She was shy, and Edwin never pushed her into anything she didnât want to do.
He and his father would support the family anyway.
The women just needed to be taken care of and didnât need to worry about other things.
He drove to the venue by himself.
As the car left the villa, he spotted a familiar face.
A black Land Rover was parked at the gate of their villa, quietly in the night sky under the moonlight.
It was Raphael, the tech nouveau riche, leaning against his car, puffing on a cigarette Like heâd been waiting there for ages.
Edwin chuckled to himself.
He stopped the car and rolled down the window.
âHey there, Mr.
Jones.
Enjoying the moonlight? Not exactly a scenic spot here, though.
Youâre kind of blocking the way for others.
â
âs BunnyBookery
Raphael lowered his eyes and met Edwinâs gaze.
He recognized Edwin⦠Markâs capable son.
When heâd returned to start his own business, his ultimate target had been the Evans Group.
Now, the opportunity was ripe, but he couldnât make a move.
The irony of it all wasnât lost on him.
Edwin raised his hand and rested his elbow on the car window.
âBut if youâre waiting for Olivia, Iâve got news for you.
Sheâs back in Czanch with our mom! She might even go on some blind dates later⦠Girls her age should be thinking about marriage! You canât put all your eggs in one basket, especially when that basket never made you feel essential.
Donât you think so, Mr.
Jones?â
Raphael blew smoke rings as he heard Edwin speak.
Edwin pressed the button, rolling up the window slowly.
His voice carried off with the wind.
âMr.
Jones, time doesnât wait for anyone, and no one waits forever⦠If you canât let go of the grudge in your heart, maybe itâs best you donât mess with my sister anymore.
Otherwise, both sides will end up getting hurt.
â
The black Bentley glided away, slowly disappearing into the night.
Raphael finished his cigarette slowly, letting Edwinâs words sink in.
Olivia had returned to Czanch.
She was going on blind dates, possibly even getting ready to marry someone elseâ¦
He flicked the cigarette butt, got into the car and started the engine, heading west toward Czanch.
Driving through the night, he arrived in Czanch as the morning light started to filter through.
Instead of going to a hotel, he steered the car directly to the gate of Evans residence.
He remembered being here as a child, with his mother.
Back then, he was still too young and so was Olivia.
The little girl under the wisteria tree had later grown up and he didnât even recognize her when they met again.
And she hadnât recognized him eitherâ¦
Raphael stood at the entrance of Evans Gardon.
He thought about his difficult childhood and felt only sadness.