Chapter 48

Evelyn finished the last bite of chocolate, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. With playful mischief, she tucked the remaining half of the chocolate bar into Theodore's suit pocket and gave his chest an appreciative pat.

"Not bad," she teased, fingers lingering just a second too long. "You've been working out."

Theodore's breath hitched. Heat flooded his cheeks at her boldness, leaving his mouth suddenly dry.

At twenty-six, Theodore was four years older than Evelyn. His father, Gregory Pembroke, had served as head of Monarch Group's legal department for decades, earning Harrison Kingsley's utmost trust. This connection meant Theodore had spent much of his youth visiting Willow Creek Estate.

The memory of their first meeting remained vivid in Theodore's mind. He'd been wandering the estate's gardens when a vision in white came skating toward him - a radiant girl in an angel costume, her laughter ringing like silver bells across the manicured lawns.

For a disorienting moment, he thought he'd stumbled into some celestial dream. Then the angel planted one foot on her skateboard, flipping it up into her hands with effortless grace.

"Got any candy?" she'd demanded, tilting her head.

Theodore had frozen, mentally chastising himself for the inappropriate thoughts about what was clearly a child. Yet he couldn't deny her ethereal beauty - the kind that made poets weep and artists abandon their brushes.

"Never mind," young Evelyn had sighed dramatically when he didn't immediately respond. She'd been about to skate away when Theodore caught her slender wrist - so delicate his fingers nearly encircled it completely.

"Wait."

Digging in his pocket, he produced a chocolate bar. "Will this do?"

Her entire face had lit up. "Perfect!" She'd unwrapped it with reverence, taking a blissful bite that made her eyes crinkle at the corners.

From that day forward, Theodore never visited Willow Creek without pockets full of sweets. Even now, years later, he remained Evelyn's personal confectionery supplier whenever her sweet tooth demanded satisfaction.

The press conference was reaching its boiling point.

Damian Sterling's face flushed crimson as he slammed his fist on the podium. "For the last time! Luxe Furnishings products meet the highest quality standards! I'd stake my life on it!"

"Then why did Monarch Grand Hotels nationwide cancel all orders with your company overnight?" The reporter's sharp question cut through the murmuring crowd. "The public deserves an explanation, Mr. Sterling."

Live stream comments scrolled rapidly:

[Staking his life? Must be telling the truth then.]

[Maybe his life isn't worth much anyway.]

[That smug face makes me want to return everything I've ever bought from them.]

"You want an explanation?" Damian's smile turned venomous. "Very well. This incident has revealed management oversights - with hundreds of stores nationwide, some employees exploited loopholes for personal gain. Those responsible have been dealt with severely."

He paused dramatically. "But it takes two to dance this tango. If not for Monarch Group executives bribing my staff, would we be here today? They're scapegoating my company to cover their own corruption!"

Gasps rippled through the room.

Oliver Sinclair exchanged an incredulous look with Nathan Blackwood. The audacity of this lie was staggering.

Nathan's knuckles whitened around his pen, his glacial stare fixed on Damian.

"Exhibit A!" Damian commanded.

Projected onto the screen appeared damning evidence - chat logs between Vincent Prescott, VP of Monarch Grand Hotels, and a Luxe Furnishings manager. Bank statements and clandestine meeting photos completed the picture.

"These prove Vincent Prescott conspired with my employee to purchase substandard products at kickback prices. Monarch Group orchestrated this entire scandal to destroy a smaller competitor! We will pursue legal action against this corporate bullying!"

Damian's triumphant smirk said everything - he'd planned this sacrificial pawn from the beginning, carefully cultivating evidence for this exact moment.

Oliver's stomach dropped. Public sentiment was already shifting, social media erupting with accusations of Monarch Group's market domination tactics.

Nathan's expression darkened to thunderous.

Just as Damian opened his mouth to deliver his killing blow, the speakers in the banquet hall erupted with an earsplitting screech.