The CEO's Seductive Doll-Chapter 142: Grew A Backbone
Before Eternity could even open her mouth to reply, that same woman from the PR team swiftly grabbed the emcee’s microphone.
"That’s it for today’s press conference, everyone. We’re no longer accepting any more questions," she announced firmly.
Eternity felt a whirlwind of activity around her. She was dragged away from Evan, and the PR woman began scolding her as if Eternity had been aware of Evan’s plan all along.
’Of course,’ Eternity thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. ’Always blame the woman for the sins of a man.’
After the scolding session, Eternity was advised to go home.
"Rest assured," the PR woman said, crossing her arms. "You’ll be using the company vehicle. You don’t need to worry about the media hounding you on your way."
"What about Evan?" Eternity asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
The PR member looked uncomfortable at her casual use of the CEO’s name. Still, she replied stiffly.
"Sir Holz will follow you soon after."
***
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"
The voice of an old man echoed inside the greenhouse, the place where he had demanded Evan meet him.
The lush greenery and the scent of blooming flowers gave the room a sweet smell, which was very unfitting for the situation that they were currently in. Sunlight streamed through the glass panels, shining directly at the old man and casting a shadow on his form that made him look taller than he actually was.
But in hindsight, this was the father of Freiheit. His brother was taller than him by a few inches, so it wasn’t a surprise that this man was tall as well, even if age had made his posture crooked.
Evan stood at the entrance of the greenhouse, completely frozen, like a deer caught in the headlights.
He was still in his formal attire from the press conference. The tie slightly loosened, and his shirt wrinkled from the long day. His icy blue eyes met the gray eyes of the old man, who was currently watering the plants using a hose.
But even though it seemed a bit silly that he was shouting angrily at Evan while at the same time tending his plants, Evan still felt completely nervous.
The old man, with his white beard and hair, looked regal even if he was wearing a green apron over his clothes to prevent them from getting dirty from the hose water and the garden soil.
"Evanescence," he said, his voice now low and dangerous. "Do you realize the magnitude of what you’ve done?"
Evan winced at the usage of his complete name, looking away from the old man in front of him.
"I’m sorry--" he tried to say.
"You are the most rational out of all my children, yet what you did is worse than all the mischief Freiheit has done throughout the years combined!"
Evan kept quiet, holding his tongue even if he wasn’t used to getting shouted at. It was always the other way around. But the person in front of him wasn’t just anybody.
It was Blau Royall, the founder of RBAB, and his adoptive father.
"Can I at least come inside first, Mr. Royall?" Evan asked, attempting to lighten the mood. "I know you’re angry with me, but you couldn’t possibly be angry enough to make me stand here at the entrance all day long?"
Mr. Royall sighed deeply, turning off the faucet and placing the hose on the ground. He shifted his gaze to Evan and raised his hand, gesturing for him to come closer.
Evan did as he was instructed, stepping into the lush greenery of the greenhouse.
"You know I don’t typically meddle with how you manage the company ever since I handed over the reins to you," Mr. Royall said, shaking his head in disappointment. "But what you did today was incredibly rash."
"I’m sorry, Mr. Royall—"
"And you still call me by that name even after officially becoming my son two decades ago!" Mr. Royall shook his head, looking deeply disappointed. "Have I not treated you like you’re my real son?"
"Father," Evan corrected himself. "My fiancée—"
"What’s even worse," Mr. Royall began, and Evan felt a pang of hurt in his chest, knowing exactly where this was going, "you haven’t even introduced her to me! Do you think it’s proper that I heard of your relationship through the news and not through my son’s own mouth?"
Evan, in fact, did not expect this conversation to go in this direction.
"You’re not angry?" he asked, his voice quivering slightly. "That I proposed to Eternity at a press conference that was held to deny our relationship?"
"I’m not," Mr. Royall said, chuckling softly. "I’m actually quite happy and surprised that you’ve grown a backbone."
"Grown a backbone...?" Evan repeated, a scowl forming on his face.
"Don’t make that face at me, boy," Mr. Royall warned.
Automatically, Evan’s face relaxed in compliance.
The Royall patriarch laughed loudly, his cackles echoing in the greenhouse. It was such an infectious laugh that Evan couldn’t help but form a smile as well.
Even if Freiheit denied it all the time, Mr. Royall and Freiheit were similar to each other. For example, they shared the same boisterous laughter. Secondly, Mr. Royall had the same personality as his real son.
In other words, they tended to bullshit people for the shits and giggles.
Once he had calmed down, Mr. Royall spread his arms wide. Evan obliged, moving closer and giving him a tight hug. The warmth and strength of the embrace made him remember a memory from far back in the past.
Specifically, it reminded him of the day when his first adoptive father got into an accident on the premises of RBAB. Evan was crying in the hospital, the news of his ’father’ possibly dying was a reality he could not face.
But Mr. Royall appeared in the hallways of the hospital, assuring Evan that everything would be okay.
That was the day that Evan’s life changed for the better.
Yet, it was also that day that brought them to their present situation.
"Now," Mr. Royall said, releasing Evan and placing a hand on his shoulder, "Let’s talk about how you’re going to introduce me to your fiancée properly."
