Justin felt nervous. The insistence on searching his body made him sense that something was off.
After handing over all his belongings, Justin was allowed to enter.
He stepped through the doorway alone, and the door slammed shut behind him with a loud thud.
A shiver ran through Justin. His heart pounded with worry as he thought about what lay ahead.
Lucas was sitting on an expansive leather sofa, holding a gleaming, dark cane in his left hand while resting his right hand on top of it. His legs were spread apart, projecting power and dominance.
As soon as Justin walked in, Lucas lifted his eyes and looked directly at him. The intense aura from the old man felt like it could pierce right through Justin’s soul.
Justin’s legs began to tremble. The intensity in Lucas’s eyes reminded him strongly of Dave.
“Mr. Evans,” Justin said as he approached Lucas, greeting him with a mix of caution and respect.
“You’ve been overseeing Phoenix Entertainment recently, haven’t you?” Lucas asking, keeping his eyes fixed on Justin as he talked in a calm tone.
Justin nodded carefully in response.
Lucas’s patience seemed to fade as he got straight to the point with a heavy snort. “Tell me about your relationship with Bianca Scott, your former employee from Phoenix Entertainment,” he said, his tone leaving no room for escape.
Justin felt a sinking feeling in his chest. Were the events of the day somehow connected to Bianca?
“Did you give her a red diamond necklace?” Lucas’s questioning became more intense.
“Where did you get so much money? Have you been using company funds?” Embezzlement was an unforgivable offense in Lucas’s business.
Justin was momentarily taken aback, anxious about which necklace Lucas was talking about.
Thinking of Bianca, he suspected Dave might be involved, although he hadn’t mentioned any necklace.
After a brief pause, Justin scrambled to come up with a response. “Mr. Evans, Bianca was an executive agent at Phoenix Entertainment. My dealings with her were purely professional. As for the necklace you mentioned, I don’t know anything about it.”
However, Justin’s words sounded hollow to Lucas, like an attempt to hide the truth. “The evidence is right here.” Lucas grabbed a file of transaction records from the table with a sneer and threw it at Justin. “Are you still going to deny it?”
The file hit Justin hard. The sharp paper scratched his skin, causing a sting. He instinctively touched his face, and his fingers came away with blood.
“Look for yourself and see if that diamond necklace wasn’t bought under your name, Justin Wilson!” Lucas shouted, his eyes filled with suspicion and anger.
Confused, Justin picked up the papers and saw his name printed on them. He quickly realized that Dave must have made the purchase using his name to hide his involvement.
A throbbing headache started as he tried to process everything.
“Explain this to me!” Lucas slammed his cane onto the floor, making a loud noise. “Where did you get such a large amount of money?” he demanded.
Lucas had been unable to find proof that Justin was misusing company funds. Without solid evidence, he decided to pressure Justin into confessing.
Justin stayed silent, but inside, he was desperately trying to think of a reasonable explanation.
How could he possibly justify spending a billion dollars?
“If you’re not admitting to buying the diamond yourself, then you must have gotten it for someone else. Tell me who’s behind this, and I might let you go this time,” Lucas said, changing his approach as he noticed Justin’s silence.
Justin’s heart skipped a beat. Should he expose Dave?
After a moment of hesitation, Justin made up his mind.
“Okay, I’ll tell you…” he started, clenching his fists and taking a deep breath to gather his courage.
****
That night at Evans Manor, the big door swung open, and Lucas stepped inside. Even though he used a cane, he still had a strong presence.
As soon as the door opened, a man sitting on the sofa jumped up and quickly walked over to help Lucas to the couch. “Dad.”
This man was Rupert Evans, Lucas’s second son.
Lucas looked at Rupert and asked, “What are you doing here?”
Rupert smiled warmly and replied, “I had some free time and thought I’d come to see you.”
Skylar poured tea for the two of them with grace.
Watching her, Rupert said, “I’ve heard you’ve picked a fiancee for Dave. So this lovely lady was her?”
With a gentle smile, Skylar responded in a soft, respectful tone.
Seeing this, Lucas’s smile grew as he said, “This is Skylar Larson. You met her when she was a child.”
Rupert, hiding his surprise behind a fake smile, quickly pulled himself together. He said to Skylar, “Oh, you’re Skylar! I didn’t expect you to turn into such a charming woman since we last met. Dad, you really made a great choice. Skylar is not only beautiful but also elegant and polite. Dave is very lucky to have such a wonderful wife, and, Dad, you have great taste.”
Rupert showered Lucas with compliments while keeping his eyes on Skylar.
Skylar smiled modestly and replied softly, “Dave is really a remarkable man. I feel lucky to know him.”
Pleased with Skylar, Lucas quickly reassured her. “Don’t worry. I know Dave well. He’s an introvert, so it won’t be easy for him to share his feelings, even if he has them. You’ve saved his life in a way, and I’m sure he cares deeply for you.”
“I understand,” Skylar replied obediently.
“By the way, Skylar, the recent show you were in has caused quite a stir. Has it affected you at all?” Rupert asked, pretending to be concerned.
Skylar subtly shook her head.
Lucas, noticing this, frowned and focused on her. “What happened with the show you mentioned?”
Anyone who dared to upset his future granddaughter-in-law would disappear from the city without a trace.
As Skylar was about to respond, Rupert interrupted, saying, “Dad, let me explain…”
After Rupert shared the whole story, Lucas looked puzzled and said, “That’s strange. The crew was so eager to drag her down, but then suddenly, they apologized to Bianca Scott. She must be quite impressive.”
Upon hearing the name Bianca, Lucas furrowed his brow and repeated, “Bianca Scott?”
Wasn’t she the woman Skylar mentioned earlier who ran an agency with the help of her backer?
Rupert, slightly surprised, asked, “What’s wrong, Dad? Do you know her?”
Lucas fell silent, lost in thought. Undeterred, Rupert continued, “I’ve also heard that the crew apologized because of support and pressure from Phoenix Alliance Group.”