Chapter 7

Eva

Richard Reynolds looked over at me, a greasy smile forming in his face. I was simply annoyed by the sight of him.

He was a man of poor stature. The first time I saw him I remembered my nerves while he eyed me with something akin to disgust. It didn't take long for me to figure out how little he thought of me solely because I didn't belong to a wealthy family.

He didn't look any better compared to before. The years hadn't changed him. He looked worse, with a fatter and ruddier face and sporting a belly that spoke of his alcoholism. Even during the tense days I spent here all I could remember was his drinking. He also apparently had a superiority complex and a thing for class, never. He always looked down on me being poor, yet in poor irony he was being careless with his wealth.

My overview of the business and financial documents sent to me was proof enough. He took a ledge chunk of the money and spent it on lavish parties, drinks and goodness knows what else. It was his spendthrift ability that was one of the reasons for the company's problems.

Despite being Viktor's father, there was nothing about him that reminded me of him in the past.

My thoughts halted at the long lost memory of Viktor's taunts. Maybe they were more similar than I thought.

I straightened but didn't bother standing as he came towards me. He wasn't working in the company anymore, that job was taken over by Viktor himself and he was nothing more than an empty shareholder. I didn't have to interact or coddle him in the business and I wouldn't want to.

“Good day Mr Reynolds.” I greeted dryly, feigning politeness. Once upon a time perhaps I would have done so but later I couldn't care less. Neither then or now.

He huffed and gave a sharp sneer, scrutinizing my body with his eyes. I clenched my jaw to ignore the feeling like ants crawling on my skin.

“So now you think you can waltz in here after showing your face outside?” he said, “Who the hell brought you in here?”

I didn't bother replying, taking another sip of tea. My patience was running even thinner in his presence compared to Brienne but I knew better than to play games with a man as pathetic as him.

“So the little bitch has guts now. You came to my house and you're trying to play smart huh?”

“Better a bitch than a drunkard.” I said in a nonchalant voice, unable to help myself.

He stumbled back slightly and despite my utter “How dare you treat me like this!”

“Make no mistake Mr Reynolds, I treat people only how they deserve to be treated. Nothing more, nothing less.” I tilted my head slightly, “Respect is earned and you have nothing that I would give to you.”

“And to answer your question, I was directed here by your own son. If you have any problems, take it up with him.'' I finished, dropping the tea and wiping off the crumbs. Grace's pastries were heaven but I had lost my appetite.

“You're still dirt under our show. A wretched nothing.”

Once upon a time those words had hit me hard, making me doubt if I was truly worthy of being with Viktor. His thoughts had gotten to my head. When Viktor had cut off all contact with him he had called me personally to leave him alone, spouting out all my insecurities. That was the last straw for me back then. After that, I had lost all shred of regard for him.

He neared me and I fought the urge to cringe at the rancid smell of alcohol.

“When you're done with your insults you can leave.” I said, “There isn't any wine here for you to enjoy.”

“You insolent -” he raised his hand as though to hit me and that was the last straw. I finally stood up to face him toe to toe.

“I don't remember asking you to come here and speak to me. Trust me, the last thing I want is to smell the stench of your alcohol. I only came here to work and last I checked you're not the CEO anymore so I have no business with you.” I said.

“Don't forget that I'm representing the company you reached out to. Your company needs mine, not the other way around so be careful of how you speak around me and what you say next Mr Reynolds.”

I tilted my head and raised my brows. “Unless you want to end this partnership yourself and let S Corps leave you all to your own devices, then be my guest.”

The silence grew as I waited for his response. My words were a bluff, I wasn't going to suddenly end the partnership just because of a few words. I never wanted to be the reason Jonathan would ever lose any opportunity.

But I didn't show it. I raised my eyebrows, daring him to oppose me and say something or attempt to hit me. I wouldn't take it lightly.

I knew he wouldn't though, because for all the sneers and his superiority complex, he was greedy and a coward, a horrid combination. He wasn't going to do anything to me when I faced him and he wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize the business if not for the sole reason of keeping his pockets full.

If only I had learned this years ago, I wouldn't have let him sink under my skin the way he did back then.

But there was no chance for regrets.

I watched him turn away furiously, stumbling out of the living room while he muttered before disappearing into a corner.

I sighed. Another problem solved. It seemed like staying in this house brought one problem after another. I sat down, ready to sip my tea when a voice broke out.

“How dare you talk to my father that way?”

I stiffened but for a completely different reason. Looking up I met his green eyes.

Viktor had finally come back.

Viktor glared at me from across the room. His appearance was disheveled with only a white unbuttoned shirt and telling from the fury in his sneer, it seemed that he heard what I told his father.

“So you're finally here.” I remarked, keeping my glare. He looked like a mess, where on Earth was he?

The anger and annoyance from his actions that led me here reignited.

“Make no mistake Eva, my word still stands.” He said glaring at me.

“You have no right to come to my family's home and mess with them.”

“It's Miss Greene to you, and I didn't ask to come here.” I snapped at him.

“You were the one who proposed finding you here. Rest assured, this is the last place I ever want to be in.”

“Yet you still came didn't you? To look for me?” He smirked victoriously and I lost the last strand of patience I had.

There was no need for a civil discussion anymore. If this was how he wanted to play, it would be better if I simply took the main thing I needed and left.

Clenching my jaw, I turned around and went back to the bag, pulling out the documents that brought me here. I wasn't going to spend any more time in this place.

I strode furiously back to him before pushing the document onto his chest.

“Sign this now.” I ordered.

My nose wrinkled at the smell of wine and perfume. it was obvious how ‘Unwell’ he was. God, I didn't even want to know where he was at.

His smirk widened into a shit eating grin as he completely ignored the document I was holding.

“I'm not in a good condition Miss Greene, so you'll have to come another time if you'd want an appointment.” he said

He definitely didn't want this the easy way and neither was I going to give it to him. Pushing the paper forward I glared,

“Sign it, or else I'll make sure I do even worse than today.”

His face fell a fraction and I used the first idea I had.

“Your fiance and father bothered me while I was here for professional reasons and you were absent to stop it. I don't mind telling the board that. Or maybe I'll record a video of your father, ‘The top CEO’s legacy’ being a classist drunk. It'll fit right in with the headlines two months ago. How about that?” I raised my eyebrow after,

He gritted his teeth and I fought the urge to smile. The one thing I knew he didn't mess with was family and reputation. Their reputation was already low and it was near heartless to touch on it, but I didn't care anymore. If he wanted to play dirty, so would I, at least this time.

Suddenly he snatched the document from my hand, taking out a pen from his pocket before signing it quickly and passing it to me. I had to fight the victorious grin I had as I took it.

Perhaps this could work out.

“What now?” He asked, making me look up again, “You didn't come up all this way just for a simple signature did you?”