BACK WITH THE BILLIONAIRE’S ONLY SON

CHAPTER FIVE: WILL EVA TAKE REVENGE?

EVA’S POV

I sat at my cluttered desk, surrounded by stacks of files that needed my attention. My phone rang, displaying the Valentinos' caller ID, and I let out a frustrated sigh. Every call from them was a constant reminder of how they had picked me up from the depths of poverty and helped me get back on my feet. I was tired of hearing about their generosity, especially when I knew it came with strings attached.

As the phone continued to ring, I silenced it with an annoyed swipe, determined to focus on my work.

Just then, my office door flew open, and Lola, my personal assistant, rushed in with a worried look. I could sense that something was off and I was right. Mrs. Valentino followed closely behind her, her presence as imposing as her sharp red stilettos.

I nodded at Lola and discreetly gestured for her to leave us alone.

Mrs. Valentino, exuding an air of condescension, settled into a chair without so much as a polite request. Her judgmental gaze swept my office before landing back on me.

"Is this the best you could do with the space?" she scoffed, rolling her eyes in a show of exaggerated disdain. "I always knew you weren't good at many things, but I never thought the skill of decoration would elude you."

My blood boiled, but I swallowed my anger. I had no choice but to tolerate her rudeness due to the mess Dante had dragged my entire family into.

Mrs. Valentino wasted no time. "Eva, we need to talk."

I took a deep breath, bracing myself for what was to come. "Alright, let's cut to the chase. What do you want?"

Leaning forward, her expression turned serious. "We've supported you to build your company, Eva. Now it's time to repay the debt you owe us."

I clenched my jaw, my patience running out. "I've been repaying the debt with interest."

She rolled her eyes and ignored my comment. "What we want from you is quite simple actually.” She paused and pressed her red lips together. “We just need you to get close to Dante, to gain his trust and get access into his life."

I scoffed with defiance. "That's never happening. I want nothing to do with him."

Mrs. Valentino leaned in, her eyes bearing into mine, relentless and domineering. For a moment, it felt like she could see through my soul.

"Oh, it'll happen.” She chuckled boldly. “You have no other choice, have you forgotten you signed an agreement that you’ll give us whatever we ask of you?”

I rolled my eyes, recalling that wretched agreement. How foolish of me to have signed that contract. Back then, I was desperate for money.

I folded my arms across my chest. “I’m not going to do this. I have given you several other things over these years. I've destroyed several companies I didn't want to destroy. I've stolen people's ideas, and I've allowed you to rule the company despite being the one in the CEO seat," I said, frustration seeping into my voice.

“Oh, pitiful Eva,” she said, mocking me and feigning a sad expression. “All of those are trivial. Those were merely things my husband wanted temporarily. This is the real price for helping you six years ago. This time it's simple: do this, and we will let you be. You will have the company all to yourself, and you can run it however you please.”

“Why do you want this?” I asked curiously.

“Because we need you to get back your father's company from him, Eva. Ruin him like he ruined you! I know you have it in you. Beneath that facade of innocence you carry, I know there's an uglier side of you, a side that can do despicable things.”

As she spoke, I couldn't help but wonder if she was really talking about me. I had no idea what she was referring to or what gave her the assurance that I was capable of such nonsense.

“Oh stop looking so confused.” She snapped at me. “I’m sure you know by now that no money is clean money in business. You’re here getting all the good contracts and deals only because my husband and I are doing all the dirty work. Just because you pretend you don’t know doesn’t make you better than any of us.”

At this point I was honestly confused, what exactly was she referring to?

She continued, unrelenting. "This isn't a suggestion, Eva. It's an order. If you don't do this, I promise you'll find yourself in worse places than you were six years ago when my husband picked you up.” She rolled her eyes and leaned in closer, her voice low and threatening. “If you thought you were poor that time, I’ll deal with you so much that you’d wish you didn’t exist. You will lose all our support from your company. You'll lose your shares, your position, your investments – everything."

My blood boiled over in anger, it was always one demand after the other, with each one promising to be the last and final demand. I’d gotten tired of their excess demands and threats. I wasn’t interested in getting close to Dante for any reason, I hated him too much to even be around him. I was no longer scared of the Valentino’s, if they want to take the company away from me then they can do so. I had built my brand and influence enough, I’m no longer scared of business thugs like the Valentino’s.

“I’m sorry,” I said with a laugh. “But there’s no way I hell that im going to do that.”

"Hmm,” Mrs Valentino looked taken aback. Most likely because I’d never stood up to her in such a direct manner. She straightened up, trying to fix her posture. “I think it’s best that you think about it while I’m still being nice. Don’t forget you have a son to protect.” She threatened with a plastic smile and rose from her seat. “I'll send you the contract for this deal. Sign it and send the copy back to me." She said finally and left my office, leaving a lingering scent of dominance behind her. It was almost as if she didn’t realize she just told me to befriend a man who had used me and abandoned me years ago.

Deep down I knew that Mrs Valentino was right, a part of me wished to get my revenge, to destroy Dante and see him beg for mercy. I wanted to see him going through the things he made me go through but I wasn’t the Valentino’s lab rat. I can’t allow them control me any longer. Even if I chose to get my revenge on Dante, it’ll have to be on my own terms.