Chapter 4
Three days later.
Word spread fast in Riverdale's business world: Evercrest Holdings was officially stepping into the domestic market.
Overseas, everyone knew the name. It was basically a legend.
With a market value of 700 billion dollars, Evercrest Holdings had its hands in everything, tech, real estate, finance, healthcare.
But as for who was really in charge? Nobody had a clue. All anyone knew was that the boss of Evercrest Holdings kept a seriously low profile, never showed his face in public, not even once.
The entire Riverdale business world was in an uproar.
Everyone was scrambling to cozy up to the new giant.
Whoever snagged a partnership with Evercrest Holdings would basically rule Riverdale.
The Sinclairs were getting restless too.
*****
I "just so happened" to bump into the Sinclairs at a private dinner party, yeah, it was no accident.
Michael was the one who pulled the strings.
On paper, it was a reception for Evercrest Holdings' launch in Riverdale, hosted on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel.
Pretty much every big name in Riverdale's business world was there.
I showed up fashionably late.
As I pushed open the doors to the banquet hall, the noise inside instantly dropped to a hush.
Every eye in the room snapped to me.
I was wearing a black shirt, collar buttoned up, no tie, sleeves casually rolled up.
I looked like I couldn't care less.
Michael followed half a step behind me, looking more respectful than any bodyguard.
That was enough.
No need to make a show of it.
Everyone in the room could size me up with just one look.
I grabbed a glass of champagne and stood off to the side.
I didn't bother talking to anyone.
Some people came over and offered their business cards. I took them, just nodded, barely said a word.
Fifteen minutes later.
I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Hey, Andrew?"
Her voice went up at the end, full of open surprise, and more than a little mockery.
I turned around.
Chloe Linwood.
Olivia's best friend. The one who used to love throwing shade at me five years ago.
Five years later, and she's still the same.
She was wearing a red off-the-shoulder dress, swirling her wine glass, tilting her head as she sized me up.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
Her voice was loud enough that a few people nearby turned to look.
I didn't say a word.
She stepped in closer, the scent of wine practically smacking me in the face.
"Heard you were back. Olivia said she didn't buy it. Guess it really is true," she smirked, all sarcasm.
"But what are you even doing at a place like this?" She gave me a once-over. "This is Evercrest Holdings' welcome party, everyone here is worth at least 3 million dollars. Did you sneak in, or are you here to serve drinks?"
She let out a laugh, and the two women next to her joined in.
I set my champagne glass down on a waiter's tray.
"Are you done?" I asked.
Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Let me give you some friendly advice, don't embarrass yourself here. Olivia and William will be here soon. What are you even doing, just standing around for everyone to laugh at?"
I looked at her.
My face stayed blank.
"What are you all so wary of?" I asked.
"Huh?" Chloe blinked, caught off guard.
"Five years ago, you were the ones who told me to leave. Now I'm back, and I haven't reached out to Olivia, or tried to contact anyone. You're the ones..." I said, pointing at her and the people behind her.
"All of you are so eager to come over and talk to me.
"So who's really the one chasing after whom?"
Chloe's smile froze.
The people around us started glancing over, looking intrigued.
Chloe's lips trembled, like she was about to say something.
The banquet hall doors swung open again.
Olivia walked in.
She wore a crisp white suit, her long hair pinned up, impeccably polished, not a single flaw in sight.
Standing next to her was a tall man in a gray suit, not a hair out of place.
William Pierce.
That was her fiancé.
They strolled in arm in arm, looking totally relaxed.
The golden couple.
Olivia scanned the room, her eyes locking onto mine.
One second.
Two seconds.
Her face stayed perfectly still. She barely tilted her head and murmured something to William.
And then, she shifted her gaze.
Like I was nothing but a stranger.
I pulled a half-smile.
That was the same look she gave me five years ago, when she told me to leave.
Whatever.
I wasn't here for her.
I was here to watch the Sinclairs walk right into my trap.
My phone buzzed.
It was a message from Michael.
Michael texted, [Mr. Carter, the contracts with three of Sinclair Enterprises' main suppliers just expired and weren't renewed. We've picked up all of them. Mr. Sinclair hasn't found out yet.]
I slipped my phone back into my pocket.
I glanced up at Mr. Sinclair, who was mingling with the crowd.
He was all smiles, completely clueless that the ground beneath his feet was already crumbling.