Humiliating Skylar at the engagement party was just a small punishment and a reminder that she shouldn’t betray him. It didn’t matter what Skylar knew or why she acted the way she did. Just because she had saved his life once didn’t give her the right to act without consequences. Dave had no patience for women who thought too highly of themselves, making it clear that saving his life didn’t mean she could get away with anything.
Surprised by how well Dave had everything planned and how quickly he acted, Michael shook his head in amazement. “What’s your next move? After dealing with your grandpa, will you let your uncles take control of the Evans family fortune?”
“That’s definitely not in my plans,” Dave replied.
Dave swirled his glass of red wine as he spoke confidently. “Not showing up at my engagement party was just part of my trip to Mubluosia. The main reason was to keep an eye on our international projects. After all the work I’ve put in, things are finally about to pay off. Once my uncles go bankrupt, I’ll take over their assets and control at least half of the Evans Group’s shares.”
From the start, Dave had planned for every possible outcome. After being at the top of the business world for so long with his sharp mind, it was clear no one could outsmart him.
Michael now understood why he could never compete with Dave.
Dave’s sharp mind and unstoppable drive made him far better than Michael at planning and staying determined. He was like a cheetah, always prepared to act and never stopping until he succeeded.
Michael felt a chill at the thought, thankful he had sided with Dave instead of trying to go against him. If he had challenged him, he couldn’t even imagine how badly he would have lost.
Dave leaned back on the sofa, his eyes half-closed as he spoke clearly. “Once everything’s settled, I’ll give you control of 20% of our international market.”
It was his promise to Michael.
Michael, sitting back with one leg casually crossed over the other, smiled and replied, “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
“By the way, Bianca told me Sophia’s divorce is final, and she’s single now. You might want to make a move before someone else does,” Dave said, raising an eyebrow at Michael.
“Dave, when did you start caring about my love life?” Michael joked a bit, but deep inside, he was happy.
With the 20% market share Dave promised, Michael would have a significant influence on his family. He imagined proudly introducing Sophia and her child to them, ensuring they would never have to face hardship again.
****
After the banquet, Lucas headed home.
Skylar had spent the afternoon regaining her composure. When Lucas arrived, she made his favorite tea and prepared sugar-free treats. She had carefully arranged the living room and helped him change out of his formal clothes into something more comfortable.
Right now, Lucas was the only one backing Skylar and Dave’s relationship. He had enough influence to change Dave’s mind. Skylar’s skill at reading the room and these small, thoughtful gestures were exactly what she needed to win Lucas’s heart.
“Mr. Evans, please try these cookies. Since the doctor is concerned about your blood sugar, I made them sugar-free. Let me know if they taste good, especially with the tea.”
The cookies had a rich taste without being too sweet, and the tea was just right-refreshing and gentle. Lucas felt a deep sense of contentment after his long day, and Skylar’s thoughtful care only added to his satisfaction. Taking a sip of tea, he smiled warmly and praised Skylar for her careful attention.
Noticing her concern, Lucas reassured her. “Don’t worry, Skylar. I won’t forget what happened today. When Dave gets back, I’ll make sure he faces the consequences and personally apologizes to you. And you can’t stop me from giving him a good talking-to.”
Skylar lowered her gaze, refilling Lucas’s teacup as she said, “Please, there’s no need. I’m feeling much better now. It wasn’t a big deal to begin with. Dave’s focus on his career is understandable, and I know you care about us. We’ll have more chances to have an engagement celebration. Let’s just move on.”
Skylar’s kindness really touched Lucas, making him admire her even more.
“Skylar, even though Dave doesn’t seem to care about your feelings, you’re still defending him. A woman like you is rare. He’ll realize your worth sooner or later,” Lucas said with a sigh. “It’s a shame we only had one good day out of these two months. We can’t settle for less, so we’ll have to postpone the engagement until a better time. Don’t worry, I’ll pick a better date for you.”
Skylar smiled softly. “We’ll go along with your plans.”
“Honestly, I understand Dave’s situation. His schedule is so busy that we barely have any time together. It’s hard to build a relationship with so little time, which is why he seems so detached from the engagement. If I could be with him every day, I’m sure he wouldn’t feel so distant,” Skylar sighed, her tone calm and accepting.
Lucas thought about Skylar’s words for a moment and realized she was right. With how much Dave was focused on his work, there was hardly any time for them to relax or be together.
“You’re right. I’ll handle it,” Lucas said with confidence.
Skylar smiled quietly. She bent down to pour more tea for Lucas, pleased that she had made her point.
After a short pause, a new thought crossed her mind. She sighed softly and said, “I just wish I knew who leaked the news about the engagement to the paparazzi. The way they grilled me when I left felt like an attack. Just thinking about how they’ll twist today’s engagement for tomorrow’s headlines gives me a headache.”
She paused and watched Lucas carefully. When she saw he was listening, she went on, “I don’t mind the ridicule, but I’m worried about the Evans family’s reputation. It could end up hurting yours and Dave’s too…”
Lucas lifted his hand and gently rubbed his chin, realizing that the only way the media could have arrived so quickly was if someone had leaked the information.
With a sharp tone, Lucas muttered, “Anyone who dares to cross me will regret it for the rest of their life. I’ll find whoever spread those rumors and make Edenfield a living nightmare for them!”