Her Billion Dollar Exit

HIM

EVELYN

When I was contracted for this job and handed the details in a file, I hadn’t gone through anything to ascertain who exactly I was about to work for.

And now, surprise, surprise…

I sat inside the conference room, pretending to be fully immersed in what one of his business associates had to say.

But I couldn’t fully concentrate on anything… nothing but his eyes on me. He was shameless about the way he stared, so much that gradually, all the anger I harbored in my heart for him because of how he’d treated me all those years ago stirred up afresh.

“You’re asking for a lot of money just to help us. We’re only asking you to be a little considerate.”

I only caught the last part of the board member’s speech. I felt Arthur’s gaze burning into my skin as a frown settled on my face.

“I’m not here to help you, sir. That’s where you’re mistaken.” My voice was calm but firm. “I’m here for business. My company has already stated the amount we’re comfortable accepting. I came here to discuss redevelopment plans and present my proposals. Renegotiating the price was never part of the agenda.”

I turned to Arthur, who was still staring at me as though he’d seen a ghost.

“Or am I missing something, Mr. Hayes?”

His chair stopped rocking, and for a long moment, he simply looked at me.

“That was the plan,” He finally said. “To discuss the redevelopment. But we’re… facing a crisis.”

The word seemed to fight its way out of his throat. Of course. He was still too proud. And that meant I still had work to do, because I needed this man on his knees.

“I understand how reducing the amount we discussed would be hard for you,” Arthur continued. “So we’d like to propose an alternative. We’ve already made a deposit. The remaining balance can be paid in installments. We’re willing to compensate your company with interest for the delayed payment. The interest can either be added to each installment or paid separately at the end… whichever arrangement suits you best.”

There was not a trace of pleading in his voice. Just pure negotiation. The audacity of this man to sit here and ask me for a favor after everything he’d done to me.

I inhaled slowly, then smiled mirthlessly, “I won’t be accepting any renegotiations.”I paused to let that sink in. “Either we proceed under the original terms, or I refund every cent that has already been paid.”

I rose from my seat at that.

Several board members immediately stood as well, exchanging confused glances before looking toward Arthur, who remained seated.

“Please.” One of them started. “You may have just returned to the city, but you can look us up. We always keep our promises.”

That finally earned my full attention. My gaze slid to Arthur.

“Do you?”The mocking edge in my voice cut through the room. He was the only one that could understand the underlying meaning in my question.

I turned back to the speaker now.

“I know exactly who you are. In fact, I know enough to understand that the debt hanging over this company is more than enough to sink it.” I paused. “So tell me… do you really believe redevelopment is your biggest problem right now?”

There was silence. My eyes dropped briefly to the table where Arthur’s hands were clenched into tight fists.

When I looked up again, a small smirk curved my lips.

“We’ll pay in full,” He said at last, with a stern look in my direction.

Every head turned toward him.

He added after, “Sit down, Miss Carter.”

The condescending command in his voice caused my annoyance to triple.

“I’m not your dog.” I snapped back at once. “You can ask me to sit politely, or don’t ask at all.”

The room froze.

“You should learn basic manners, Mr. Hayes. Though judging by your behavior, that seems to be a skill you never acquired.”

A thick silence blanketed the conference room.

Then, without breaking eye contact, I calmly lowered myself back into my chair. Nobody moved, or spoke for the next minute.

Finally, I folded my hands on the table and smiled brightly.

“Now then…” I said with cheer. “Where were we?”

The board members exchanged uneasy glances before slowly taking their seats. A few quiet murmurs passed around the room, and finally, the meeting truly began.

We spoke on the redevelopment, with Arthur barely saying anything until the end of the meeting.

On my way out of the conference room, Arthur came to stand in front of me. Gritting my teeth, I looked up at him.

Nothing had changed. I noticed, having looked closer now. He still had a perfect face and a perfect physique, which both hid an ugly heart. A devilish one at that.

“Mr Hayes, the meeting is over. Whatever you want to say now couple easily been said in the course of the meeting.”

“It’s personal.” He countered. I almost laughed at how he thought that would suddenly mean something.

“And what gave you the impression that I would want a personal discussion with you?”

“Evelyn, I just want to talk—”

“Uh-uh. It’s Miss Carter to you. And there’s nothing to talk about.”

I brushed past him at that, and exited the room.

On my way out, I had to admit to myself that I handled this well. Even if seeing Arthur again was the last thing I expected today, as I had not gone through the files. I returned to the city not too long ago for work. Professional reasons only. I’d carried out my revenge in the best way already—owning the debt that could render him bankrupt with a flick of my fingers.

And now, I get to do more…