Lucas’s face remained stern, the lines on his face growing sharper. “Yes. In my eyes, she and the Evans Group cannot coexist in your life. Either you lose me as your grandfather, or you give her up today. Dave, this is your final chance. Don’t make the wrong choice.”
The demand was unfair.
Dave’s fists clenched, and his eyes turned darker with sorrow and resentment.
He approached Lucas and stood in front of him. “Grandpa, I will make you change your mind,” he said firmly.
After saying that, he turned away and walked over to Bianca. In her confusion, he gently took her hand and gave her a soft smile. “Let’s go home.”
Everything happened so quickly. The tense exchange between Lucas and Dave left Bianca speechless and frozen.
Ignoring the whispers and curious looks, Dave held her hand tightly. He led her out of the banquet hall without hesitation.
The crowd watched in stunned silence as they disappeared from view.
The room fell silent. No one dared to speak, fearing they might anger Lucas further.
The crowd exchanged stunned glances, too shocked to speak.
After Dave left, Lucas sank into his chair, his strength fading. He clutched the butler’s arm and rasped, “Take charge of the banquet. Continue without me.”
“Dad, let me take care of it,” Rupert offered as he walked towards his father.
Lucas looked at his second son, the one person he still felt he could depend on in the Evans Group.
A deep sadness filled him.
Taking Rupert’s hand, Lucas let out a heavy sigh. “Okay, I’ll leave it to you. I’m tired. I need to rest.”
The butler assisted Lucas as he rose from his seat. Together, they quietly exited through the side door.
Skylar, on the other hand, had completely broken down. She sat motionless, staring blankly ahead like a lifeless puppet.
Rupert ignored her. Sensing his chance to rise, he focused on making a strong impression.
This event was crucial for the Evans Group, and he knew gaining the support of the influential guests could secure his path to becoming the chairman.
He walked to the center stage, saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Rupert Evans, CEO of the Vanguard Group under the Evans Group and the second son of Lucas Evans. I apologize for the scene you just witnessed. My nephew has shown he is not ready for these responsibilities. My father isn’t feeling well, so I’ll be hosting today’s event on my father’s behalf. Please, enjoy yourselves.”
The audience responded positively, nodding and murmuring their approval.
Rupert felt their recognition and smiled to himself, filled with satisfaction.
Dave and Bianca walked in tense silence as they left the banquet hall and made their way through the ship.
In a quiet, empty corridor, Bianca suddenly stopped and pulled her hand away.
“Dave, you still haven’t told me what’s going on,” she said firmly. She refused to take another step without answers.
“This isn’t the right place,” he replied, glancing around anxiously, worried someone might overhear them.
“The ship is at sea. Where else can we go?” Bianca asked, biting her lip in frustration.
Dave offered a calm smile. “We won’t reach the shore tonight. Come to my room and stay for the night. We’ll leave as soon as we dock in the morning.”
“I’m not going to your room,” Bianca snapped, her voice firm and defiant. “If you have something to say, say it right here.”
Dave sighed, understanding her frustration. He gently took her wrist, his grip firm but not forceful, and started to guide her away.
“Where are you taking me?”
Bianca’s voice shook as Dave pulled her quickly across the ship toward the deck.
The banquet hall held all the guests, leaving the deck empty but glowing with soft lights that sparkled in the night. A cool breeze swept through, adding to the serene atmosphere.
Dave stopped at the railing, gripping it tightly. His figure stood against the endless ocean, strikingly blending with the horizon.
Bianca stayed a few steps behind, staring at him. He felt both familiar and distant, triggering a mix of emotions she couldn’t untangle.
“Do you remember the sea was your backdrop when Haris kidnapped you?” Dave said, his tone casual, as if they were discussing an ordinary topic. “I searched everywhere for you in Edenfield. I even used military resources to track you down.”
His words, meant to comfort, sent a chill through Bianca. The idea of him mobilizing the army for her was both overwhelming and unsettling.
Dave turned to face her, leaning back against the rail. His eyes softened as he watched her, her hair blowing in the wind. He seemed content just to be near her.
“Why?” Bianca asked quietly, her voice filled with both wonder and confusion. She lowered her head, clasping her hands tightly as if talking to herself.
Dave frowned slightly, puzzled. “What do you mean by that?” he asked.
“Why did you go through all this trouble to save me?” Bianca asked, her voice trembling as tears filled her eyes, giving her a fragile look.
“What do you think?” Dave replied softly, stepping closer until his presence surrounded her.
“You’re the CEO of the Phoenix Alliance Group,” she said, her voice breaking. “You could have any woman you want. Why focus on me? Why hide who you really are? And why go to such extremes to save me?”
As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn’t understand why someone like him would care so deeply. If he didn’t truly care, he could have ignored her.
She would have walked away long ago without his constant rescues and never looked back.
Now, thinking about everything they’d been through, her heart ached. It was a mix of pain and warmth she couldn’t escape. She believed in love because of all the ways he had shown her his love. How could she dismiss it all as a lie?
Seeing her cry so bitterly, Dave gently reached out and wiped her tears away. His eyes were full of compassion.
“I’m sorry, Bianc. I’m so sorry,” he muttered softly.
It was all he could say, though he knew a simple apology could never fix everything.
For a while, there was only silence between them.
Then, in a quiet voice, Dave asked, “Do you want to hear my story?”
Bianca slowly lifted her head and wiped away a tear. Looking into his serious, handsome face, she gave a small nod.
With a wistful smile, Dave turned to face the sea, his hands gripping the railing as memories from the past flooded his mind.
“It all began in my childhood,” he said quietly.