Chapter 3
Robert lifted his gaze and shot George a cool, indifferent glance.
Robert said, "Uncle George, she's now the lady of the Sutton family, my wife. She belongs in this seat.
"And whether she gets it or not, just listen to her first before you make up your mind."
He handed out the report I prepared to each director in the room.
"This is Evelyn's supplementary analysis of the South City project. Take a look," Robert said.
George Sutton snorted, grabbed the report, and casually flipped through a couple of pages. The disdain on his face grew even stronger.
"All talk, no action. What could a girl in her early twenties possibly know about business? She's just putting on a show for everyone!" George scoffed.
Low, echoing laughter followed from the other directors around the conference table.
My face was on fire, like someone had slapped me right in front of everyone.
Just then, Robert spoke up. His voice was still calm, but there was an undeniable authority in it.
He said, "Uncle George, you own 2% of the company, and you get nearly 30 million dollars in dividends every year.
"If we don't fix the third risk loophole Evelyn pointed out in her report, the project could lose over one billion dollars. With your share, you'd personally lose 20 million dollars."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "Are you sure you still want to say she's just putting on a show?"
George's laughter stopped dead, his smile vanished, and his face went stiff.
He buried himself in the report he'd just mocked, reading it with a seriousness he'd never shown before.
The only sound in the conference room was the rustling of pages.
Everyone went from sneering to tense and then to downright stunned.
Robert looked at me and said in a low voice only I could hear, "When your real strength is on display, any prejudice against you becomes nothing."
In that moment, I finally understood. He didn't bring me here to be embarrassed. He wanted me to witness firsthand how he stood up for me and helped me earn respect.
That gave me more peace of mind than any sweet words ever could.
By the time the meeting ended, no one dared to look at me with even a hint of contempt.
George actually took the initiative to come over, his attitude doing a complete 180.
"Evelyn, you're truly impressive for someone so young! The younger generation really is something to watch out for. I was just being an old fool earlier. Please don't take it to heart," he said.
I gave him a polite smile. "You flatter me, George."
Today, I realized I'd finally earned my footing in the Sutton family.
On the way home, Robert suddenly turned to me and asked, "So, which do you like better? The runaway groom from our wedding day, or the husband who stood up for you and helped you earn your place?"
I was caught off guard.
The lighting in the car was so dim that I couldn't see his face clearly.
I didn't know how I should answer him.
I didn't answer right away.
Silence filled the car, broken only by the steady hum of the engine.
Robert didn't rush me. He just gazed out the window at the streets racing past, his profile standing out clearly in the shifting light and shadows.
I chose my words carefully and said, "Mr. Sutton, we're business partners. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me, and I'll do my best as Mrs. Sutton to contribute to both the Suttons and the Colliers."
I sidestepped his question, giving him the safest and most distant answer possible.
Robert turned to look at me, his eyes deep and unreadable.
"Call me Robert," he said.
"...Robert," I repeated, feeling a bit awkward.
He said, "Evelyn, you're sharp. But sometimes, being a little too clever just makes life harder for yourself."
He suddenly moved closer, the space between us disappearing in a heartbeat.
There was a subtle scent of cedar on him, laced with a trace of tobacco.
My heart missed a beat, and I found myself leaning away without even thinking.
He reached out, not crossing any lines. He just softly tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. His touch was gentle and intimate.
His fingertips were cool as they brushed my skin, sparking a subtle thrill that made me shiver ever so slightly.
"You don't have to play a part," Robert said.
His voice was deep, with a velvety pull that drew me in.
"Just be yourself," he murmured.
He settled back in his seat, making it feel like the whole moment was just my imagination.
But my ears stayed stubbornly red, the warmth refusing to fade.
When we got home, the butler came up to us.
"Mr. Sutton, Mrs. Sutton. Mr. Burton and Ms. Burton are here. They've been waiting in the living room for almost an hour," the butler said.
The Burton family? I couldn't help but think of George, who'd thrown shade at me in the boardroom, and that young woman from the party who'd made snide remarks.
Robert and I exchanged a glance. We both knew exactly why they'd come.
They were here to make a humble apology.
As we stepped into the living room, just as expected, Jacob Burton and Darcie Burton were sitting uneasily on the couch.