Chapter 42

Evelyn studied Vivian for a long moment before speaking in an eerily calm voice. "You've always been so unbearably arrogant, Vivian."

She rose gracefully from her seat. "If you want Viana Jewelry so badly, consider it yours now."

Vivian's eyes widened in shock. Did this woman just hand over Viana without a fight?

Finally showing some sense.

"I knew you'd see reason eventually." Vivian let out a mocking laugh. "Should've surrendered sooner."

Evelyn crossed the room with measured steps. "This isn't surrender." She stopped inches from Vivian's face. "Consider this a temporary loan. I'll be taking Viana back when the time comes."

She no longer wanted shares. She intended to acquire the entire company!

"You?" Vivian scoffed.

"Me." Evelyn slapped her resignation letter against Vivian's chest with a cold smile. "Start counting the days until you hand Viana back to me."

Grabbing her bag, Evelyn delivered her final blow. "It's time you learned what real threats feel like, Vivian."

All those times Vivian had used Nathan as leverage?

Well, she was about to accept his proposal after all.

Evelyn walked out of Viana without a backward glance.

Vivian stared at the crumpled letter in her hand, dismissing Evelyn's words as empty threats. With the woman gone from Viana, what could she possibly do?

Nathan would always believe and protect her. Evelyn stood no chance.

At Goldmann Group...

Evelyn sat in the executive waiting area, sunglasses shielding her eyes, legs crossed elegantly. Within minutes, Nathan's assistant Oliver Lawson approached.

"Ms. Vanderbilt," Oliver said politely. "Right this way."

She followed him to the private elevator.

Inside the CEO's office...

Nathan barely glanced up from his documents when they entered. Only after Oliver left did his piercing gaze meet hers.

"I knew you'd come," he said, leaning back in his chair.

Evelyn removed her sunglasses and approached his desk. "I should thank you," she said, resting her palms on the polished surface. "Without your little revelation about the shares, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Conversation?" Nathan's eyebrow arched.

Straightening, Evelyn twirled her sunglasses. "Partnership. I'm not just taking your $150 million."

Nathan steepled his fingers. "What do you propose?"

"I'll transform whatever jewelry company you give me into an industry leader within a year," Evelyn stated. "I keep 25% equity, you take all profits, and you stay completely out of my operations."

Their gazes locked in a silent battle. After a tense moment, Nathan nodded. "Agreed."

Evelyn's momentary surprise vanished instantly. "Then I expect you to honor your word."

In one year, she'd have enough to reclaim Viana. He'd better keep his promise.

She signed the contract swiftly and extended it to him. "To a mutually beneficial partnership."

Oliver escorted her to the 16th floor - an entire empty floor with breathtaking city views. Her new office dwarfed the one at Viana.