“Mr. Van Every, that is absolutely uncalled for. We’re sorry on behalf of the company that you had to go through this sort of humiliation. Please do not make a hasty decision. The board wants you to continue to lead the company as its CEO,” said Mr. Strasbourg, while the others agreed with him, all except Beatrix and Mr. Cromwell, of course.
“Thank you for your faith in me, but I have lost the will to continue in Rotterdams. I will stick to my decision of stepping down as CEO of Rotterdams.”
“Is that your final decision?” asked Mr. Strasbourg, massaging his temples and looking helplessly at the other board members.
“Yes, Mr. Strasbourg.” Alexander didn’t consider it necessary to even glance in her direction. She wanted him to step down, and he just complied, having lost all interest in working with the likes of Gregory Cromwell. With her comrade’s help, Beatrix could figure out how to handle her dad’s business empire.
“It is really our misfortune, but we cannot force you to stay. However, the board would request you to stay back for the transition period, Mr. Van Every,” said Mr. Strasbourg.
“Sure, I will.” Alexander gathered his belongings, ready to leave the conference room. The faster he framed his resignation letter, the better it would be for him, emotionally. With his level of attachment to Rotterdams, it was a painful decision indeed, and he needed to act fast before he changed his mind.
“Gentlemen, I want Mr. Cromwell to take over as the new CEO of Rotterdams,” said Beatrix eagerly, while Alexander sorted his documents without giving her any attention.
“We’re sorry to disappoint you, Ms. Rotterdam. After Mr. Cromwell’s manipulation of the confidential documents belonging to the company, the board has lost faith in his allegiance to Rotterdams,” said Mr. Strasbourg.
“I apologize for my conduct, but whatever I have done was only at Ms. Rotterdam’s request,” said Gregory Cromwell in his defense.
“That’s inconsequential, Mr. Cromwell. You are mature enough to have used your discretion and not supported a crime.” Andre Strasbourg looked at Alexander, picking up his belongings to leave.
“Mr. Van Every, you are requested to stay back and frame your resignation email to the board while we vote for a new CEO to replace you. Your input in this matter hold a lot of relevance.” Alexander sat down and started his laptop while the board members discussed who would be a capable candidate to take over such an important position.
“My vote goes to Mr. Andre Strasbourg. He is knowledgeable and the most experienced person here,” said Mr. McCabe. The others unanimously agreed, much to Beatrix’s displeasure, while Cromwell seethed with fury, his plans not having succeeded. So it was decided that Mr. Andre Strasbourg would take over as the new CEO of Rotterdams. Alexander was happy with the decision and congratulated the sixty-year-old veteran who had headed Rotterdams innumerable times in the past. With his vast experience, there couldn’t have been a better CEO than him.
The meeting was adjourned and Alexander spend the rest of his day updating Mr. Strasbourg, who already was aware of everything going on in the company. Beatrix left angrily, not realizing how much she had pushed Alexander this time. Alexander swore to confront her afterwards and end things with her. He would finish her for what she had attempted to do to him.
In the meantime:
Eva woke up late, her body sore from last night’s lovemaking. She turned to her side but blinked at seeing the side next to her empty. It didn’t look like Alexander had slept there last night. Where had he gone? Had he gone back to his apartment? She freshened up slowly and went to the kitchen to get some coffee. Alexander’s words from last night rang in her ears.
I’m yours, completely, wholeheartedly!
I love you, Eva. Only you!
She smiled with satisfaction, a sense of completeness engulfing her.
Now she belonged to Alexander completely, wholeheartedly, with her entire body, mind, and soul. As she sipped coffee and waited for Alexander to come over, she stretched, feeling lethargic. Maybe she would listen to him and not go to work today. However, when there was no sign of Alexander even after an hour, Eva frowned with concern. Where was he? She picked up her keys and went out to his apartment, but the lock on his gate worried her. Did he leave?
After promising to spend the day with her, what could be his urgency to leave? She called him on his mobile phone, but even after two calls, there was no response. Worried, she made breakfast and got ready for work. There was no point in staying back at home when there were no signs of Alexander. She left for work as usual, but felt too lethargic the whole day. Still, there had been no response from Alexander, and she was upset by now. It was evening, and she drove home feeling hopeless and restless. Was Alexander in some sort of trouble with Beatrix? On reaching home, she called him again, but he switched off his phone instead, making her frown. So he was purposely avoiding her call! Had he walked out of her life forever?
At Daniel Van Every’s house:
Alexander switched off his phone on seeing Eva’s incoming call. Now wasn’t the right time to explain things to her in front of everyone. He had come over after work and updated his parents about Beatrix’s misdeeds. Just as he charged her directly in front of his parents, Eva’s call diverted his attention. He glared at Beatrix, who sat with her head hanging low, trying to portray a sorry figure in front of his parents.
“I cannot forgive her for what she has done to me, dad. I have resigned from my job and left Rotterdams far behind. Now I wish to break up my engagement with Beatrix. I’m calling off the wedding.” Beatrix looked up at him accusingly.
“I wouldn’t have taken such an extreme step if you hadn’t slept with that bitch, Alexander. How could you betray my trust? I am your fiancee, yet you bought the apartment next to her and lived with her for three days. You haven’t even informed us of your return,” she accused him, seething with anger.
“So, what’s the big deal? I love her. When you can claim to love Fairfield and get pregnant with his child, why can’t I be with the woman I love?” demanded Alexander while his parents gaped at the ongoing drama.
“Wait a minute! Who are we talking about? Whom did you live with for three days, Alexander?” asked his dad.
“Who do you love, son?” asked his mom, looking as clueless as her husband. Beatrix turned to give them a look of disbelief while Alexander hesitated. He knew how his parents would react at the mention of Eva’s name.
“Didn’t you tell your parents that you love that good-for-nothing poor nurse? What’s her name? Ah! Eva! Am I right, Alexander?” said Beatrix with a laugh. It was a mirthless, evil sound that made Alexander’s blood boil with fury. “He doesn’t realize that she is after his money.” She said with a scoff, turning to check his parents’ reaction.
“What the hell is she talking about, Alexander?” yelled his dad, sitting down on the nearest chair in shock. His mom paled and staggered to the chair next to her husband. Alexander gathered all his courage and looked them in the eye. It was now or never. He wouldn’t keep his feelings hidden any longer.
“Yes, mom, dad. I love Eva Ann Rayner, the one you both hate the most, the one who has always been forbidden to enter our threshold, the one you don’t want Alyssa to mix with. It isn’t a sudden crush that I have recently developed for her. I have loved her ever since I can remember, for the last twelve years of my life. I tried to move on but couldn’t. She lives in every cell of my body. I can’t marry anyone else in my life. My happiness rests with her.” His parents gaped at him with disbelief, their faces pale and devastated, while Beatrix rolled her eyes at his speech.
“How can you fall for that evil woman, Alexander? Have you forgotten what her mom did to us?” demanded his dad in a shocked whisper.
“Eva is innocent, dad. We cannot blame her for her mom’s actions. She hasn’t harmed you in any way. All her life she has led a lonely life without parents, without a family, with no one to call her own. She has bought herself an apartment with her own money and moved out of our lives. She doesn’t need my money to survive. Not all people are money-minded like you, Beatrix.”
“You are blinded by her charms, son. When you don’t have a luxurious life to offer her, you will realize what she actually is,” warned his mom.
“Fine. Let’s see it happen,” said Alexander.
“It will be too late then, Alexander,” said his dad. “Beatrix will apologize to you and you both can patch up your relationship.”
“No, dad. I am officially breaking off with Beatrix, and I want my ring back. I shall make an official announcement later. Now pack your bags and get out of here. It’s over.”
“What about my baby?” she wailed helplessly.
“I don’t give a damn. You should have thought about it before plotting against me.”
Beatrix burst into tears, but this time no one comforted her, not even his parents.