Back From Prison, Built For Revenge - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

The air in Hayden's office was thick enough to choke on.
Zaiden Roberts, his assistant, stood before the desk to report. "Mr. Stone," he said, his voice steady, "the latest records. Miss Chloe has officially changed her surname to Quinn and transferred all shares to a new account under that name."
"What?" Hayden's head snapped up. He snatched the file from Zaiden's hands to sweep over the text, and his face grew so dark it looked like a thundercloud.
"How dare she... " The words caught in his throat. He slammed the file down on the desk, sending papers flying. "That's all. You can go," Hayden bit out, his voice low and loaded with pressure.
Zaiden quickly exited, leaving Hayden alone. He braced his hands on the desk, his eyes burning holes into the name on the page. Chloe... he thought. Well played.
His mind flashed back to the girl who had once depended on him for everything—the girl who would tug on his sleeve, cooing "brother Hayden" in that sweet voice. Now, that same girl had, without a moment's hesitation, severed her last tie to the Stone family, positioning herself firmly against them.
"Does she really think she can escape the Stone name that easily?" Hayden muttered, a bitter, self-mocking laugh escaping his lips. "Still naive."
Zaiden stood outside the office, waiting for Hayden's order but daring not to speak. He knew better than to say a word when his boss was consumed by such a toxic storm of anger and betrayal. Any attempt at reason would only add fuel to the fire.
After a long moment, Hayden slowly straightened, pulling his mask of cold composure back into place. He took a deep, steadying breath, and called Zaiden back in. "Keep digging," he commanded. "I want to know what else she's hiding."
"Yes, sir." Zaiden nodded and quickly exited the office, leaving Hayden alone, his gaze dangerously dark.
Meanwhile, in Evelyn's private suite at the villa, Carlos was paying a visit to Evelyn, presenting her with an exquisite gift box.
"Mrs. Evelyn, How have you been feeling lately? I brought you a little something from my trip abroad," Carlos said. "A health supplement that's said to be very beneficial."
"Carlos, you are too thoughtful," Evelyn replied, her face breaking into a grandmotherly smile as she accepted the gift. "How many more years can these old bones hold on? It's you young people who need to be mindful of your health."
"Please don't say that, you're still strong and healthy." Carlos replied, his tone a perfect blend of warmth and respect. "Nothing means more to us than your health."
Sadie Taylor, Evelyn's companion, stood by and watched, her sharp eyes missing nothing. She knew Carlos never wasted a gesture. His visit today, bearing such a lavish gift, was clearly not just a social call. His motives went far beyond simple concern for Evelyn's health.
As expected, Carlos deftly pivoted the conversation. "Actually, I came to discuss the joint venture our families are considering. Progress would be greatly helped if our families were to become more deeply connected."
A shrewd glint appeared in Evelyn's eyes, though her expression remained serene. "Oh? A joint venture, you say? What sort of project?"
"A few partnership opportunities in real estate development," Carlos said with a smooth smile, seamlessly linking business with a subtle hint at a more personal alliance. "Progress on the project would be greatly helped if our families were to become more deeply connected."
The words shifted the atmosphere in the room, charging it with unspoken meaning. Evelyn didn't respond immediately, instead taking a slow sip of her tea, her gaze thoughtful. "Carlos, my dear, what exactly are you suggesting?"
"My intention is simple," Carlos said, setting down his cup. "If our two families were to strengthen their bond through marriage, it wouldn't just be a win for us in business. It would be a continuation of our families' shared history and affection."
The room fell quiet. Sadie lowered her gaze, observing the exchange, while a contemplative smile played on Evelyn Stone's lips.
Later, the family gathered, the topic Carlos had seeded with Evelyn now ready to bloom into a full-blown confrontation.
"I must say, an alliance between our families is an excellent idea," Evelyn announced, her tone light but carrying an undeniable weight of authority. "Yolanda, what are your thoughts?"
Yolanda blushed. She lowered her head, speaking in a voice barely louder than a whisper. "Grandma, I will follow your arrangements."
Phoebe chuckled at the display. "Oh, look at our Yolanda, getting all shy! It seems she's quite taken with Carlos!"
The teasing briefly lightened the mood. But Chloe remained a silent observer, watching the performance with cold eyes.
It was clear to her this so-called engagement was nothing more than a transaction, a merger of assets. The man she had once loved was now nothing more than a pawn in a game of power. The absurdity of it was a sharp, bitter pain.
What disgusted her more was that Carlos had orchestrated this right in front of her, as if testing her.
The suffocating atmosphere eventually drove her outside into the garden's cool air, but she found no peace there. Carlos followed.
"You heard all that, I assume?" he began casually. "Your thoughts on Yolanda and me?"
Chloe stopped walking, her gaze cool and distant. "My thoughts? What does any of this have to do with me?"
"Nothing at all?" he countered, an unreadable smile playing on his lips. "After all, we were once... "
"Don't," Chloe cut him off, her voice like ice. "The past is dead to me."
The smile vanished from Carlos's eyes. He stared at her, the depths of his gaze turbulent for a fleeting moment before his usual mask of indifference settled back into place.
"If that's the case," he said, his tone deceptively casual but laced with provocation, "then you should wish us well."
Chloe laughed, a short, sharp sound dripping with sarcasm. "Of course. A power couple. You're perfect for each other."
The tension between them was a drawn bowstring. Just then, a soft cough came from nearby.
Evelyn was walking into the garden on Sadie's arm. Seemingly oblivious to the blade-sharp tension between them, she smiled gently. "Come now, don't just stand out here. Let's all go inside for some tea."
Her simple words ended their standoff. Chloe turned and walked away, not sparing Carlos another glance.
Carlos left the garden without more words. He entered the elevator, but then found Yolanda following him into the elevator.
"Carlos, actually... I've always admired you so much," Yolanda lowered her head shyly. "If it's possible, I was hoping... "
Carlos cut her off with a polite but distant smile. "Fate isn't something one can force. It's best to let things be."
His noncommittal answer left her confused and uncertain. When the elevator doors opened, he strode out without a backward glance.
Night fell. Hayden sat in his office, staring at a digital copy of a household registration file on his screen.
His eyes were fixed on the name change: Chloe Quinn was now listed as Chloe Lambert. His fingers slowly curled into a fist. He saw her choosing his rival, and he couldn't accept it.
Memories flooded back—of their childhood, of the family shattered by the truth of her birth. He couldn't accept this. He couldn't let it go.
He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the emotions down. When he opened them, his face was a mask of ice. He picked up his phone to dial.
"Teach her a lesson," he demanded to the phone. "Make her understand that she will never escape the Stone family."