Evans Wood stepped out of the airport terminal, his presence commanding immediate attention. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that hugged his frame, he exuded an aura of cold dominance. The sharp lines of his attire mirrored the ruthless efficiency with which he conducted his business.
Whispers followed him like shadows—rumors of his cutthroat tactics and the way he crushed his competitors in negotiations. He was a business mogul, a wizard of the corporate world, and he had no qualms about leaving a trail of defeated partners in his wake.
As he walked, the throng of people parted, instinctively aware of the power he wielded. Numerous women had tried to capture his attention, but he remained indifferent, his focus solely on his work. He had zero tolerance for distractions, especially from the opposite sex.
His personal assistant, Jack Hills, stood at the exit, flanked by a group of sharply dressed security guards. They formed a protective barrier, their expressions stoic as they awaited his arrival.
"Welcome home, Mr. Evans," Jack said, his voice steady and respectful. The security team bowed slightly, acknowledging their boss with a show of deference.
Marietta George stood beside Jack, the only daughter of the powerful George family. Dressed in a flamboyant red strapless gown that accentuated her curves, she radiated confidence and entitlement. A white fur coat draped elegantly over her shoulders, and her dark eyes sparkled with a mix of admiration and arrogance as she watched the attention Evans garnered.
"Evans," she called, her voice sweet yet laced with an underlying challenge.
He turned, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Marietta had always been a constant presence in his life, a reminder of the marriage that had been arranged since they were children.
"Marietta," he replied, his tone cool and detached.
She stepped closer, a coy smile playing on her lips, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "I heard you were back in town. I wanted to see you."
Evans raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "And here I am. What do you want?"
Her confidence wavered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "I thought we could talk. It's been a long time, and I—"
"I'm busy," he interrupted, his voice firm. "I have meetings to attend."
Marietta's smile faltered, but she quickly masked her disappointment with a haughty laugh. "Oh, come on, Evans. You can spare a moment for me. After all, we were promised to each other since we were small. You wouldn't want to offend me, would you?"
He regarded her with a cool gaze, his mind already shifting to the tasks ahead. "That was a long time ago. I've moved on."
Her heart raced as she felt the weight of his words. "But I haven't. I still believe we could make it work. You and me."
Evans's expression hardened. "What I had with you was a business arrangement. Nothing more. You were a means to an end, and now that end has been achieved."
Marietta's arrogance flared, but she quickly adopted a more coquettish demeanor, tilting her head and batting her eyelashes. "You can't deny the chemistry we had. You can't just throw it all away. I've always gotten what I wanted, Evans. And I want you."
As the daughter of the George family, she had been pampered since birth, her every whim catered to. With their influence, she had risen to become an A-list actress, her fame bolstered by the power of her family. She loved the spotlight, and she loved the power that came with it—especially the power of the Wood family.
But beneath her confident exterior lay a vulnerability that she rarely showed. Marietta had always been the center of attention, the darling of the media, yet the thought of losing Evans gnawed at her. She had loved him for years, not just for his looks or his wealth, but for the strength he embodied. He was everything she aspired to be—powerful, unyielding, and utterly captivating.
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Chemistry doesn't build empires, Marietta. I have no interest in revisiting the past."
With that, he turned on his heel, striding away with purpose, leaving Marietta standing there, her heart heavy with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.
As he walked away, she felt the sting of rejection, but deep down, she knew she wouldn't give up that easily. She had been spoiled her entire life, and she was determined to get what she wanted.
"Evans!" she called after him, her voice tinged with desperation. "You can't just walk away from this!"
He paused, glancing back at her, his expression unreadable. "I can and I will. You need to understand that I'm not the same person you once knew."
Marietta's heart sank at his words, but she pressed on, her voice softer now. "I've changed too. I'm not just the pampered daughter of the George family. I've worked hard to build my career, and I want you to be a part of my life."
He studied her for a moment, and she could see the conflict in his eyes. For a brief second, she thought she might break through his icy exterior.
"Marietta," he said finally, his voice low, "you're talented, and you've achieved a lot. But I'm not looking for a relationship. I have my own path to follow."
Her heart ached at his rejection, but she refused to back down. "You don't have to do this alone, Evans. We could be a power couple. Together, we could achieve so much more."
He shook his head, a hint of frustration crossing his features. "I don't need anyone, especially not someone who thinks they can manipulate me with charm and beauty."
Marietta felt a surge of anger at his words, but she quickly masked it with a smile. "I'm not trying to manipulate you. I'm being honest. I care about you, and I always have."
Evans's gaze softened for just a moment, and she seized the opportunity. "You know I've always admired your strength and ambition. I want to be by your side, to support you."
He hesitated, and for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a crack in his armor. But then he steeled himself, the cold facade returning. "I don't need your support, Marietta. I need to focus on my business."
With that, he turned away, leaving her standing there, her heart heavy with unfulfilled longing.
As he walked away, she felt the sting of rejection, but deep down, she knew she wouldn't give up that easily. She had been pampered and spoiled her entire life, and she was determined to get what she wanted.
Evans Wood may have been cold and ruthless, but she loved him and the power he wielded. The power of the Wood family was intoxicating, and she would fight to reclaim his attention, no matter the cost.
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