Chapter 53
Evelyn's tone was a bit stiff.
She felt Benjamin's gaze from the driver's seat and frowned slightly, pressing her red lips together.
"I didn't mean to lose my temper with you. I'll handle the Brown family matter myself."
Using this incident to send a warning to everyone at the Thomas Group wouldn't be a bad idea either.
As she fell silent, only the muffled sound of car horns from outside remained, making the atmosphere inside the car feel heavy and oppressive.
Since her rebirth, she'd been focused on revenge and repaying debts.
But neither was going smoothly.
Was it because of the past life memories that she'd placed too many expectations on Benjamin?
Perhaps the most important lesson from living twice was learning not to rely on others anymore.
The Thomas Group.
"The relocation compensation is higher than the government's basic requirements, with a five percent margin for negotiation."
Fallon summarized the relocation plan, her eyes resting on Evelyn's face with a thoughtful expression.
"What, do I have something on my face?" Evelyn looked up, raising her eyebrows slightly.
"This is a joint project between the White Group and the Thomas Group. Sending this relocation document directly without going through the White Group first doesn't seem right."
"It's fine, he won't care about such small matters."
Evelyn's eyes returned to the computer screen. "Just send the project document to the relocation office and have them follow it."
Her pale fingers tapped on the steering wheel as she'd already switched topics.
"Notify all departments to stop all cooperation with the Brown Group."
"Okay... what?"
It wasn't that Fallon couldn't keep her composure—Evelyn's order was just too sudden.
Not to mention that with Evelyn's current position, she didn't have the authority to make such a decision. Plus, the cooperation between the Brown Group and the Thomas Group was something she had pushed for herself.
Now, with one sentence, Evelyn wanted to end it all.
This was too reckless.
"Which word didn't you hear clearly?" Evelyn didn't even look up.
Seeing her like this, Fallon couldn't help but frown.
"Are you so used to being a spoiled rich girl that you just do whatever pops into your head?"
"Business partnerships are decisions reached after negotiations between both parties. They can't just end with one sentence."
"If we break the contract first, do you know how much we'll have to pay in penalties?"
Only after she finished did Evelyn look up. "Don't you know about the scandal involving the Brown Group?"
Meeting Fallon's surprised expression, she continued.
"Orson is suspected of bribery and bid-rigging. The whole industry is distancing itself from the Brown Group."
"If we don't stop cooperating with the Brown Group now, are we just waiting for trouble to come knocking?"
Timothy, standing at the door, smiled with relief upon hearing this.
When Timothy learned about the Brown Group's problems, he had been worried that Evelyn would cry and beg him to help the Brown Group like last time.
Now he could relax. Evelyn had finally grown up.
The Brown Group.
As companies kept announcing they were ending cooperation with the Brown Group, Orson swept the documents off his desk and cursed viciously.
"They're all opportunists kicking us when we're down."
When Sophia came in, she saw the mess on the floor and Orson's impotent rage.
She frowned, her eyes showing disdain.
"You fall apart at the first sign of trouble. What good are you?"
"You think I'm falling apart?"
Orson had been beaten up over the scheme to set up Evelyn last time and was already full of resentment.
Now with the Brown Group in danger and Sophia mocking him, his anger was about to overflow.
"If it wasn't for your terrible idea, how would things have gotten this bad?"
"Sophia, I'm telling you."
"If you don't solve the Brown Group's problems within ten days, I'll use you for an arranged marriage!"
"The Brown Group's cash flow absolutely cannot be cut off!"
The muscles on Orson's face twitched slightly as he stared at Sophia like she was merchandise.
Her heart went cold.
Compared to the warm family atmosphere of the Thomas family, the Brown family puts profit first.
Years ago, when the Brown Group was in danger, the Brown family had wanted to marry her off to an old man from the Hernandez family for profit. It was Evelyn's help that changed her fate.
But Sophia wasn't grateful to Evelyn for this. Instead, her hatred burned even hotter.
Why was Evelyn born a princess with everyone loving her?
She was just a pawn for her family to trade for profit. Her hands clenched into fists as she stared at Orson.
"Mom and Dad won't let you do this!"
"Sophia," Orson sneered, "do you really think Mom and Dad care about you, their money-losing daughter? They only valued you because of your good relationship with Evelyn and the benefits you could bring to the company. Now, will they still help you?"
He walked over and patted her face in a humiliating manner.
"Two weeks. If you can't convince Evelyn to continue cooperating with the Brown Group, you'd better clean yourself up and find some rich man's bed to crawl into."
Evelyn had been busy getting familiar with the Thomas Group's affairs and making sure to keep the employees in line. She barely had time to think about anything else.
She and Benjamin lived under the same roof, but they only saw each other morning and evening.
As for Matthew, she had even less time to think about him.
Until Matthew showed up in her office.
"Coming here at this hour—what, can't sit still anymore?"
She glanced at the wheelchair beneath him and clicked her tongue. "Are you worried about being kicked out of the Thomas family, or are you afraid something will happen to Sophia?"
Evelyn's direct and sharp words washed away almost all traces of the weak, easily bullied persona she once had.
Matthew looked into her eyes, his voice somewhat hoarse. "Who exactly are you targeting?"
"Will you break up with Sophia?"
She leaned back in her chair, seeming to seriously consider the question. "I thought you two were basically one unit."
Behind the desk, she wore a business suit with her long hair tied up, looking capable yet playful.
Her light makeup was refined and elegant, making Evelyn seem like she'd suddenly grown up a lot.
He looked at her deeply. "She's your best friend..."
"I don't want to keep repeating what she's done. After all, I can't wake someone who's pretending to sleep, and I don't want to waste my breath over and over again."
Evelyn cut him off directly, not wanting to rehash old arguments.
Why should she save someone who wronged her?
Not kicking her when she's down was already generous enough.
"In the end, it's still because of me." Matthew clenched his fists. "Because I developed feelings for her? This can be explained."
She laughed lightly, playful and lively.
"You're still misunderstanding. Who you have feelings for is your business and has nothing to do with me."
"If you feel bad for Sophia, you can marry her—as long as she's willing."
In her past life, she'd had vague feelings about this, but because Sophia had her wrapped around her finger, she never looked into it deeply.
Now Evelyn was certain—the person in Sophia's heart was Benjamin. How could Sophia possibly marry anyone else?
"I won't marry her. I was only good to her before because of you. Evelyn, I didn't see my own heart clearly before. Now you're the only one in my heart."
Did she have "easy to fool" written on her face?
Was Matthew still trying to deceive her at a time like this?
Evelyn rolled her eyes, got up, and walked to the window to look at the heavy traffic outside, not wanting to deal with his expression.
She didn't notice there was now another figure at the door. Matthew had already wheeled himself behind her.
"Evelyn, break off your engagement with Benjamin. Let's get married."