Evelyn Clayton spoke her last words and got up to leave.
Just as she reached the door, Charlotte Sterling suddenly spoke up from behind.
"Iris Lockwood..." Charlotte’s voice was frail, "Where is she really?"
Evelyn hesitated slightly, but didn’t turn back, and said plainly, "She’s fine, what’s the matter?"
A strange silence seemed to stretch time, and only after a long while did Charlotte speak again.
Her tone was peculiar, like a soft laugh, yet carrying the satisfaction of revenge.
"I agree to cooperate with you. But... tell Iris for me, eat well, don’t suffer, I’m sorry to her."
After saying this, Charlotte got up and walked to the door with large steps, turning to smile as she passed by Evelyn.
On that pale face, smugness was evident.
Evelyn watched, only finding it amusing.
Charlotte’s methods of revenge were truly astonishingly low.
Was this an attempt to rouse anger and resentment in her with a seemingly caring and apologetic message for Iris Lockwood?
Truly, utterly ridiculous.
She went to the adjacent room to meet with Yara Reagan and Iris Lockwood.
Iris’s eyes were still red, Yara remained calm, yet both, without exception, had an underlying pain in their eyes.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Evelyn smiled lightly, "It was rather successful. Just as I expected, Charlotte Sterling is easily swayed. It seems it won’t be long before our Gem can expand its scale."
Iris hesitated, "What if, what if she goes back on her word, then what do we do?"
With calm composure, Evelyn picked up the tea cup and took a light sip.
If Charlotte had even the slightest bit of sense, she’d understand who is the best partner for collaboration.
Iris and Yara both wore puzzled expressions.
Finishing her tea, Evelyn smiled as she turned on her phone’s screen. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel(ꜰ)ire.net
On the main screen, a recording progress bar appeared.
Yara’s eyes widened with excitement slowly rising, "Are you... are you planning to threaten Charlotte?"
"No." Evelyn smirked, "You could say, not entirely. Charlotte has ten percent of Aegis’s shares; it’s not much, but she’s a shareholder. Once I secure these shares, using the recording to persuade other minor shareholders will be much easier."
Iris looked at her with admiration, "Evelyn, you’re really amazing..."
"Let’s not talk about this, I’m really a bit tired," Evelyn’s smile faded a bit, "Let’s go home and get some sleep."
Driving home, after settling Yara and Iris in the guest room, Evelyn returned to her bedroom to wash up and sleep.
Her dreams were a chaotic mess, as if she returned to the day she turned fifteen.
It was her birthday, also the day Charlotte Sterling and Philip Lockwood got married.
She sat by the garden fountain outside the wedding banquet hall, watching the water column change with the lights, rising and falling.
It was a very cold autumn, the dream was damp and gloomy, she could still faintly hear the wedding march playing.
Evelyn didn’t go back; clutching a ring, she ran out of the wedding scene against the wind.
It was as if she ran from autumn into spring, feeling the warm breeze whooshing by her ears.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes, the tides receded.
Still sleepy, she glanced beside her.
The morning was bright, sunlight shone in, warm and inviting, making her squint unconsciously.
At that moment, Yara came knocking on her door, her voice brimming with energy.
"Evelyn, are you up? Breakfast time! I made some bacon and onsen tamago!"
Evelyn couldn’t help but smile a little as she got out of bed, opened the door, and walked into her own bustling life.
Iris still had swollen red eyes, sitting obediently by the dining table. Seeing Evelyn come out, she gave a big smile.
"Come eat, we have to go to the office today," Yara urged Evelyn, "With Rhys busy at the factory, the company affairs are left to us two."
Evelyn remembered something.
"How’s Julia Lawrence doing? Still didn’t see her yesterday."