114 Project Phoenix
“Oh, you should’ve seen his face,” Ste continued gleefully. “He nearly choked on his own breath… I thought his blood pressure would
explode. He knows the end ising, sis.” 1
“Good.” Evelyn said calmly. “He deserves to feel that fear.”
There was a moment of silence.
Then Ste asked, “So… should we move on to the next step?”
Evelyn leaned back, twirling a pen between her fingers, a slow smile curving her lips.
“Yes,” she said. “Process it.”
Her tone was light, but her eyes sharpened with resolve.
<b>“</b>Are you sure?” Ste asked. “Once I pull the trigger, there’s no going back. Lana will be exposed. And Dad… he’ll finally fall.”
Evelyn’s gaze drifted back to the window. The blue sky looks brighter than before, as if the universe is granting them permission to
continue their n.
“I’m sure,” she said softly. “He ruined our happiness. He used us both like pawns. It’s time we take back what’s ours.”
There was a pause.
Then Ste’s voice turned yful again. “I can’t believe it. My big sister is finally sounding like the boss I always knew she was. Sis, you
are the rightful heirs of Walter Group! You have what it takes to be its leader! Let’s take thepany from that whore’s hand.”
Evelyn chuckled softly.
“Oh, please. Don’t jump to conclusions now. We still have so many things to do.”
“True, Ste said. “But, I already picture their downfall!”
Evelynughed.
“Alright… Anyway, sis, congrats…” Ste said yfully, but Evelyn felt her stomach twist again, remembering Axel’s status announcement.
Evelyn says no more about it. She keeps talking to Ste about their n until she finally ends the phone call.
After ending the call, Evelyn sat there for a moment.
For years, she’d ept everything her father decided for her. Judged by society and hiding from anyone.
At first, she never wanted to seek revenge on him.
But after what happened to Ste, what happened to Alicia, and now learning the truth about Lana, she no longer ignores her past.
She had a n to turn everything back. She had Axel. She had power.
And soon, she’d have justice.
15:51
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<b>< </b>
114 Project Phoenix
Evelyn smiled faintly, whispering to herself, “William Walters… It’s your turn to worry.”
She took her cell phone and typed a text.
“Bro, keep going with Project Phoenix, second step!”
Her phone buzzed again, and she saw a new message from Oscar in her inbox.
“Got it! I’ve sent the <i>file </i>to your private email<i>. </i><i>Just </i><i>a </i><i>heads</i>–up, if <i>anyone </i><i>finds </i><i>out</i><i>, </i>it <i>could </i><i>cause </i>some <i>trouble</i><i>.</i><i>” </i>From: Oscar
Evelyn’s eyes flicked toward her screen.
A single file name appeared in her inbox.
“Project Phoenix.”
She clicked it open. A smile emerged on her lips.
“Nice, Oscar. This is gonna change everything!”
The day passed quickly.
Suddenly, it was evening, and the weather was too lovely to stay indoors.
Evelyn decided to take Oliver for a walk around their new home.
The air was crisp, the sunlight golden, and her little boy was practically bouncing beside her as they followed the stone path that led to
theke half a mile from the house.
When they reached it, Evelyn set down the small fishing rod she’d bought just for him.
“Alright, my little fisherman,” she said, kneeling beside him. “Let’s see if Mommy can still remember how to do this.”
Oliver watched with big, curious eyes as she showed him how to hold the rod.
His tiny hands gripped it too tightly at first, the tip wobbling dangerously.
“Rx” Evelynughed, gently fixing his hands. “It’s not a sword, darling. You’re not fighting dragons.”
Oliver giggled, nodding thoughtfully as if she’d given him a critical mission.
“Okay, Mommy. Like this?”
“Perfect,” she said, smiling proudly. “Now flick your wrist… yes, yes, yes… just like that!”
The line soared through the air,nding with a soft plop on theke’s surface.
They both froze, wide–eyed.
Then Oliver gasped and shouted, “Mommy… Look… I did it!”
Evelyn pped.
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<b>< </b>
114 Project Phoenix
“You did, sweetheart!”
He grinned from ear to ear, eyes shining with happiness, “I wish Daddy were here…”
That simple sentence warmed her chest.
It still amazed her how easily Axel had be part of Oliver’s world.
How her son always wanted Axel to be included in everything he did.
“Sweetheart, you need to sit….” she said, pulling out a fishing chair she found there, as if the chair was already set up for them.
They sat by theke, waiting for the line to twitch.
Evelyn enjoyed the calm, the sound of water rippling, and birds chirping.
Oliver kept talking about how he thought fish might speak underwater and how he wanted to go hiking on the distant mountain, just like
Daddy had promised.
Sheughed at every one of his silly ideas, yfully pinching his cheek.
“You’re full of stories today.”
“I like it here,” Oliver said suddenly, his voice softer now. “It’s pretty… and Daddy smiles a lot when around you.”
Evelyn’s heart melted. She reached out and brushed his hair back.
“Oliver Knight… you’re too smart for a three–year–old.”
He shrugs before saying, “Mommy, stop saying I’m three. I’m almost four…”
Evelyn chuckled; she didn’t want her son to grow up too quickly and always thought he was three years old.
Oliver nced at Evelyn.
“Mom, you didn’t forget my birthday, did you?”
‘Heaven! How could I forget his birthday?‘ Evelyn scolded herself inwardly.
Many things have happened in her life over the past few weeks. And those have changed her a lot.
And also preupied her mind so tensely that she haspletely forgotten about Oliver’s birthday.
Shaking her head, “Of course I did not. Why do you even think like that?”
But Oliver didn’t seem to believe her, “Alright. Proof it. When is my birthday?”
“Haha… Sweetheart, I’m the one bringing you into the world. How could I forget? October twenty.” She said while ruffling his smooth
hair.
He smiles. Happy. Then return his attention to theke again.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Mommy has already nned an unforgettable birthday for you.”
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114 Project Phoenix
As Evelyn and Oliver talk and enjoy their time, they don’t notice time slipping away or that someone else has returned home.
Axel had just arrived at the house.
As he loosened his tie, Jimmy approached with a respectful bow.
“Wee back, sir.”
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Sara Lili
<strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.