Chapter 4 The Unexpected CEO Position

Hameen the Taylor family, Oasis Villa.

After getting back, Evelyn totally dropped her tough act. She flopped onto the couch, kicked off her heels, and waited for the servants to tidy up.

"Ah, home is the best. Simon, why did I ever think marrying into the Wellington family was a good idea?"

Simon, still fuming from earlier, yanked off his tie. "Who knows? Maybe you should ask Landon if you were cursed."

Just then, Landon Taylor, the eldest son of the Taylor family, walked in with his usual air of authority. He shot a disapproving look at Simon when he saw Evelyn lounging around.

"Where did you take Evelyn to make her so worn out?"

Evelyn sat up. "Landon, it's not Simon's fault. I was just thinking about my past mistakes, and it wore me out."

Simon couldn't resist stirring the pot. "Yeah, Landon, you're just in time. Check if Evelyn's under some curse."

"Superstitions are nonsense." Landon was used to Simon's fake magician act. He waved for the family doctor to come and check on Evelyn.

"Wait, Landon, didn't I already have a check-up when I got back? What's this for?" Evelyn, sensing something was off, tried to pull away.

"A clean bill of health doesn't mean you don't have psychological issues. Since you refuse the suggestion for counseling, I can only have the family doctor check if your emotions are causing any physical problems."

Evelyn clung to Landon, trying to be sweet. "There's no need for that. The Wellington family is respectable, not some hellhole."

Joking aside, agreeing to this would be like airing her dirty laundry in public.

Landon knew Evelyn well, so he kindly dismissed the doctor.

"I'll let it go this time, but Dad is still waiting for you in the study."

With that, Landon and Simon gave Evelyn a "good luck" look and escorted her to meet Charlie Taylor, the chairman of KnightSpear Group.

Charlie's stern face couldn't hide his excitement, but he still scolded, "You finally look decent after all this time. Did you join Doctors Without Borders to help others or to suffer yourself?"

Evelyn shot back, "You can't be so clueless to just now realize how tough it is to join Doctors Without Borders, right? If you're getting forgetful with age, maybe you should visit your mistresses less to avoid calling them by the wrong names."

When a man had plenty of money, women tended to flock to him. Charlie didn't see anything wrong with multiple marriages.

But Evelyn didn't think so. She had built up a lot of resentment since childhood, so she went abroad early to study and chose to join Doctors Without Borders, helping others to forget the troubles at home.

Charlie said, "You have been out for three years, and the first thing you do is curse me with a serious illness, huh? If nothing else, your ability to anger me has improved."

Evelyn seemed destined to challenge him. When he didn't see her, he missed her madly, but when they met, she infuriated him more than all his sons combined.

"Not at all. If I can anger you, it means I didn't waste these three years." Evelyn smiled charmingly, taking pride in what others might find shameful.

"Dad, since Evelyn is back, how about considering my earlier suggestion to have her become the president of KnightSpear Group?" Landon spoke up, maybe to prevent a real argument between Charlie and Evelyn.

Evelyn's eyes widened. She knew Landon wasn't just throwing out ideas on a whim.

"Landon!" Charlie's usually composed demeanor cracked.

Landon pressed on, "You know my heart's not in the company. We agreed that after three years, I'd go back to the church."

Seeing Landon's resolve, Charlie felt a pang of regret. Had his own beliefs pushed Landon towards theology?

"Fine, I don't want to force you. If you don't take the position, someone else will, right, Simon?" Charlie's gaze shifted to Simon, whose voice wavered.

"No way, I worked hard to become a public servant. Getting involved with a big corporation could land me in jail. Are you trying to get me locked up?"

Charlie almost choked on his frustration. Something had to be wrong with their family dynamics. How could his sons, so competent outside, be so unwilling at home?

Was the Taylor family's business really that undesirable?

Charlie sighed, feeling his health decline year by year. While his peers enjoyed their grandchildren, he was stuck in the chairman's seat with no one willing to take over.

He didn't mind women managing family affairs, but he always felt that if Evelyn took over, the business would be constantly under threat.

"Why not ask me? If none of them want the president's position, why can't I take it?" Evelyn's red lips curved into a confident smile as she stood tall.

"Do you think it's that easy? If you take the position on a whim, believe me, the people below will find countless ways to undermine you."

Charlie then remembered something, his face pained. "You left without a word, not even a goodbye. Fine, as a husband, I owe your mother. But as a father, am I so terrible that you didn't contact me for three years, not even a holiday greeting? If it weren't for your brother reassuring me, I would have thought you died abroad!"

Evelyn's lips trembled, her eyes reddening. She slowly knelt and bowed her head in apology to Charlie.

She knew it was wrong to hide her identity and marry Edward, staying away for three years without returning home. She admitted it was unfilial.

"Dad, come on. Evelyn is back safe and sound. Do you have to make such a big deal out of it?" Simon pulled Evelyn up and rubbed her knees.

But Landon remained unfazed, sipping his coffee and continuing the earlier topic. "You underestimate Evelyn. Every decision she makes is well-prepared. Remember the financial crisis four years ago? The control measures you praised were her doing. She also helped me a lot with the Moore Group acquisition, saving me several sleepless nights."

Charlie was taken aback, scrutinizing Evelyn. Could the capable person Landon described really be the same Evelyn who always made him angry?

Simon chimed in, "Not only that, but the gifts you've received from me over the past three years were all carefully chosen by Evelyn. She never forgot about us."

Charlie felt a wave of relief. No wonder Simon seemed smarter in recent years, always giving gifts that pleased him.

"Alright, you've had your say, both the compliments and the criticisms. Given that, I'll hand over the president's position to Evelyn—just kidding!"