William clenched his jaw tightly. He wanted to snap back, to tell Norah that not everything that happened in this family was his fault, but he swallowed his pride.
He couldn’t afford to upset anyone. Not when every vote counted.
"I’m... sorry," he said, forcing out the words like bitter medicine. "I didn’t mean for things to get this messy."
Jason and Norah exchanged a look and promptly ignored him.
"Joseph," Jason said, turning to the man sitting opposite him. "Can we start the meeting now? I believe everyone’s here, right?"
Joseph leaned back casually, flipping through a few papers before glancing at the clock.
"Not yet," he replied calmly. "We’ve still got five minutes. One seat’s still empty."
"Ah, so we wait... Okay.. Okay..." Jason Walters nods.
William frowned.
"What do you mean by ’empty’? We’re complete now," he said, his tone turning confused. "Unless... you forgot, Maddy’s been dead for years; she won’t be attending."
"Yes, Joseph, my sister-in-law has already passed away many years ago. How could she attend this meeting?" Norah added, then she turned to Alicia. "Sorry, Alice... I mean my first sister-in-law." She flashed an apologetic smile.
"Norah, I understand..." Alicia said with a faint smile, then quickly returned to a cold expression and waited patiently. Today, she just needed to be present. No words were necessary. They would follow Joseph Carter’s lead.
Stella, who had been sitting quietly for a while, finally broke her silence. She casually leaned back in her chair, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Maybe Joseph’s just waiting for Sister Eve to show up?" she said casually, twirling her pen between her fingers.
The air instantly turns cold.
"What?" William Walters’ voice boomed through the room, his expression darkening. He shot Stella a glare. "She won’t come. She can’t come. I didn’t allow her to enter this city!"
"My goodness, Dad..." Stella chuckled and shook her head lightly. "Do you think you own the city now? How bold of you to say that! Even the president of this country can’t prevent others from entering this city."
William opened his mouth to scold her, but Stella already continued her words.
"Dad, Eve didn’t return, not because of your warning, but because she was tired of living in the same city as you."
William’s face turned crimson with anger, "STELLA—"
"William, enough!" Samuel’s voice thundered, enough to silence William, "This is a shareholders’ meeting, not your family drama hour."
The room went silent again.
William didn’t say another word, but the way his jaw tightened and his hand clenched into a fist said plenty. His eyes locked on Stella, a silent war raging between them.
And then, with perfect timing, the door swung open again.
The sound of heels echoed sharply against the floor.
Every head turned.
Gasps rippled through the room.
William’s blood ran cold. His face went from furious red to deathly pale in seconds.
Standing at the doorway was a young woman dressed in a cream silk blouse tucked neatly into matching culottes, topped with a sleek black long coat.
Her posture was elegant, her presence commanding. She looked every inch the woman in control; beautiful, calm, yet with eyes that carried a haunting familiarity.
For a brief moment, William thought he was seeing a ghost. But no amount of blinking could erase her from sight.
It was her, Evelyn Walters, his eldest daughter.
The one he had forbidden from ever setting foot in this city again. ’Why is she here?’
"Sorry, Thomas," Evelyn said as she stepped inside, her tone calm, unhurried. "Traffic. And reporters."
She strode across the room with quiet confidence. She took the empty seat beside the representatives from J Corp and Moressy Holding.
Both men immediately stood to acknowledge her respectfully.
Joseph tried to hide his smirk but failed. "Of course not, Eve," he said smoothly. "Perfect timing. Now we’re complete."
Then, he turned toward Samuel with a glint in his eye. "Shall we begin, Mr. Walters?"
Before Samuel could reply, William shot up from his chair. "Wha...what is the meaning of this? Why is she here? Joseph, why is this woman here?"
"Sit down, Will," Samuel said sternly.
"No!" William barked, slamming a hand on the table. "No one tells me to sit down in my meeting. In my company. Not even you, Dad!"
Then, he jabbed a finger toward Evelyn. "And you... Who the hell are you? Why are you even here?"
Evelyn met his outburst with calm amusement.
"Evelyn Taylor," she said clearly, her tone steady but sharp. "Representing Moressy Holding, J Corp, and Madison Taylor."
Her words hit like an explosion.
Silence swallowed the room.
Alicia and Stella didn’t even blink. They never thought Evelyn would end up representing another company. They believe she comes because her mother shares.
Samuel sat motionless, his eyes unreadable.
Jason and Norah’s jaws dropped.
Joseph’s grin widened like a man enjoying a live performance.
William’s face turned ghostly white as the reality sank in. His mouth opened and closed soundlessly before he managed to say, "Moressy Holding. J Corp. That’s... you?"
Evelyn tilted her head slightly, the corner of her lips curving into a cold smile.
She didn’t answer him; instead, she said, "Mr. William Walters. Nice to see you again."
Her voice was calm.
"You look exactly as I remember," Evelyn continued, her words sharp enough that it felt like a slap. "Still proud. Still arrogant. Yes, I’m the one behind those companies. Surprised?"
Joseph nearly choked on his own breath, trying not to laugh. The look on William’s face, frozen between fury and panic, was pure comedy.
William’s mouth moved, but nothing came out.
He looked helplessly between Evelyn, his father, Alicia, and Stella; however, they looked completely at ease, almost pleased.
They exchanged a glance that could only be described as satisfaction.
That’s when it hit him. This wasn’t just a meeting. It was his judgment day.
Everyone in the room... his father, his siblings, even his own wife and daughter, had switched sides and were now against him. He swallowed hard, his chest tightening as he felt the walls closing in.