbearable to gaze at her.Her eyes were lustrous and charged with desire. I took an indrawn breath taking in her luscious fruity perfume, her golden iris flashing like coins in sunlight.She was still wearing the outfit she wore to my office today, it's strange I never noticed how the bodice was so low cut until now. It revealed her twin globes with a softness that dazzled me.I reached out for her, but she snapped me out of my disillusioned thoughts as she moved away with a fast swerve, creating a reasonable distance between us.I watched her chest rise and fall as she trembled dropping her gaze from me."What am I doing?. What is wrong with me?", I thought taking a step back as well.Her unpinned hair hung d
Evelyn's Pov.I spent the night in my room restless, fighting off the triggering pleasure Adrian had managed to rouse in me. I was unable to sleep, as I kept rolling from one side of the bed to the other.What is really wrong with this man and his contradicting actions, one minute it looked like he was consumed with anger and the next his dark eyes are suddenly clouded with enmeshed evocating emotions.Joe came by as soon as trickles of morning light filtered into my room."Mr Blackwood said you need to be at the office today", He rushed out. He didn't bother to wait for my response before hurrying away.I raised my brows confused by his actions but got prepared anyway.By the time I walked into Adrian's office, I took note of the way the air shifted. Any trace of palpable tension that hung between us yesterday had dissipated into something different, something suffocating.His fingers drummed absently against the polished wood of his table, he wasn't looking at me yet and I took my t
Evelyn's Pov."A lot of people would want to meet and speak to you today, try to blend". Adrian's said gently. In the confines of his luxurious car, the air was heady.I nodded setting my face in a neutral line. The dress I was wearing itched uncomfortably and I focused on my phone, scrolling through feeds on Instagram. I felt behind, preoccupied with challenges beyond my capacity.If only Adrian gave me a benefit of doubt, a chance to prove myself.We were on our way to the charity event, he was calmer now, keeping to himself, and those were the first words he uttered since we left the house.I thought heavily about Victoria and what she said to me before the elevator doors closed. I marvelled at her guts, the audacity caused by Adrian's leniency. Michael had managed to dig out incriminating information about her before placing them in my hands. Now that I think about it, it was because he knew Adrian wouldn't take him serious, but of course Adrian distrusted me as well.I heard him
Evelyn's Pov.I slept in Adrian's room after we got back from the charity event, he left immediately he changed out of his tuxedo, leaving me alone. But I tried not to be bothered about that, he was obviously building up a wall again. I would search for clues to enable me to grasp the real concept his the tragedy he faced in the past.Mrs Greene and Michael are the ones I know would have all the information I need. I couldn't stop myself from wanting to know more about Adrian.I opened the curtains, in the morning, watching his car zoomed off. I had the urge to search his room for anything that could be linked to his past. But I had an inkling Adrian's was too smart.When he asked me to move into his room, I'm sure he took preventive measures and probably have cameras installed in his room to monitor me. I shivered, walking away from the curtains.I picked something casual to wear, and jogged downstairs hoping to see Mrs Greene .I spotted her moving around the kitchen, focused on th
Evelyn's Pov.I couldn't go with Adrian to the office, as I was swarmed with more informations to unearth and other syndicates to expose.I was backing off from Victoria's case for now, since he said he had it under his control. My fingers halted on the keys I was about to press as I recollected the look Adrian gave me yesterday at his office.The desire in his eyes, I wondered what was running through his mind, I have never been claustrophobic but in that moment it felt like the walls were closing in on me.But as always he controlled himself, before leaving for another meeting.I joggled my head focusing on the task I should be doing, Adrian probably wasn't even thinking about me.After hours of scouring the internet, I stumbled upon a publication that was aired yesterday. It was meant to be top secret but with the help of Adrian's strong web developers, I am able to have access to some informations on the dark web.It was about a meeting with lots of loaded men and women in attenda
Evelyn's Pov.Michael stood up, " Are you even listening to yourself. If you claim you were scammed why isn't there any report to confirm, Victoria. You're the real conniving bitch here", He bellowed.The air was harsh against my skin, the scent of expensive perfumes mingling with the tension filling the air, it all felt conflicting."That's enough. Evans please escort her out of here and ensure to inform the security never to let her in again", Adrian said.My shoulders bunched in annoyance at the words coming out of Adrian's mouth."Adrian you are making a big mistake by letting her go again", Michael warned." Just take her away", He gestured towards Victoria. He ignored Michael's warning and I felt livid. What kind of mistake was he letting himself make again?.I wanted to speak to him, to change his mind, but I stopped once I saw the deadset look in his eyes.What was the essence of digging up a crime just to let the person go so easily. I felt enraged as I recollected Victoria'
Evelyn's Pov." You're going to give a detailed analysis of the financial records of the boutique you're heading", he ordered.Victoria tenses whipping her head to look at Adrian as her mouth parted in shock." Analysis?", She questioned. Her perfectly arched brows wrinkled as she blinked in disbelief. Everybody watched her, the silence in the room almost deafening." Yes. You know very well that reports like that come up once in a while. Besides I haven't asked for a report from you for the past four years ", he said. " You should have told me before, I didn't prepare anything", She drawled passing warning glare at anyone who dared to look at her. I looked at Adrian, observing his cool and collected poise. I still didn't understand what he planned to do to her." Doesn't matter", He shrugged. " Pick up your system and do a quick rundown of the financial records, that's all. Stop stalling "."Adrian ", She whispered fluttering her fake lashes at him. " Can we talk outside quickly?".
Evelyn's Pov."You're a coward".My words stopped him in his tracks and I inhaled sharply." What did you just say?", His nostrils flared."Let me help you", I repeated." Stop running", I added.I could see the conflict in his eyes, his silent battle with trust."I'm not doing this with you", he turned back to the door."Let me help you, Adrian. I'm not going to stop trying", I said.He halted and I closed the distance between us resting my hand on his shoulder, he spun around and I shrieked as he slammed his lips on mine. Keeping me locked in a kiss filled with so much uninhibited passion, I felt like I would pass out.My hands pressed against his firm chest, but I couldn't push him off, not when his tongue sent a feverish sensation down my spine. He suddenly stopped kissing me and cradled my face looking me dead in the eye." You keep messing with my mind that I'm resulting to drinking to keep myself sane but it only makes it worse", he said inhaling deeply. I watched him unable
Evelyn's Pov." Come with me, you're going to regret scheming with Michael again ", he huffed holding my wrist firmly dragging me as he walked to his room."What's going on?", I asked."You keep finding ways to make me livid", he barked." At least you can tell me what I did this time", I said."What happened to the phone I gave you, and don't even try to lie to me, Evelyn", He raised his voice making me tremble I fear. How did he know about that?. I felt terrified beyond words, Michael had promised Adrian's hackers wouldn't be able to trace the encrypted software.Mrs Greene appeared at the bottom of the stairs gazing worriedly at us. We were still at the entrance of his room and his grip was becoming increasingly painful."What's wrong?", She asked.Adrian groaned looking even more angry than before, " I'm talking to my wife, Mrs Greene. Go back to the kitchen ", He bellowed." Adrian?", I blinked shocked by his rude tone." Get in the room now ", He shouted. I blinked back my tea
Evelyn's Pov." Adrian still needs something concrete to pin down Richard Carter and expose his hidden agenda, that's what I've placed in your hands", he divulged." Okay", I whispered. I felt like the weight on my shoulders had doubled." Adrian has strong hackers available to trace any suspicious device within the premises. So I've provided encrypted softwares to conceal every information you gather until you're ready to show him", he relayed." Thank you Michael. It's all just so overwhelming, but I really appreciate your help ", I said. The pressure was too much, but my determination kept me headstrong." Don't mention it, Evelyn. I'll call you back later", He said before ending the call.I would finally be able to uncover the truth about my father's dealing to ensure my family was safe. My family, funny how I was beginning to see Adrian as family despite our complicated relationship.I opened the laptop smiling at the sticky note on the keypad, that revealed a password that happe
Evelyn's Pov.I stood at the garden watching as the gardener snipped off excess growth on the Bougainvillea shrubs. The tempered wind blew the trees fiercely, the gardener worked regardless.I watched him distracted by my own thoughts, I felt more like the wind right now.I felt my phone vibrating in the pocket of my short, I moved to a shade after seeing Michael's name on the screen."Hello"."I saw your message, I was busy with work", he explained." I really needed someone to share my thoughts with. Adrian doesn't listen to me. And I don't want to burden Mrs Greene with these heartbreaking news about my father", I told him."What's wrong?", He asked.The wind was a bit still now but the clouds were dark and heavy with rain." Would you believe if I said he didn't even deny it when I brought up the things he did he did to your family."" Honestly, I believe you. He is twisted in the head. Sometimes, whenever I think about, I feel like he deserves whatever Adrian has planned for him.
Evelyn's Pov.I shrugged, " I don't know. You asked me to stay in your room for a reason, and I won't leave until I have a valid reason to".He turned his head to the left observing me with caution."Do I have something on my face?", I said feeling self-conscious." No", he said looking away from me to focus on the plate of chicken à la king. The savoury smell waters my mouth."I got a call from your father, he said he wants to see you", he stated.I dropped my cultery squinting at him, "Why?", I probed." How am I supposed to know?. I wondered why he didn't speak to you directly ", he responded." I blacklisted him, Adrian. I was tired of his repeated threatening messages ", I clarified.He widened his eyes, " He is still your father, you know", he said." He treated me like an outcast, now that I know what the gravity of the evil he caused your family. I don't know who he is anymore", I confessed.I had kept my gaze on the wine in my cup, swirling the glass as I spoke but I looked u
Evelyn's Pov."I understand you might be feeling abashed", Joe cleared the thick tension in the car.I sat at the backseat, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. Stream of colours blurred the lights of the passing city as I stared out the window. Whirls of thoughts filled my mind about Adrian, I was livid but I tried to shove it aside. I had to ignore the nosy looks of people at the restaurant as I walked out with Joe, leaving Michael behind. I felt like a child caught doing something bad.And another major concern was Michael's clear explanation about the whole issue.There were so many pieces in this puzzle I was trying to figure out, so I couldn't afford to lose my composure."I understand you were only doing your job, Joe", I said. His expression was guarded, when he had walked up to me at the restaurant to relay Adrian's order to bring me back home. He looked reluctant, it was clear he was still on the edge of being caught in the crossfire between Adrian and I.As we got to t