Meanwhile, Dave was busy at work in the Evans Group office building. After returning from a long business trip, he had a stack of decisions awaiting his attention.
Zane walked into the office, carrying a file tucked under his arm. He placed the file on Dave’s desk, his gaze involuntarily drawn to his boss’s striking features, thoughts swirling about the morning’s hot topic.
Earlier, a photo from Flourish Club’s private room had shown another man beside Blake, and Zane was sure it was Dave.
It was unusual for Dave, known for his calm and unyielding demeanor, to visit a club for a woman’s sake.
Noticing Zane’s stare, Dave asked without looking up, his pen moving steadily across a document, “Is there something on my face?”
Startled from his thoughts, Zane quickly looked away.
“No, nothing. I… uh…”
He hesitated, wanting to speak but faltering. Sensing his hesitation, Dave gave him a pointed look. “Just say it if something’s bothering you.”
“Do you want me to manage the online buzz about that photo? I mean, considering…”
“You think it’s me in that photo, right?” Dave interrupted, setting his pen down and turning to face Zane directly.
“I could be wrong,” Zane hurriedly corrected himself, regretting he had mentioned it at all.
“You’re not wrong,” Dave replied with a slight smile. “Yes, that’s me in the photo. Zane, tell me, how long have you been with me?”
Taken aback by the question, Zane answered, “For over ten years.”
“Over a decade by my side, and you still recognize me at a glance,” Dave acknowledged with a nod.
Zane noticed a gentleness in Dave today. The usual stern gaze was absent, replaced by a softer expression.
Was his boss in such a good mood for a reason?
“Thanks for all these years,” Dave suddenly said, meeting Zane’s eyes.
Zane’s heart raced. It was rare to hear Dave speak so warmly. Did this mean trouble? Maybe he had crossed a line, and now his job was on the line!
“Boss, I… I’m sorry! Please, don’t fire me! I won’t say anything about the photo! Just give me another chance!” he pleaded.
Dave furrowed his brow in confusion. “What are you talking about? I’m not firing you.”
“What? Really?”
Zane was still shaken, but when he glanced at Dave, his boss didn’t seem angry.
“I mean it,” Dave affirmed. Something clicked in his mind, and a faint smile touched his lips. His eyes, softened by the gentle sunlight streaming through the window behind Zane, appeared kinder. “You know, twelve years ago, I was just sixteen.”
“Yeah,” Zane said, pulled into Dave’s nostalgic recollection. “When we first met, I was the kid who got thrown into the sea, and you were the one who pulled me out. You didn’t just save me; you gave me a place to belong. I’ve been by your side ever since.”
To Zane, Dave was more than a boss; he was a hero. At sixteen, Dave had bravely defended him against older guys and rescued him.
Dave commanded a strong presence, his aura intimidating, especially when he confronted those thugs with steely resolve. Zane initially saw him as a tough guy but later discovered Dave was the heir to the Evans family, ruler of one of Edenfield’s most influential families, and owner of a financial empire.
Their second encounter left a lasting impression on Zane. Dave had said, “I saved you, and now you owe me. You’ll stand by me and repay me with firm loyalty, understood?”
Without hesitation, Zane had agreed, “Absolutely, sir. I’d rather face a terrible fate than betray you.”
Thinking back on those times now brought a smile to both their faces.
“Zane,” Dave’s authoritative tone snapped Zane back to the present. “My uncles are growing impatient. Gather some concessions for them. And ensure they stay in line.”
“Got it. I’ll handle it right away.” Zane’s expression darkened.
“And as for the Twitter situation, I have a strategy in mind.” With that, Dave returned to his paperwork.
“Okay,” Zane replied, then turned and left.
Shortly after, Dave’s phone buzzed. He answered the call.
“Sir, Bianca is with Blake. They’ve just gone to Sophia’s place.”
Dave came across Vincent’s recent post.
He clicked on the photos of Bianca and Blake that were trending earlier.
In one picture, Bianca was dressed in a pink evening gown decorated with peach blossoms around her waist, looking graceful. The vibrant buds of the peach blossoms added to her soft and elegant appearance.
In another photo, Bianca stood with Blake, his arm around her waist, slightly turned to the side. Blake gazed intently at her face, their bodies close together, creating an intimate scene.
There was also a photo of Bianca and Blake enjoying dinner together. Bianca looked at Blake with a gentle expression.
Dave held his phone tightly, unable to shake off a growing unease as he looked at the photos.
He rubbed his forehead and leaned back in his chair, trying to sort through his emotions.
****
After saying goodbye to Blake, Bianca entered Sophia’s rented apartment.
The apartment was hidden away to avoid photographers and to protect Sophia from Gabriel’s subordinates.
Sophia was anxious, waiting for the outcome of Gabriel’s trial.
The legal battle between them was ongoing and far from over.
Bianca was the only one who knew Sophia’s exact location.
Bianca rang the doorbell, and soon Sophia opened the door. She was wearing a light blue silk nightdress, smiling warmly.
“Come in, Bianca,” Sophia greeted, noticing the sunflowers in Bianca’s hands. “Oh, these flowers…”
Bianca hesitated, unsure if mentioning Blake’s gift might lead to gossip. To keep things simple, she decided to give the flowers to Sophia.
“Here, Sophia, these sunflowers are for you. May they bring you lots of positivity.”
“Thank you, Bianca. I really appreciate them,” Sophia said, taking the flowers and placing them in a vase in the living room.
Bianca entered the living room, impressed by what she saw.
The apartment was spotless and neatly organized. The tiled floor gleamed, and the table was impeccably clean.
“Your place looks amazing, Sophia. Your housekeeper must be really good,” Bianca complimented.
“I usually take care of the cleaning alone. The housekeeper mostly helps with my child when I’m not here,” Sophia explained while pouring juice for Bianca.
Bianca was surprised. Sophia, a former celebrity who had married Gabriel, seemed like someone who wouldn’t need to do her own housework.
“The housekeeper doesn’t handle the cleaning?” Bianca asked, taking the juice from Sophia.
“No, I prefer to do it myself. I feel more comfortable that way. The housekeeper usually helps out with my child when I’m too busy,” Sophia explained as she sat down beside Bianca.
“Sophia, you really surprised me…”