On top of that, wasn’t this woman once involved with Justin? What was her relationship with Dave now?
For the first time, Lucas felt overwhelmed. Things were slipping out of his control, and the frustration and anxiety overwhelmed him. He hadn’t felt real anger in a long time; his usual outbursts were just an act.
Today, Lucas was furious. A sharp pain struck his chest, and he instinctively clutched it, stumbling backward.
Skylar and Dave both rushed to help him.
Lucas, however, pushed Dave’s hand away and steadied himself by holding onto Skylar’s arm.
“Dave, your grandpa is unwell and shouldn’t be upset. Say something to calm him down,” Skylar said urgently, signaling for Dave to act.
Dave clenched his fists as he watched his grandpa in distress.
Suddenly, Rupert, who was seated in the VIP area, stood up and looked directly at Dave. His tone was serious.
“Dave, stop upsetting Dad and explain everything. What’s your relationship with Miss Scott? Is she your secret lover? Is she why you missed the engagement party? Did you make her wear the same dress as Skylar to humiliate her? Dave, Skylar is your fiancee. Even if you don’t like her, you shouldn’t treat her this way.”
Rupert’s pointed questions darkened Lucas’s expression further. He stared at Dave in disbelief, as though he no longer recognized his grandson.
“Dave, answer now,” Lucas demanded, his finger pointing at him. His breathing grew heavier.
Dave shifted his eyes from Rupert to Skylar, then to Lucas. Lucas stood tall, his sharp, commanding eyes fixed on Dave, exuding the aura of a king surveying his domain.
Dave replied calmly, “Grandpa, today is an important day for the Evans Group. I’ll address these matters with you after the celebration.”
Lucas felt a sharp pain in his chest at those words.
Dave’s refusal to explain immediately only seemed to confirm the suspicions about his relationship with Bianca. If there was nothing to hide, why not clarify now instead of delaying it?
Lucas tried to calm his breathing. As the chairman of the Evans Group, he had faced many challenges.
Years ago, Dave’s father had fought against him, secretly marrying Dave’s mother and giving up his inheritance to live a simpler life. Lucas had endured that betrayal. He reminded himself that he had survived worse.
Lucas was determined not to let Dave repeat his father’s mistakes. Wasn’t the Evans Group inheritance what Dave had always wanted? He had planned to make an important announcement today, but now he hesitated.
With Skylar supporting him, Lucas approached Dave and gave him a piercing look. His sharp, calculating eyes were filled with hostility.
Lucas gestured toward Bianca and said, in a cold tone, “I need an answer from you today. Do you choose her or the Evans Group inheritance?”
The crowd stirred, exchanging confused looks. The choice seemed obvious. How could anyone choose a woman over the Evans Group?
Everyone knew Dave, CEO of Phoenix Alliance Group, had spent years building his empire to compete for the Evans Group heirship. Giving it up for a woman, especially one from a modest background, seemed unthinkable.
Meanwhile, Natalie, sitting at the back, watched the scene with a smirk and her arms crossed. She was certain Dave would choose to cast Bianca aside.
Dave looked directly into Lucas’s eyes but stayed silent.
Lucas’s frown deepened. “If you choose the Evans Group, I’ll give you the one percent of shares you need. You’ll become the largest shareholder and the next chairman.”
Rupert shot up from his seat as soon as Lucas said that, visibly alarmed.
He had planned to use Bianca’s presence to turn Lucas against Dave and diminish his position. He never expected Lucas to use this moment to offer Dave such a chance.
Rupert became agitated. After working tirelessly for years to secure his spot as the heir, he couldn’t stand by and let it be handed to Dave.
“Dad, even if Dave chooses the Evans Group now, it doesn’t mean he won’t continue seeing this woman in secret,” Rupert said, his tone sharp. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s been hiding too much from you.”
Lucas let out a derisive snort, and his eyes fixed on Dave. In a calm yet cutting voice, he said, “If you choose the Evans Group, I will ensure Miss Scott is sent far away, never to appear in your life again. But if you choose her, you forfeit your right to inherit the Evans Group. I will find another successor within the family. You will lose everything. Have you made your decision?”
Bianca’s eyes widened as fear and shock flickered across her face.
She had heard enough about what happens to mistresses caught in the conflicts of wealthy, powerful families.
Lucas hadn’t said it outright, but she knew his idea of sending her away could ruin her life completely.
She had come to this event only to take back her mother’s company. She never expected to uncover Dave’s true identity or to get dragged into his family’s power struggle.
She looked at Dave’s sharp, handsome features. He wore a cold expression without even glancing in her direction.
Her heart sank, feeling like it was trapped under the frozen surface of a winter lake, growing colder with every second.
Dave had never intended to reveal his true identity. She now realized she had been foolishly deceived all along. How could he possibly choose her now?
The heirs of wealthy and powerful families were known for their coldness and cruelty.
Bianca had no doubts-Dave would abandon her without hesitation to secure the power and wealth he desired.
Tears filled her eyes as she recalled her mother, brother, and Blake’s warnings. They had all sensed something was wrong with Dave, but she had ignored them. She had chosen to believe in him, pushing away the people who cared for her most.
The promises she had treasured and the vows she had trusted were all lies, nothing but a facade.
She felt like the biggest fool in the world.
Clutching her chest, she tasted blood in her mouth.
The pain she felt was worse than the betrayal of Haris and Stacey’s affair. It tore through her bones and pierced her heart like endless arrows, leaving her in unbearable torment.
The composure she had fought to hold onto was on the verge of breaking.
Her eyes stayed on Dave-the man who had stolen her heart, now the one ready to throw her into the abyss.
If he abandoned her, she swore she wouldn’t just stand by and accept it.
She made a grim decision. She would rather end her own life than let them hurt her any further.