Chapter 204
Not long ago, UME Robotics had been riding a wave of good press, nearly matching the buzz created by Fawkes Enterprises. But Fawkes had deep pockets and even deeper influence–before long, UME’s moment in the spotlight was snuffed out.
Evangeline couldn’t bring herself to pour money into flashy marketing campaigns. Instead, she planned to do her own networking and find partners the old–fashioned
way.
Tonight’s birthday gala for Old Mrs. Fawkes was a golden opportunity. The Fawkes family had invited every major player in Serenity City: prominent families, business moguls, politicians, and figures from hospitals, schools, and public institutions.
This was her best shot at making connections.
Once she and Soren divorced, she’d never have access to this kind of network again.
“Are you sure about this?” Glenn glanced toward the stage where Soren stood. “You know this might piss him off.”
“I’ve done enough to make Soren angry already–one more thing won’t make a difference,” Evangeline replied coolly. “Besides, business is business. Big companies prey on the weak, and small companies have to fight for every chance they get. Soren’s been in the game long enough to understand that.”
And anyway, even if she didn’t cross him, there was no guarantee Soren would show UME any mercy.
There was no trace of sentimentality in Evangeline’s eyes–just hunger for resources and a future she could build.
Glenn couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or not.
“Glenn.” A deep male voice sounded behind them.
Both Glenn and Evangeline turned.
A middle–aged man approached, dressed in a burgundy suit, exuding a natural authority that needed no anger to be felt.
Evangeline recognized him instantly: Kearney Carlisle, head of the Carlisle family, and Glenn and Theresa’s father.
After his first wife–Glenn and Theresa’s mother–passed away, Kearney had
remarried six times. Some marriages ended in divorce, others in tragedy, and nearly
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every wife had given him a child or two.
Yet, whether wife or child, he always managed to keep the family harmonious and the Carlisle legacy running like clockwork. There had never been a whiff of scandal, inside or out. He was the foundation of the Carlisles to the world, and a capable patriarch at home.
Evangeline had always respected him–until the year he forced Theresa, for the sake of family interests, into an arranged marriage with Victor. Ignoring Theresa’s wishes, he’d even gone so far as to drug her and send her to Victor’s bed when she was on the verge of a breakdown.
After that, Evangeline realized Kearney Carlisle was far more complicated than he appeared.
“Evangeline, good to see you,” Kearney said, offering her a warm smile.
Evangeline still held a grudge over what he’d done to Theresa, but she wasn’t one to turn away a friendly greeting. She gave him a polite, “Mr. Carlisle.”
He smiled, but his eyes were as cold as winter frost. “It’s been a while. You’re as beautiful as ever–you look just like your mother.”
The mention of her mother made Evangeline pause for a moment.
Glenn subtly stepped in front of her, blocking Kearney’s gaze.
“Let’s talk outside,” Glenn said quietly.
No one knew Glenn better than his father. Kearney looked up at his son–now a head taller than himself–and caught the meaning behind the protective stance.
He gave a silent, amused chuckle. After exchanging a few parting words with Evangeline, he turned and headed toward the far end of the ballroom.
Once they were out of sight, Kearney stopped and faced Glenn. “Even if you’ve come back for her, you should know I’ll never let her into the Carlisle family.”
He wouldn’t risk offending the Fawkes family for Evangeline–nor would he jeopardize the Carlisle legacy for one son.
“I know,” Glenn replied coldly, shooting him a piercing look.
He also knew that if he didn’t still have value to the Carlisles, Kearney wouldn’t have let him come back at all.
“But she’s a good kid. As long as you handle things discreetly, I won’t stand in the way
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of whatever relationship you have with her,” Kearney added.
Glenn paused mid–step, then turned to face him. “I may be back with the Carlisles, but let’s be clear–we’re business partners now. My private life isn’t your concern.”
With that, Glenn brushed past him and strode away.
Kearney watched his son’s retreating figure and allowed himself a deep, private smile.
Back inside, Evangeline watched Glenn and Kearney walk off, a little confused. She remembered how bitterly Glenn had fought with his father over Theresa’s marriage–he’d even cut ties with the family for years. Why the sudden rapprochement?
Before she could make sense of it, something happened on stage–Soren and Poppy exchanged a few words, and suddenly a wave of applause swept through the room. Dozens of eyes turned, all at once, toward Evangeline.
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