Chapter 3 I Became the CEO!
Landon and Evelyn returned to Oasis Villa, the residence of the Taylor family in Hameen.
A Rolls-Royce was parked in the middle of the red carpet in front of the villa. Simon Taylor, Evelyn's brother, personally greeted her and opened the car door for her.
"Welcome back, my princess!"
Evelyn's exquisite beauty shone brightly under the lights. She had already changed into sharp, high heels, taking off her sneakers in the car. She looked regal and proud, like a queen.
"Simon, how have you all been?"
"We're doing fine, but not as good as when you're here. Did you enjoy the fireworks? My birthday gift caused quite a buzz in the city; it became a hot topic!" Simon looked handsome and radiant.
"Yes, I saw it. Everyone said it was a nouveau riche spending a fortune to chase a girl and that you're a wealthy but outdated man. Simon, congratulations on unlocking a new achievement in life!" Evelyn applauded with a bright smile.
Ignoring her teasing, Simon took a sniff and excitedly embraced her.
"Evelyn, you won't leave again, will you?"
"No, I've been abandoned. I won't leave anymore."
Evelyn patted Simon's back with relief. "Ah, I've embarrassed you all. These past three years, I've given everything and put in all my effort, but in the end, that man still didn't fall in love with me. I'm a complete failure."
However, although she felt pain and sad to the point of tears, she forcefully held them back.
She vowed that after leaving Riverside Villa's gate, she would never shed a tear for Edward again—he wasn't worth it!
"Edward is such a jerk! How dare he betray you! Tomorrow, I'll start investigating the Wellington Group, and then I'll have Ulysses find time to assassinate him!"
Upon hearing this, Landon frowned and said, "Amen."
"Simon, stop joking! You're a prosecutor, a government official."
Evelyn forced a bitter smile. "Can you learn from Landon? Peace and love?"
"Nonsense! Landon used to be even worse than me!"
Simon angrily adjusted his tie. "In any case, I won't let it go like this! He can bully me, but he shouldn't have bullied you. The Wellington Group will forever be under my scrutiny!"
Evelyn walked hand in hand with Landon, and Simon looped his arm around her. They entered the home she hadn't returned to in a long time, chatting and laughing.
Charlie Taylor, the chairman of KnightSpear Group, heard that his daughter had returned. Joy was evident on his stern face as he paced excitedly in his study.
"Charlie, I'm back!"
Evelyn, Simon, and Landon entered the study. She was no longer as gentle and virtuous as she had been in front of the Wellington family. She sprawled on the couch, kicking off her high heels without any reservation.
Landon also sat down and naturally began massaging her slender and fair feet on his lap.
"You're so uncivilized! Did you run off to be a doctor without borders? Did you go to a bandit's place?" Charlie purposely had a stern face. He just couldn't get along with Evelyn. When he didn't see her, he missed her, but when he did see her, he just wanted her to leave.
"Isn't this the onset of Alzheimer's? I used to be like this. Is this your first day as my father?" Evelyn glanced at the wall and was extremely shocked.
Hanging on the wall were poems she had written over ten years ago. Charlie, for some reason, had dug them out and framed them.
[You have so many wives. You're such a philanderer!]
[You're so old. Take care of yourself and be careful not to die from a heart attack!]
[You're really despicable!]
These were the wedding gifts Evelyn had given him when they got married for the third time.
Now, because Charlie had four wives, the Taylor family was frequently the subject of nationwide gossip.
Due to her dissatisfaction with this family environment, Evelyn had long ago ventured into a foreign country and become a doctor without borders, helping people and saving lives.
"You've been gone for three years. Now that you're back, you're cursing me with a serious illness. You're so caring, my darling daughter!" Charlie was furious.
"Thank you for the praise, Dad." Evelyn, with her beautiful appearance and radiant smile, replied.
"Dad, now that Evelyn is back, there are some things that need to be discussed." Landon, with a serious expression, helped Evelyn put on her shoes.
"I've decided to step down as the CEO of KnightSpear Group and let Evelyn take over." Landon's resolute and handsome profile left Evelyn shocked and staring at him.
"You!" Charlie was too angry to say anything for a moment.
"I only agreed to manage the company on your behalf for three years. Now that the three-year period is over, I want to return to the church. You know, this is not what I wanted. Being a pastor is my lifelong dream." At this moment, Landon radiated a sacred glow and had a firm attitude.
"If you don't do it, then Simon will!" Charlie pushed to his limit and had no choice but to settle for second best.
"No, no, no, no, I'm a government official. I absolutely cannot be involved with a big corporation. Otherwise, I'll be suspended for investigation!" Simon quickly refused, his face turning pale with fear.
Charlie was very frustrated. He felt that he had many sons, but they could have been more useful. They all made contributions elsewhere and were unwilling to manage his company.
He deteriorated his body year by year. He had long planned to step back from the front lines. But within the entire family, no one was capable of inheriting his business empire.
It wasn't that he didn't dote on his daughter. He just stubbornly believed that the heir should be a son.
"A woman can achieve great things, no less than a man. I will be the CEO!" Evelyn smiled slightly and proudly lifted her chin.
"Don't joke around! Do you think KnightSpear Group is a playground? Can you gain the respect of others? Do you understand business?" Charlie's face showed a mix of anger and bitterness.
"And you're not steady enough. You disappear at a moment's notice, and for three years, you run off to some faraway place. Do you know how much your several mothers and I have worried about you? I even thought you were blown to pieces at the border!"
Evelyn felt very sad, her eyes slightly teary.
Even though she felt that Charlie owed her mother too much and harbored some resentment toward him, she had kept her marriage to Edward a secret from him for three years. In this matter, she owed him.
"Dad, Evelyn understands just as much as me."
Landon gracefully took a sip of his coffee. "Do you remember the financial crisis we experienced four years ago? Evelyn proposed several effective corporation control measures. And Evelyn also worked on the acquisition plan for the Moore Group overnight two years ago."
Charlie, upon hearing this, felt surprised.
"Dad, you don't understand Evelyn. She is our family's most steady and resourceful person. You've always had a reputation for recognizing and utilizing talent. Now that talent is right in front of you. Why not use her?" Simon also tried to persuade him.
Charlie pondered for a moment, then spoke with a commanding tone: "Alright, Evelyn, if you want to manage the company, then I will test you. Consider it my birthday gift to you!"
Evelyn couldn't help but sit up straight, her eyes shining like stars.
"You take a few days to prepare. Next week, report to the KS World Hotel in Mugden. If you can give it a completely new look and turn it into a profit-making venture within six months , I will consider making you the president of KnightSpear Group!"
Once they left the study, Landon and Simon both placed their hands on Evelyn's shoulders without planning it.
"You have a great responsibility," Landon said.
"You have a challenging task ahead of you," Simon sighed.
"I know. Dad is trying everything to make me give up. But unfortunately, that tactic won't work for me. I am naturally resilient. The more pressure there is, the stronger I become." Evelyn clenched her fists. Her ambition, which had been dormant for three years, was now stirring.
Simon and Landon exchanged smiles.
"My dear sister, our lifelong freedom is now in your hands."