As her mother, Madison knew Bianca better than anyone.
Bianca must have learned the truth about Dave.
Madison didn’t know what they talked about outside, but she was sure that conversation had led to Bianca’s current state.
“Bianc, if you need to cry, just cry. Don’t hold it in,” Madison said softly.
Those words broke Bianca’s control. She collapsed to the floor, her shoulders shaking violently as she sobbed.
Her tears fell to the floor, but she didn’t make a sound.
Her pride wouldn’t allow it. She wasn’t the vulnerable, helpless Bianca she used to be.
No matter how much pain she was feeling, she would not only survive but find a way to overcome it.
Madison was deeply worried about her, but she knew there was nothing she could do to stop the pain Bianca was going through.
All she could do was stay by her side and offer her support.
That evening, Bianca returned to the Waterfront Apartments.
Not long ago, this had been the place where she and Dave lived together.
As soon as she stood in front of the door, memories of the past rushed at her, each one cutting into her heart like a knife.
After a few seconds, Bianca took a deep breath, gathered her strength, and walked in.
But as soon as she stepped into the living room, Bianca stopped. She looked around quietly.
Her eyes finally settled on the kitchen. They never got the chance to cook tomato and beef brisket together.
Bianca sniffled but refused to let herself fall into sadness. She moved quickly and started packing her things.
Today, she was moving out. She would leave this place behind and also leave her relationship with Dave in the past.
Meanwhile, in the top-floor office of the Evans Group building, dim lights gently lit the face of the man focused on his work at his desk.
Dave’s attention stayed on the papers in front of him. His golden pen moved smoothly as he went through the documents.
Then, a thought crossed his mind. He reached for the desk phone and dialed a number.
A few seconds later, there was a knock on the office door. Dave didn’t look up from his papers as he said sharply, “Come in.”
The door opened, and a man stepped inside. “Sir, how can I help you?”
“Tell everyone. There’s an executive meeting at 8 AM tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
The assistant nodded and started to leave, but Dave’s next words stopped him. “By the way, have Zane prepare the car. I’m going back tonight.”
The assistant’s face changed, and he hesitated before saying, “Sir, Zane… is no longer with us.”
Dave’s pen stopped, and his eyes narrowed. A soft, humorless laugh escaped from his lips. “I see. You can go now.” The assistant quickly left, and Dave was left alone with his thoughts.
Once the door closed, Dave put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his forehead in frustration.
He lit a cigarette, stood up, and walked to the window. He took a deep drag, staring at the bright city lights outside.
His heart felt empty, like a lifeless wasteland where nothing could grow.
As the night passed, cigarette butts gathered at Dave’s feet, their glowing ends flickering in the dark, casting a lonely, cold shadow over him.
Later that night, Dave’s car pulled up to Evans Mansion.
As he stepped out, the bright lights inside the mansion highlighted his tall, strong figure.
Dressed in a black coat, he walked to the door and pressed the doorbell.
The servant who answered the door was surprised to see Dave. “Mr. Evans, welcome,” he said softly.
The servant quickly regained his composure and ushered Dave inside.
In the living room, Skylar was massaging Lucas’s shoulders. A freshly brewed pot of tea sat on the table in front of them.
After the events on the ship, Skylar decided the best thing to do was stay at Lucas’s place and face everything head-on. Lucas was her only support, and she couldn’t afford to lose his favor.
“Is the pressure okay?” Skylar asked, her voice soft and comforting.
Lucas replied with a tone of satisfaction.
“It’s perfect, Skylar. You really know what you’re doing.”
But his satisfaction didn’t last long, as his mind shifted to Dave and his preference for a woman who was far beneath Skylar.
Skylar’s smile began to fade when she caught sight of a tall figure out of the corner of her eye.
She looked up and saw Dave standing there, wearing a blank expression.
“Oh, Dave…”
When Skylar spoke, Lucas opened his eyes and frowned. “I thought you had forgotten about us and decided to focus on that woman. What brings you here so late?” he asked, his tone clearly annoyed.
He was still upset about what had happened on the cruise ship, but he gave Dave a chance to explain.
With a cold look, Dave walked over to a sofa across from Lucas and sat down.
“I have two things to tell you,” he said, his tone formal, as if he were talking to a business partner rather than his grandfather.
“Just say what you have to say,” Lucas said impatiently.
Feeling the tension in the air, Skylar wisely spoke up. “I’ll leave you and Dave to talk.”
Lucas nodded, but Dave disagreed. “No need to leave,” he told her. “There’s nothing I’m going to say that you can’t hear.”
Skylar was surprised and looked at Lucas.
Lucas wasn’t sure what Dave was thinking, so he didn’t respond. He just stared back. Skylar, on the other hand, quietly sat down on a sofa.
“The first thing I want to discuss is about me and Bianca,” Dave said. “I will no longer have any relationship with her. So, please leave her alone.”
Both Skylar and Lucas’s eyes lit up at his words, but they were still surprised by his sudden decision.
“Are you sure about this?” Lucas asked carefully. “Are you really done with her?”
“You have enough people watching me. You would know if I was lying,” Dave replied bluntly.
This response made Lucas feel a little embarrassed.
“Franklin said the girls who disappeared from around me were sent by you to other cities,” Dave continued in a cold tone. “I’m sure you know better than I do what happened to them. I don’t want to dig too deep into this because I still have some respect for you. For years, I’ve never confronted you about my mother’s ashes being scattered. You’re the one I respect most in the family. I really don’t want to hate you.”