Chapter 5 Broken Confidence

Evelyn's POV

Overnight, Peter's attitude had changed, and not in a positive way.

Holding a new stack of reports that I had spent hours preparing, I entered the office. Peter's typically icy attitude had hardened even more as I walked up to his desk, and his piercing eyes caused my feet to stumble.

I placed them gently on Mr. Austin's desk and said, "Mr. Austin, these are the updated reports you requested."

He hardly gave them a look. "Go away from them. I'll examine them later.

I nodded, attempting to ignore the sting of his dismissal, but his subsequent remarks were more painful.

"Evelyn, make sure your figures are correct this time. Today, I can't stand incompetence any longer.

I suppressed the need to protect myself by biting my lip. "Yes, sir," I said softly as I took a step back.

Although Peter had always been cold, this was different. His tone had a sarcastic edge and an air of distrust that had not previously existed. He seemed to have certain suspicions about me, but I was unable to identify them.

My ears burned from the whispers coming from the other side of the room as I made my way back to my desk.

Someone whispered, "She's probably sleeping with him."

My fingers clenched around my pen as I froze.

Another voice said, "She's in his office all the time." Additionally, have you observed Daniel Kessler's frequent appearances near her? Both sides are being played by her.

Lila was grinning when I turned around, her head cocked as though she were divulging some juicy information.

"What are you telling people, Lilia?" I shouted, my voice shaking with rage.

She pretended to be innocent as she shrugged. "Oh, Evelyn, nothing. I'm just observing. If people reach their conclusions, you cannot hold me responsible.

I raised my voice and yelled, "You're spreading lies."

Her smile grew as she asked, "Am I?" "All right, if the shoe fits."

As the office echoed with laughter, heat sprang up my cheeks. I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned aside.

I looked in the mirror that night, the harsh fluorescent light bringing out all my insecurities. I kept thinking about Lila's statements, along with Daniel's enigmatic offers and Peter's aloofness.

I couldn't continue to be ignored, questioned, and treated like a worthless person. There must be a change.

I looked for online business classes on my laptop. I needed to be stronger if I was going to confront Daniel, Peter, and any secrets they might be concealing. More intelligent.

I was resolved to persevere through the confusion the following morning. I ignored the looks and whispers at work and kept my head down, concentrating on my work.

I located a peaceful area in the break room at lunch and took out a notebook with scrawled notes on my father's past. Every night, I had been doing research, trying to piece together the disjointed tale of his life and demise.

I traced the timeline with my pen and said to myself, "Elmont Industries was worth billions." "What caused it to collapse so quickly?"

I jumped as I heard a familiar voice say, "You're still playing detective, I see."

Daniel was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed and a smug smile on his face as I looked up.

"What are you looking for?" With a sharper-than-normal tone, I asked.

He laughed and took a step forward. "Evelyn, calm down. I'm available to assist.

I closed my notebook and muttered, "I don't need your help."

"Oh," he murmured, his voice fading to a whisper, "but you do." "Peter Austin is not who you believe him to be." He is concealing things that, if you are not careful, could ruin you.

I scowled and turned to look at him. And why ought I to trust you? You are equally as cunning as he is.

Daniel grinned. "You make a valid point. But consider this: has Peter ever stood up for you? Has he ever been honest with you about your dad?

I didn't let him know that his remarks touched a nerve. "Don't come near me, Daniel. I've had enough of your lies.

His voice followed me as I turned to go. Evelyn, you'll change your mind. You will eventually realize that I am the one person you can rely on.

I remained in the office late that night, waiting until everyone had gone. There was only one place I could turn for the answers I needed.

Peter's workspace.

With my heart racing, I entered and looked around the room. Every file and folder had its location, and it was perfectly ordered. With trembling hands, I went to the Archives cabinet and started looking through the files.

Contracts, financial statements, and meeting minutes made up most of the paperwork. However, I later discovered an envelope with the label Confidential hidden at the back of the drawer.

I took out a single sheet of paper after opening it.

As I read the words printed on the paper, my breath caught.

Peter wasn't the only person who had contributed to my father's demise.

Daniel was the one.

Daniel Kessler and another Elmont Industries executive had a covert arrangement, according to the document. Together, they had sucked money out of the business, causing it to fail.

My thoughts reeled as I gazed at the paper.

I had been misled by Daniel. He had stolen my inheritance in the first place, so he wasn't attempting to assist me in getting it back.

However, why would Peter conceal this? What prevented him from exposing Daniel?

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I quickly shoved the paper back into the envelope and slid it into my bag.

The footsteps grew louder, stopping just outside the office door.

"Evelyn?" Peter's voice called, cold and sharp.

My heart pounded as the door creaked open.

"What are you doing in here?" he asked, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto mine.

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out.

What had he seen? What did he know?