2.

The Choice of Her Heart

Episode 2: The Unspoken War

A thick silence followed Lucian’s words, stretching through the boardroom like an invisible noose.

Evelyn could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze on her, waiting—watching—for her reaction. But she had learned long ago how to mask her emotions, how to stay composed in the face of uncertainty.

She simply smiled, a polite, distant curve of her lips. “I appreciate your concern, Mr. Hale,” she said smoothly.

Lucian’s emerald-green eyes gleamed, but he said nothing.

Damian leaned back in his chair, exuding calm, but Evelyn knew better. The way his fingers tapped lightly against the polished table, the way his jaw clenched just slightly—he was irritated.

And Damian Whitmore never tolerated irritation for long.

“Since the pleasantries are over,” Damian said coldly, “let’s get back to business.”

Lucian’s smirk didn’t fade. “Of course. Business.”

Evelyn exhaled silently, focusing back on the meeting as the conversation resumed.

The board members shifted uncomfortably, picking up on the unspoken tension. They continued discussing the European market expansion, but Evelyn knew this was no longer just about business.

It was about dominance.

Control.

Damian’s voice was sharp and decisive as he laid out Whitmore Corporation’s plans for the merger. “We have already secured partnerships with several key investors,” he said. “By the time this deal is finalized, our company will have full leverage over the market.”

Lucian tilted his head slightly. “Impressive.” His fingers traced absent patterns on the table, as if unimpressed despite his words. “But I wouldn’t count on things going smoothly.”

A muscle in Damian’s jaw twitched. “We’re prepared for any challenges.”

Lucian’s smirk deepened. “Good. Because Hale Enterprises isn’t stepping aside.”

Evelyn could practically feel the electricity crackling between them.

Lucian leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. “Let’s be clear, Whitmore. You’re used to winning. You’ve built an empire on crushing competition. But this time…” His voice lowered, edged with something dangerous. “You won’t find it so easy.”

Damian didn’t blink. “I never do.”

The challenge hung in the air like smoke, thick and suffocating.

The other board members looked between them nervously. No one dared to interrupt.

Evelyn, however, had had enough.

She reached for her tablet, flipping through some documents with cool efficiency. “Regardless of competition,” she interjected smoothly, “this merger will come down to more than just ambition. It will be about strategy.”

Both men looked at her.

Lucian’s gaze lingered for a second longer than necessary before he smiled. “Then I suppose we’ll see who has the better strategy.”

Damian’s expression was unreadable, but Evelyn could feel his stare on her.

She refused to react.

Instead, she turned to the board members. “If there are no further questions, we should conclude the meeting.”

One of the senior executives nodded quickly, eager to escape the tension. “Agreed.”

With that, the meeting officially ended.

Chairs scraped against the floor as the executives stood, exchanging quiet murmurs before filing out of the room.

Damian pushed his chair back, adjusting his cufflinks. He shot Lucian one last glance before looking at Evelyn. “I’ll meet you in the car,” he said. His tone was neutral, but she knew it wasn’t a request—it was a command.

She nodded, keeping her expression carefully composed. “Of course.”

He left the boardroom without another word.

And suddenly, it was just her and Lucian.

The silence between them was suffocating.

Evelyn could feel the ghosts of the past clawing at the edges of her mind, but she refused to give them space.

She turned to gather her things, determined to leave before he could speak.

But then, his voice stopped her.

“Did you miss me, Evelyn?”

Her fingers stilled.

For a moment, she closed her eyes, willing herself to feel nothing.

Then, slowly, she turned to face him. Her first love. Her biggest regret.

And she smiled—calm, unreadable. “Twelve years, Lucian.” She tilted her head slightly. “You assume too much.”