Chapter 62: Tahlia is exposed.

Soren’s expression shifted for a moment before he schooled his features into one of surprise.

"What are you talking about? I didn’t even know he was considering investing in the Eden District project. Even if I had known, why would I stop him?"

He squared his shoulders, his tone turning defensive.

"As old partners, it’s only natural for me to ask him to fund my island development project. I never stopped him from investing in other business ventures. If he rejected Theron’s offer, it’s entirely his decision. I’ve nothing to do with it."

Elowen studied him thoroughly.

Soren’s explanation sounded reasonable.

Why would Soren need to stop Alex from funding other ventures? It might be Alex’s decision.

’Theron might have misunderstood the whole situation,’ she thought.

Doubts vanished from her mind, and she felt relaxed. But his next question stiffened her.

"Why? Are you suspecting me? Did Theron say anything to you? Did he try to poison your mind?"

With each question, his voice grew sterner.

"I knew it. That man is nothing but a trouble. You shouldn’t be working for him. My offer is still valid. Join my company."

"Soren, please, don’t start this again," she cut him off sharply. "I told you already. I won’t resign, not now when the company is starting a big project."

Soren looked at her helplessly. He had faced hostile board members, ruthless rivals, and business crises that would have broken most people. He had never been defeated. Yet, he failed to convince his wife.

He couldn’t understand how he could make her change her mind and join his company instead. How was he supposed to protect her when she was so determined to work so closely with the man who was ready to break her marriage?

She let out a deep sigh. "I am not doubting you. I know you will never do that. You will never try to sabotage someone else’s business. I trust you."

Those words gave a jolt to his heart.

’I trust you.’

That sounded so simple, yet terrifying.

Even after everything, Elowen was still willing to trust him. She was giving him another chance when she had every reason to walk away.

Soren’s fingers curled at his sides. If she had ever found out what he was planning to do, she would never forgive him. Her trust in him would shatter.

And maybe he would never be able to earn it back again. But the thought of losing her to Theron was unbearable.

’To defeat Theron and keep him away from my wife, I’ll do anything.’

He steeled his heart. All that mattered to him was keeping Elowen safe. To do that, even if he had to lie, he wouldn’t hesitate.

"I’m going for my prenatal check-up tomorrow," she said as she turned and walked into the closet. "You can come with me if you want."

Soren’s gloomy expression disappeared immediately. His smile returned. "Of course. I’ll go with you."

Inside the closet, Elowen’s lips curled into a rare smile.

During her first pregnancy, Soren had never accompanied her to a single check-up. Back then, she had faced her fear and worry alone, longing for her husband, who had never seemed to care.

But things were different now.

He had agreed to come with her without hesitation. Perhaps he had finally started to understand what she had needed from him all those years. For the first time, she believed that her marriage was moving toward the life she had once dreamed of.

~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning started as usual. After dropping Seraphina off at her school and Elowen at her office, Soren headed to the headquarters of Vale Corporation.

He had just stepped out of the elevator when Kael approached him, looking seemingly distressed.

"Sir, I’ve got everything about that waiter," Kael reported.

"Not here," Soren interrupted him, glancing down the corridor.

No one was around, but he couldn’t be sure that Tahlia wasn’t watching them from somewhere.

"Let’s talk inside."

He pushed the door open and strode in.

Kael followed, closing the door behind him.

Soren settled in the chair behind the large mahogany desk. "What did you find?"

Kael took out a photograph from his folder and placed it on the desk. It showed a waiter serving the guests in the hotel.

"This is the man. He is currently working in the Grant Hotel. He previously worked at the Enchanted Bay Hotel."

At that, Soren froze.

The Enchanted Bay Hotel. The name alone brought back memories he would rather forget.

"I talked to him." Kael’s expression turned grim. "He wasn’t willing to talk first. But after a little pressure, he confessed everything."

He placed a small recorder. "Listen to this."

Kael pressed the play button.

The waiter’s frightened voice filled the room. "Don’t hit me. Please. I’ll tell you everything."

"Don’t even think of lying," Kael’s voice came through the recorder. "Or, I’ll beat you so badly that you will regret the day you were born."

"I’ll tell nothing but the truth. I clearly remember that night seven years ago. An elegant woman approached me and gave me a small pouch of white powder. She told me to put it in a drink and serve it to the young CEO of Vale Corporation."

His voice trembled as he spoke. "She paid me for that. I’ve never seen so much cash in my life. My mother needed knee surgery. I was desperate. I did exactly what she said. I served him the spiked drink."

He sobbed. "I was foolish enough to accept her offer. I’m sorry. Please let me go."

The recording ended.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Soren stared at the recorder, his fingers slowly curling into fists.

"He identified the woman who paid him," Kael said, breaking the silence. "It’s Miss Tahlia."

Soren had already guessed the name, but hearing the confirmation still sent a pang through his chest.

For seven years, he had wrongly accused Elowen, believing she had been the one who had spiked his drink. That belief had poisoned their marriage from the start.

But the real culprit was so close to him, and he failed to catch her sooner.

"It’s her. She drugged me."

Soren’s expression darkened.

Tahlia had just returned home back then. Soren remembered her calling him and telling him that she wanted to start over as if nothing had happened, as if the years she had disappeared from his life meant nothing.

He had rejected her. He had made it clear that he would never get back together with her. And he had believed that his refusal would make her give up.

How wrong he had been.

Tahlia had been so desperate to have him that she had resorted to drugging him and climbing into his bed. She had intended to create a situation in which he would have no choice but to marry her.

But the woman who had ended up in his bed that night was Elowen.

The innocent woman had paid the price of Tahlia’s obsession.

Soren’s face twisted into a menacing scowl. If he had not been drugged that night, Elowen might never have suffered the way she had.

"It’s all because of her," Soren said through his clenched teeth. "Elowen suffered because of her. I’ll never forgive her."

Kael stood stiffly there. "What’s your order, sir?"

Soren’s eyes turned glacial. He had tolerated Tahlia for the sake of their families’ ties. He had let her work at Vale Corporation because of his respect for her father.

But that was over.

"Fire her. Now."