The Bait

Alex was drowning in a financial mess. The press was on his ass, he had lost a lot of fortune to that foolish project and now his company was in ruins. All his allies had abandoned him to his sinking ship. 

He blamed himself for listening to the advice Evelyn gave him. 

She was the one who brought up the project to him. He'd been wary at first, doubting the legitimacy of it, the whole thing had felt like a risk but Evelyn had assured him it was legit. 

She claimed she had gotten a tip from a confidential source. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it. Now everything was a fucking mess. 

He pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a migraine set in. 

Evelyn walked into his office. She was wearing a designer dress and carrying the latest Gucci bag. She splurged on everything and anything. Her makeup was flawless as usual. Sometimes he wondered who the real Evelyn was. 

"Oh, don't look so sad, honey, it's not the end of the world."

"You tell me, Evelyn, isn't it? I've lost everything!"

"Keep your voice down, Alex, don't you dare raise it at me!"

"Do you not get it, we are fucked, all these--" he gestured at her dress and bag, "will be gone.

"The properties! Everything I spent my lifetime building!"

"I get that you are upset--"

"No, you don't, Evelyn, you have no goddam clue, if I hadn't taken that stupid investment deal you brought--"

"Don't you dare pin this on me, I can't be blamed for what happened--"

"Who came up with the genius idea that got us into this mess--"

"You aren't a child, Alex!" Evelyn screeched, beyond caring that the staff could hear their voices. 

"I didn't force you to do it, at the end of the day, it was your decision."

Alex was stunned into silence. At the heart of it was the truth. It had been his decision. It always has. 

"And I had to live with some of them too. Tell me, Alex, how many years has it been since you proposed to me?" When Alex didn't bother with a reply, Evelyn didn't back down. 

"Four years, four good years. I gave you the space and time you wanted, and what do I get in return for trying to help, blame and tantrums?"

Alex was mentally and physically exhausted. It had always been like this in their relationship. Evelyn made it all about herself. 

"What do you want?" He asked, defeated. 

"I came with good news actually," she pouted, still looking offended. But Alex wasn't in the least bit interested.

"Fine, if you are going to he this way. Just so you know, I secured a huge partnership for the company, I'm talking serious money." 

Alex's voice was lifeless. "No one is dumb enough to pump cash into this wreck, in case you haven't noticed, all our partners and investors have fled."

Evelyn had a smug smile on her face. "Have a little faith honey, don't you want to know who it is?"

Despite himself, Alex was curious. Surely no one in their right mind would want to associate with his doomed company. But who could it be? 

"Who is it?"

The smug grin on Evelyn's face got wider.

"Matilda Emerson." 

Holy shit, no fucking way. 

---

So far so good, everything was going according to plan. Evelyn had taken the bait as Kate had expected. Her greed knew no bounds. Kate was the mastermind behind the shady deal that wrecked Alex's company. 

All it took was dangling a lot of cash for grabs. If Evelyn hadn't been consumed by greed, she would have done deeper research before staking their company on an anonymous tip. And Alex going along with it meant she was still twisting him like a string. 

 Now that the first half of the plan had sailed smoothly, it was time she put the noose around their necks.  

Kate had sent word as Matilda Emerson that she would like to partner with the company. And Evelyn had fallen for the bait again. 

Of course, Evelyn, with all her smartness didn't see the folly in it. She didn't in her twisted mind question the sudden swoop of help. Her narcissistic self was too blind to see that someone could be smarter than her. 

The long game Kate was playing was to run them to the ground without their knowledge and when they were finally and utterly crushed, she would acquire the company and turn it into a successful investment. She would take everything from them just like they did to her.

She took a delicate sip of her tea. It was already getting cold. The wrath of her vengeance was ruthless and blinding, and none of them would escape unscathed. 

Edward soon got off the call with Alex's secretary. "The meeting has been set, and the ball would be like a foundation gathering, Hilton Enterprise is a big household name in the world of business and by partnering with them, you have opened the door for other investors who think Multi-trex Incorporation could still be lucrative."

"Thank you, Edward," Kate said, going through some documents. 

But Edward still lingered. "I know I don't have much say in this--"

Kate immediately dropped the documents. "What do you mean, Edward. You have a say, you are my most trusted advisor and confidant."

Edward inclined his head softly. "Thank you for saying that. I know you are strong and capable, I guess I'm just worried that seeing him... Your ex-husband," he took a pause, "seeing all of them, Evelyn, your mother... might trigger your ummm, your past trauma..."

Kate had a gentle smile on her face. "I'm in a much better place Edward, I can't say I'm fully healed, but I'm ready to finally face my past. Please don't worry about me."

Edward let out a sigh of relief. "I just want you to know that if Mr Stewart were here, he would have been so proud of you."

Kate felt her eyes sting. "Thank you, Edward." She blinked quickly, taking her face away. 

"Of course, Kate. I'll see myself out."

Kate then let the tears fall freely. She'd come a long way after all the hurt and betrayal. And all of it had led her to this defining moment. She wiped her face. 

If Edward should be worried about anyone, it was them he should be worried about.