Chapter 56: Alex refused to invest in our project.

Outside the closed door, Tahlia froze.

She had come to deliver a file, but the moment she heard his voice, she stopped with her hand raised to knock.

For several seconds, she couldn’t move.

’Did I hear it wrongly?’ she wondered.

Soren Vale, who had treated his wife as if she meant nothing to him, openly admitted he loved Elowen.

Tahlia curled her fingers into a tight fist as she lowered her hand.

"I will never think of leaving her," Soren continued from inside the office. "I’ve already wasted seven years making her suffer. Not anymore."

Tahlia’s heart sank. She had never heard him speak so regretfully before.

Then Soren delivered the words that had shattered whatever hope she had been clinging to.

"She is pregnant with my child again."

The file slipped from her grip. Tahlia caught it before it could hit the floor, but her fingers had gone numb.

’Pregnant? Elowen is pregnant again?’

Tahlia stared at the closed door, unable to accept what she had just heard.

Back then, Soren had been forced to stay with Elowen because she had been carrying Seraphina. After seven years, when he should finally get rid of her, she was pregnant again.

The future Tahlia had imagined with Soren was crumbling before her eyes.

Her fingers tightened around the file until the edge bent.

’She is using the child again to trap Soren with her. No... I won’t accept it.’

She wouldn’t stand aside and watch Elowen build a life with Soren. Her face tightened as her eyes blazed in rage.

’I don’t believe Soren has fallen in love with her. How could he love the woman he spent years resenting? Elowen must have forced him with the baby.’

She strode away without delivering the file.

~~~~~~~~~

Later that afternoon...

Elowen gathered the sketches she had finished, slipped them into a folder, and headed toward the CEO’s office. She had barely walked halfway down the corridor when Daphne stepped into her path.

"Oh, look who we have here. The chief designer, Elowen Vale." Daphne flashed a mocking smile. "Where are you hurrying off to?"

Elowen didn’t want to waste her time on Daphne. "I have something important to discuss with Mr. Knox. Step aside."

"Hmm..." She nodded, pretending to be thinking. "I have noticed you have been going into his office quite often these days. And that day, you left with him in his car. I saw it."

She leaned over, her voice dropping to a murmur. "You disappeared from the office for hours. What were you doing with him? Did you two..."

She deliberately didn’t finish the sentence, smiling meaningfully. The implication was obvious. Daphne was trying to provoke her, hoping to get a reaction she could use against her.

Elowen didn’t waver. "Someone with a trash-filled mind can only think about trash."

She stepped around Daphne and continued toward the CEO’s office.

Daphne moved quickly and tugged at Elowen’s arm forcefully, pulling her back.

"Don’t act cocky. Don’t think I don’t see anything. You somehow managed to seduce the CEO into giving you the chief designer position. You keep following him wherever he goes. You spent hours in his office in the name of work."

Her grip around Elowen’s arm tightened. "Don’t think we don’t know what you are doing behind that closed door. You’ve manipulated him so quickly that he has even taken you to a business party. Do you think no one notices what you are doing?"

Elowen’s eyes set with defiance. "Let go of me." She jerked her arm free from her grip.

Daphne was too consumed with his own anger. She let out a contemptuous snort.

"People can see right through you. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? You are already married and a mother of a six-year-old daughter. Yet you are going after an unmarried man. What kind of woman does that?"

Her features grew taut into a look of menace.

"You are nothing but a bitch."

Daphne shoved Elowen hard.

Everything happened so quickly. Before Elowen could understand anything, her body stumbled backward.

The folder slipped out of her grasp. She struggled to regain her balance. For a terrifying second, she thought she was going to fall.

Then a strong hand caught her arm and pulled her upright.

Surprised, she looked up.

Theron stood behind her, one arm supporting her as he steadied her against him. His face was etched with concern.

"Elowen. Are you okay?"

Elowen became suddenly aware of how close they were. Her back almost touched his chest. His hand was still wrapped around her arm.

She stepped aside, putting some distance between them.

"I’m okay." Her voice came out a little breathless.

She bent to pick up the folder.

Theron’s gaze turned razor-sharp the moment he looked at Daphne. Every trace of concern disappeared from his face, replaced by a chilling expression that made the temperature around them drop several degrees.

"What did you do this time?"

Daphne flinched.

"I-I didn’t do anything," she stammered, waving her hands frantically. "I was just passing by. I have no idea how she suddenly lost her balance."

Theron stared at her without blinking. He had seen what had just happened.

Daphne had clearly shoved Elowen. Yet she had the audacity to lie to his face.

Theron’s nostrils flared. He felt the overwhelming urge to throw Daphne out of the company. But it would be an easy escape. He wouldn’t let her slip away without making her pay dearly for what she did.

"Go get me some coffee. Don’t cause any more trouble here."

Daphne didn’t argue. Turning on her heel, she hurried away, almost stumbling in her haste to escape his icy glare. She was afraid he would do something to her if she stayed there a little longer.

Only after she disappeared around the corner did Theron turn back to Elowen, his expression softening.

"Are you sure you are okay?" He studied her face, his concern returning. "You look pale."

"I’m fine. Really." She looked down at the folder in her hands. "I revised the design according to your suggestions."

Theron looked at her for another moment, not entirely convinced by her answer.

"Come. Let’s talk inside."

Theron pushed the door open and held it for her.

Elowen entered first, and he followed, closing it behind him.

Once they settled across from each other, Elowen opened the folder and pushed it across the table toward him.

"Please take a look at the revised designs. If you still want any changes, let me know."

Theron glanced at the sketches, but he didn’t make a move to pull the folder toward him. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and let out a weary sigh.

He looked exhausted.

Elowen frowned. "What is it, Theron? You don’t like the designs."

"No. The designs are good. That’s not bothering me. It’s something else."

The exhaustion in his voice made her uneasy.

"What is the matter?"

Theron pressed the heels of his hands against his temples. "I don’t think we can start the project anytime soon."

Elowen’s heart sank. "Why? Has something happened?"

"Alex had refused to invest in the project."

"What?" Elowen couldn’t believe it. "Didn’t he agree before? Why would he suddenly back out?"

Theron shrugged. "No idea. Just now, I received his call. He said he wouldn’t be able to invest in our project."

He let out a humorless chuckle. "Compared with the mega project he has just joined, the Eden District development is nothing. That’s how he put it."

Elowen looked displeased. "But he promised you first. How could he go back on his word just because he got a better deal? This is unprofessional."

She leaned forward, hope still shining in her eyes. "We should talk to him. If we explain how much we have invested in planning this project, maybe he will reconsider."

Theron shook his head in dismay. "There is no point. Alex has already made up his mind. He won’t listen to anyone."

After a moment of pause, he added, "I know who is behind it." The exhaustion remained, but his expression turned sharper with anger and grim certainty. "I know who is pulling the strings."

"Who?" Elowen asked, curious and anxious at the same time.

"Soren Vale."