Fenella’s POV
My eyes blinked after hearing Mr. Evans’ words. My brow furrowed as I tried to understand his reasoning and failed miserably. I remained silent, but eventually, my heart was stirred to dig deeper.
“Excuse me? Why is that?” I asked slowly, being careful not to make a misstep.
“Because he helped my enemy,” Mr. Evans replied firmly.
Again, I could only blink. An enemy? Yes, Laird had told me how Mr. Golden had an affair with his mother. But wasn’t that ten years ago? In fact, Mr. Evans had been busy with his young girlfriend.
Still, Laird had helped to do the right thing. I didn’t want to argue with him, but I began to feel that Mr. Evans’ disappointment in Laird was beyond reason.
“But he helped capture criminals. He has contributed to the community.” I voiced my opinion again and swallowed to ease my nervousness.
“You don’t know anything, kid. He helped my arch-enemy without considering my feelings.” Mr. Evans scoffed in frustration. “How dare he? Sometimes Laird can be unreliable in defending his family. He is the one who always enjoys reopening wounds for me.”
Before I could voice my thoughts, a server came with a plate of appetizers for us. Smoked tuna canapes with cherry tomatoes, the server explained with a friendly smile.
“Please, Ms. Baxter,” Mr. Evans gestured with a quick sweep of his hand.
“Thank you.”
We ate in silence. I felt the atmosphere was darker and colder than when we first met. Or was it just my anxiety and nervous feelings acting up?
After we finished the canapes, the waiter took our plates and served the main course. That was a wagyu steak with truffle sauce, mashed potatoes, and a spring salad.
I bit my lower lip as I looked at the portion served. Ugh, I knew I shouldn’t be rude, but I wasn’t sure I could finish it all. If I had leftover food behind, I didn’t know how Mr. Evans would judge me.
But hadn’t he already been judging me with his sharp eyes from the start?
“What is your job, Ms. Baxter?” Mr. Evans asked while cutting his steak.
“Uh, I’m currently a freelance model, but I just started a modeling agency. I mean, just started as in twenty minutes ago,” I chuckled awkwardly with a stiff smile.
“Hm, I don’t understand why you didn’t start a real business like Robert,” he said, pursing his lips.
“Oh,” I gasped.
I was caught off guard by his question, especially after he mentioned my father as a comparison. What did he mean by a real business? Again, I restrained myself and remained polite.
“It’s just my passion to stay in the fashion and entertainment industry. I’ve been a model for over seven years, so I can’t let it go easily.” I gave a thin smile.
“Hm, yes, I understand. Sometimes we want to prove our worth after the chaos we’ve created.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?” I blinked again in disbelief.
“It’s exactly as I mean. I know you were confused about finding a job after you closed down your office yourself. It must have been hard, but I don’t entirely blame your decision. People can be desperate.” Mr. Evans shrugged and took a bite of his meat.
“I’m not desperate. It’s my own decision.” I denied it.
Of course, I was lying. Mr. Evans’ thought might be correct that I was confused about Gene being closed by my own hand, but I didn’t want to admit that to him. I did the right thing.
“Don’t tell me you asked Laird to follow your decision as well. Was working with Mr. Golden also your idea?” Mr. Evans narrowed his eyes at me with a scrutinizing gaze.
My heart raced, and my fingers felt sore. I began to feel the knife and fork in my hands growing heavier, and I lost my appetite. It was clear he was blaming me. He wanted me to bear all the guilt.
“He made his own decision,” I answered quietly.
“Well, that sucks. Defiance is one thing, but my ego’s another.” Mr. Evans cut his meat on his plate with more pressure.
As if he was channeling his frustration into the helpless meat. Meanwhile, I sat there, breathing heavily. Somehow, his words ticked me off instantly.
“Is that what his life is all about? With all due respect, sir. He’s not your babysitter who has to keep your ego intact all the time.”
My voice was firm and cold. My grip on the knife and fork tightened as I sought a way to bolster my resolve. There was no longer a smile on my lips.
After hearing me, he immediately looked up and stared at me intently.
“Well, miss. I guess I misjudged you. I thought I would give you a chance to help me get Laird to put some senses into his head. But clearly, I was wrong.” He placed his knife and fork down slowly.
“Don’t you realize how much effort I’ve put into shaping him into a man who could make the Evans name proud? But you always lead him in the wrong direction.”
“Wrong direction?” I furrowed my brow and repeated his words with disbelief.
“Don’t think I don’t know anything. I do, but I let it happen. I thought you two would break up anyway.”
“Break up with him?” I scoffed.
Again, I couldn’t believe my ears, but Mr. Evans continued to speak at length as if lecturing me.
“I even acted kindly towards your mother. But you’ve made Laird reject profitable business relationships, caused problems with his boss, drawn him into Malcolm Golden’s circle, and now you’ve got him doing dangerous things.”
“Sir, I know we’re involved in a big mess, but we’re sure we’ve done the right thing.” I answered with a trembling voice, holding back my anger.
No, I couldn’t be angry with him. After all, he was Laird’s father.
“Aren’t you selfish? Can you leave his life? How much do you need to get off my face?”
Oh, that’s it! Now I was 100% sure he didn’t like me. Well, whatever I did or said, no matter how good it was, I couldn’t impress him. Even if I was polite to him or not, he would still hate me.
Just like Laird, who had done many things to fulfill his father’s wishes. Did he receive praise? No. Did he gain freedom? No. He wasn’t even allowed to choose his own career.
So, I no longer held back.
I carefully placed my knife and fork on the plate, positioning them upright in the center. It was a table manner sign that I’d had enough of this nonsense.
“I apologize, Mr. Evans. It seems you will have to swallow your disappointment because I won’t break up with Laird. We love each other, and time has proven that.”
Mr. Evans snorted. Just before he was about to refute my words, I cut him off.
“I’ve always wanted to say this to you. Laird is an intelligent man with outstanding achievements. He has his own principles and has the right to make his own decisions as an adult.”
“If you think of him as a horse you can control with your reins, then you are greatly mistaken. You better get your act together soon before you lose your son forever. And yes, I will prioritize our happiness and act very selfishly until you are sick of seeing smiles on our faces without you to celebrate with us.”
“You wouldn’t dare. I can make both of your lives bend and break.”
“Oh, sure. I will tremble helplessly under my bed. But anyway, I’ll do it together with Laird, and you will be all alone.”
I stood up and said quickly.
“Enjoy your meal, sir. Good day.”
Then I turned and walked out of the restaurant. I passed by the bodyguards who had escorted me earlier. They were about to stop me, but I raised my hand.
“Just fuck off or I’ll sue you for abduction.”
I gave them a cold smile. As they hesitated in place after hearing my words, I hurriedly took the elevator and left as quickly as I could from the thirtieth floor.