The engine roared to life as Zane started driving Dave away. He remembered the conversation he had overheard between his boss and Skylar.
Zane wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or concerned.
Then, he glanced at Dave in the rearview mirror.
Just as he had suspected, Dave’s face was lined with a deep frown, his expression gloomy, completely different from his statement that his relationship with Bianca was just a fling.
***
When Skylar entered the building, she couldn’t help but feel happy.
She laughed to herself, realizing she had once seen Bianca as a tough rival, only to realize that Bianca was no match for her.
Thinking it through, she found it made sense. As the future heir of the Evans family, Dave’s noble status made the idea of him falling for an ordinary woman like Bianca seem unlikely. It was just indeed a fling.
As Skylar enjoyed the satisfaction of her thoughts, her phone rang. It was Lucas.
Skylar picked up the phone, her cheeks sore from smiling.
“Hello.”
“Skylar,” Lucas greeted her, “how was your dinner today? Did Dave ignore you?”
“No,” Skylar said, leaning back on the sofa, unable to stop herself from giggling like a schoolgirl. “Dave is very considerate and treats me well. Don’t worry, Lucas.”
On the other end, Lucas felt relieved. From Skylar’s tone, it was clear that things were going well between her and Dave.
They were getting closer, he thought.
Just as he expected, Lucas knew he only needed to give them more chances to bond.
He was confident that everything would fall into place once Dave saw how great Skylar was.
“That’s good,” Lucas said with satisfaction. “Evans Group will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in a few days. I’ve organized a grand banquet and invited top business leaders from across the country and the world. You and Dave will be there. I’ll introduce you as his fiancee and the future matriarch of the Evans family. Get ready, Skylar, and don’t disappoint me.”
Skylar’s mouth went dry.
This was a big event.
Attending the banquet with Dave would be important and prestigious.
She remembered Dave’s absence at their engagement party.
Just thinking about it made her chest tighten.
The sarcastic articles and doubting comments have flooded the internet since then.
That was why Lucas planned to use this opportunity to announce Skylar as Dave’s future wife.
This event would be far more significant than their engagement party.
Lucas would be more than happy to give Dave the Evans Group as long as he married Skylar.
Skylar lifted her chin, pleased by Lucas’s words.
Gripping the phone tightly, she took a deep breath. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly. You can trust me. I won’t let you down.”
“That’s great,” Lucas said, nodding with satisfaction before hanging up.
Skylar closed her eyes and leaned back on the sofa, letting out a long sigh of relief. Unable to hold back her laughter, she savored the moment.
Finally, she was going to get what she wanted.
Skylar shook her head in amusement as she thought about Bianca.
She had once believed Bianca would be her biggest rival, but she never expected her to fall so easily.
Bianca seemed much weaker than she had imagined.
To avoid any future problems, Skylar decided to go ahead with her plan to ask Reece for help.
She intended to ruin Bianca’s reputation so that Bianca would never hinder her again.
With a chuckle, Skylar headed back to her room to get some sleep.
When Bianca returned to the company the next day, Diana informed her, “Several partners backed down after hearing about the lawsuit, but a few are still holding firm.”
Bianca replied calmly, “Mr. Reece Barton has agreed to represent us.”
Diana was surprised. “That’s great! We’re sure to win those cases with him on our side!”
Bianca smiled gently. “Diana, I need you to handle things here today. I have to visit my mom, and then I have a meeting with Mr. Barton this afternoon.”
“Of course, go ahead,” Diana said cheerfully.
Feeling confident with Diana in charge, Bianca handled a few basic tasks before hurrying to the hospital.
On her way, she picked up the pre-ordered birthday cake, her mother’s favorite.
It was Madison’s first birthday since their long separation.
Even though her mother was unconscious, Bianca refused to let the day pass without celebrating.
She saw Leonel sitting beside Madison’s bed when she entered the ward.
He turned when he heard the door open, then looked away. His voice was cold. “I didn’t expect you to remember Mom’s birthday.”
Bianca walked over and placed the cake on the table. “I remember yours too, Leonel,” she said, looking at him.
Leonel’s stern expression softened a bit. He didn’t argue.
With a sigh, he stood up, glanced at the cake, and opened the box.
He placed candles on it, grabbed a stool, set the cake on top, and pushed it closer to Madison.
“Let’s sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Mom. Maybe she can hear us,” Leonel said, lighting the candles and looking at Bianca.
“Okay.”
Sitting at the edge of the bed, Bianca took Madison’s hand and began singing softly, “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you…”
Tears welled up as she sang, but she blinked them away.
Today was Madison’s birthday; she wouldn’t cry. She forced a smile.
After the song, Leonel blew out the candles.
He dipped a fork into the frosting and gently touched it to Madison’s lips, pretending to offer her a taste.
Bianca sniffed and tucked her mother’s hand back under the covers.
As she did, her eyes caught a subtle flicker of movement in Madison’s pinky finger.
Bianca’s eyes were fixed on it. Realization hit her like a wave. She shot up from the bedside, gripped Madison’s shoulders, and called out, “Mom, are you awake? Did you hear our song? Wake up! Please wake up!”
Leonel, startled by her outburst, mistook it for panic. He quickly reached for her arm. “Bianc, calm down. Mom is still unconscious.”
“No, I saw it with my own eyes! Her finger twitched, Leonel. Mom’s waking up!” Bianca cried, fresh tears welling up.
Leonel glanced between the sleeping Madison and Bianca.
After a brief, tense silence, he said, “I’ll get the doctor.”
He hurried out, leaving Bianca holding Madison’s hand close to her cheek. “Mom, I only have you and Leonel now. Please wake up…”
A doctor soon arrived, stethoscope in hand.