Zayne blinked his eyes open.
He hadn't slept all night. At some point, she even had her foot in his mouth, and now she was upside down on the bed, the heel of her foot stuck under his chin.
How did she even turn upside down?
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he shoved her legs off and got off the bed, leaving for the bathroom.
He splashed a palm full of water on his face and stared at his reflection in the wall mirror, at his eyes that had bags under them.
"What have I gotten myself into?"
"Why are you talking to yourself in the mirror?"
He flinched at her sudden voice, glancing at her frame behind him through the mirror. "What are you doing here?"
"Good morning to you too." Evelyn smiled at him and moved over to stand beside him at the sink. "Aren't we going to my company today?"
"Are you ready for that?"
She laughed. "Why not? They've already tried to kill me. What would be the point of not showing face at my own company? The other shareholders are coming too. Can't let them think I'm some coward or let them look down on me. If they want to kill me, they're going to have to try harder."
Zayne grunted. "Talking all big now, huh?"
"What does that mean?"
"I do remember a certain someone crying like a baby when I was the one shot."
She elbowed him, rolling her eyes as she picked up the toothpaste.
"Is that my toothbrush?" he questioned, lowering his gaze to the brand-new brush in her grip.
"What?" Evelyn blinked, then smiled. "Oh, this? Yeah, it is. You have a whole box of expensive toothbrush sets in that cabinet. I climbed the stool last night and took one."
His left eye twitched.
"What? Should I leave my teeth unbrushed? Ew, that's gross."
Zayne's brows dipped as he glared at her. He begrudgingly brushed right next to her, turning right after to head out of the bathroom.
By ten in the morning, they'd left in his car, driving off to her father's company—one that was now hers. Everyone, including the shareholders she was unaware of, was going to be there. That didn't exclude her siblings.
As crazy as it may sound, she believed they might have been the ones who tried to have her killed. After all, who else would want her dead?
The car pulled off the road, stopping right in front of a towering skyscraper building with the sign TDG built boldly above it.
Evelyn stepped down, rounding the car towards Zayne.
He was in a pair of his three-piece Italian suit. She, on the other hand, had no choice but to wear the same suit she'd had washed prior.
Drawing a deep breath, she fixed her sunglasses and interlocked her arm with his.
"What are you doing?" he grumbled.
She glanced around vigilantly. "I feel like we're being watched."
"We are. But why are you so close to me?"
"Why are you so grumpy this morning?"
"Maybe because I didn't get a wink of sleep last night!"
She let her gaze drag over him intentionally. "Well, I had a good sleep."
Zayne cracked an irritated smile and walked off. She moved hurriedly after him.
They stepped through the glass door, entered the building and as they approached the escalator, he asked, "Have you ever handled business people before?"
"A few times," she said. "Believe it or not, my father has had me work on a few of his presentations for him and even handled some of them in the boardroom."
"Don't you think that's why he gave the corporation to you?"
"No. In terms of qualifications, everyone will agree Preston is more fit. He'd been handling things like this since he was a teenager. There's no way my father ever thought I was more competent."
"You'd be surprised," he muttered.
They stepped off the escalator and headed towards the meeting room. Every worker they came across deeply bowed, a few holding a pondering look.
They'd yet to be informed of their new boss.
At the door, a staff member stood, bowing deeply, before stepping aside.
Zayne walked in first.
The glass-long table was already filled with businessmen and women—that didn't exclude Evelyn's siblings.
Preston,
Bradon,
And Lyra Darkwood.
He filled in and watched Evelyn walk in.
Despite her display of confidence, she was clearly overwhelmed underneath. Her hands were fisted.
Everyone rose to their feet for a brief greeting before sitting back.
She took the head chair and sat down, glancing at Zayne who was seated on her right-hand side, the closest.
That for some reason relieved her a bit.
She looked around, pausing at Preston who was gazing at her. Not just him, but Brandon and Lyra were, watching her as if hunting for prey.
Were they the ones who tried to kill her?
One of the female shareholders steepled her fingers, clearing her throat.
Evelyn glanced at the woman.
Middle-aged, black hair with a few gray in them. She was swathed in a clean suit, expression as hard as rock.
"You girl," the woman spoke. "You're the new boss of TDG? Sage Darkwood's daughter?"
"Yes, I am," Evelyn responded, tone surprisingly confident.
The woman's face grew derisive, head shaking in disapproval.
"You're not fit," she spat.
"What do you mean?"
"Listen, let me get to the point." Her lips grew into a smile. "Geralt already filled us in concerning the legal documents your father had made. But you have nothing to worry about. Not one of us here will sue you as we've all come to an agreement. So kindly, hand TDG over to Preston Darkwood. What do you say?"