Chapter 92 Know Your Place
The door closed softly behind Maya.
Silence settled in the room heavily.
Evelyn remained seated, her posture relaxed, her fingers resting lightly on the file in front of her. She did not rush to speak. She simply watched.
Maya took a few slow steps forward, her heels echoing faintly against the polished floor. There was confidence in her stride, as she walked like she owned the office.
Her lips curved faintly.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Evelyn met her gaze without blinking.
“Neither did I.”
For a brief moment, the air between them stilled.
Then Maya let out a soft, amused breath.
“I heard you had a miscarriage.”
Evelyn’s throat tightened for the slightest second, but her expression did not change.
“That has nothing to do with why you’re here,” she said calmly. “Let’s focus on business—if you’re capable.”
Maya laughed lightly.
“Oh, I’m capable,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “Just not of pretending.”
Her gaze sharpened.
“I know you were never pregnant when you married Nathan’s uncle.”
The words landed quietly. But they cut deep.
Evelyn stilled.
Maya took another step closer, her voice lowering, more deliberate now.
“It was all a façade,” she continued. “And honestly… I still can’t believe someone like Roman would lower himself for you.”
Her lips curled slightly in distaste.
“It makes me sick.”
The silence stretched.
Evelyn did not interrupt.
Maya smiled faintly, as though enjoying the space she had created.
“You weren’t pregnant,” she went on. “So how exactly did you have a miscarriage?”
She folded her arms.
“I don’t understand what you were trying to prove with that pregnancy lie. Respect? Validation? Or were you just trying to win over the old man?”
Her tone turned sharper.
“And when you realized you couldn’t even get pregnant…”
She gave a soft, mocking laugh.
“You made up a story.”
Her eyes flickered with cruel amusement.
“You really can’t do anything right.”
She paused.
“That’s why taking your fiancé was so easy.”
The words hung in the air.
Evelyn inhaled slowly. Then she finally spoke.
“I don’t understand why you’re bringing this kind of shitty story into a meeting room,” she said quietly. “In case you’ve forgotten, this is a business setting.”
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
“We’re here to discuss work.”
She raised her brows.
“Oh—wait.”
Her lips curved, just slightly.
“I forgot. You’re a fallen, wannabe actress, and don't know anything about business or office decorum.”
Maya’s expression shifted instantly.
“What?”
Evelyn tilted her head, her tone calm, almost thoughtful.
“What happened to your acting career?”
The question landed harder than shouting ever could.
“And you also expect me to believe that story of yours?” she continued. “A miscarriage at three months?”
She let out a soft scoff.
“If you really wanted one, you wouldn’t have needed to wait that long.”
Her gaze turned cold.
“You threw yourself down the stairs because Nathan—your pretty little prize, stopped being useful.”
Maya’s face flushed instantly.
“Do you have proof?” she snapped, clenching her fists tightly. “Because I can easily sue you for defamation.”
Evelyn’s lips curved into a small, dangerous smile.
“And I could do the same.”
Silence fell again.
Evelyn leaned back slightly in her chair, her gaze steady.
“I don’t understand why you still try to act superior in front of me,” she said. “You stole Nathan.”
A faint pause.
“No—collected him.”
Her voice remained soft, but the words were precise.
“He was never worth much to begin with.”
Maya’s jaw tightened.
“It would have been interesting, though,” Evelyn continued, almost idly. “Watching you call me ‘aunt’ and pretend to show me proper respect.”
Her tone turned mocking
“Too bad Nathan was disowned, and that opportunity was gone.”
Her gaze lingered on Maya for a while.
“I wonder where Nathan is, actually.”
Maya’s expression changed immediately.
“No need to pretend,” Maya said quickly, her tone turning sharp again. “You’re not as important as you think. You’re just someone the Sinclair family will discard eventually.”
Maya let out a small, mocking laugh.
“At least I have someone who values me,” she added. “More than his own daughter.”
Evelyn’s fingers clenched slightly.
“Even if you try to flaunt your position as the Hayes family’s princess,” she said, “it doesn’t move me.”
Her gaze locked onto Maya’s.
“Because between the two of us…”
She let her words linger.
“I think being Roman Sinclair’s wife opens doors the Hayes family wouldn’t even dare approach.”
Maya gritted her teeth hard.
“You can keep playing princess for your father,” Evelyn continued quietly. “While I become something far more difficult to replace.”
Her eyes flickered briefly.
“Look around.”
Maya didn’t move.
Evelyn gestured lightly.
“I invited you. You’re standing, and I’m sitting.”
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Maya’s mouth opened slightly, then closed again.
Her face flushed red.
“Y-you—”
She stopped herself, then turned sharply and pulled out the chair, dropping into it with clear irritation.
Evelyn’s lips curved faintly.
“What?” she said smoothly. “I thought we were discussing status.”
Without waiting for a response, she opened the file in front of her.
“Now that you’re done embarrassing yourself… let’s discuss business.”
Her voice became calm again, professional, and controlled.
“The Westline project is not something Hayes can force their way into,” she said. “But under the right structure… participation is possible.”
Her voice trailed.
—-
About an hour later, the office doors flew open.
Maya stormed out.
Her heels struck the floor in sharp, uneven rhythms, her expression dark with barely restrained anger.
Her assistant, who had been waiting anxiously outside, straightened immediately.
“M-Miss Maya, how did it—”
“Why didn’t you come in?” Maya snapped, stopping abruptly.
The assistant flinched.
“I—I thought you wanted to handle it alone—”
“You thought?” Maya let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You know I’m not used to dealing with these kinds of negotiations.”
The assistant pushed her glasses up nervously. “I’m sorry, I—”
“Forget it.”
Maya pressed her fingers to her temple, exhaling sharply as she resumed walking.
“I couldn’t even understand half of what she was saying,” she muttered under her breath. “And that mouth of hers…”
Her expression twisted.
“…when did she get so sharp?”
She scoffed softly.
“I didn’t even get the chance to properly shut her up.”
She lifted her head, and froze.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
“Mr. Sinclair!”
She quickened her pace.
“Mr. Sinclair!”
Up ahead, Marcus slowed.
He had been walking with a group of executives, but at the sound of her voice, he turned—his sharp gaze landing on her without warmth.
Maya’s steps faltered for the briefest moment under that look, but she quickly recovered, forcing a smile.
“I was hoping to have a word with you.”
Marcus glanced at the others.
“I’ll see you later.”
They nodded and moved on, their voices lowering as they walked away.
“Isn’t that Richard’s stepdaughter?”
“Which Richard?”
“Hayes.”
“…Ah.”
Their voices faded.
Silence settled.
Marcus turned back to her fully.
“What is it?”
His tone was calm, and cold.
Maya clasped her hands lightly, her smile cautious now.
“The other day… when you met with my father,” she began carefully, “you mentioned letting us into the project without resistance.”
She hesitated.
“So I was wondering… why it suddenly looks like we’re trying to take it by force? The media—”
Marcus raised a hand.
She stopped immediately.
“You’re not in a position to question me,” he said flatly.
Maya’s smile stiffened.
“I know what I’m doing.”
His gaze sharpened slightly.
“Just play along.”
Then, he added more quietly.
“Your involvement will serve its purpose.”
Maya blinked.
Marcus continued, his tone almost indifferent.
“And when certain people are provoked… consequences will follow.”
He held her gaze just long enough for the meaning to settle.
“You don’t need to understand everything.”
Maya’s expression shifted.
Her eyes brightened.
Understanding dawned on her.
“Oh…”
A soft laugh escaped her.
“I see.”
She dipped her head slightly.
“I shouldn’t have questioned you. That was my mistake.”
Marcus didn’t respond.
“I’ll leave you to your work.”
She stepped back.
Marcus gave her one last unreadable look.
“I always know what I’m doing.”
Then he walked away.
—
The moment he disappeared from sight, Maya’s smile turned dark and twisted.
“Evelyn…”
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“You really think you’ve won?”
She let out a quiet laugh.
“Getting into the Sinclair family… you’ve only made things worse for yourself.”
Her eyes gleamed.
“You don’t even know who you’re trying to stand against.”
Her lips curled.
“Even Roman might not be able to protect you this time.”
She raised her head proudly.
“I’ll enjoy watching you fall.”
—
“Look who we have here.” A soft, sweet voice called out.
Maya stiffened.
She turned sharply, and saw a striking blonde woman walking toward her with effortless elegance, her pink corporate outfit standing out against the muted tones of the office.
Each step was measured, and graceful.
Her presence drew attention without trying.
Maya frowned slightly.
“And you are?”
The woman stopped in front of her. Smiled slowly.
“Your worst nightmare.”