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Novel Catalog
Chapter 20
Eden’s breath caught in her throat. She had expected some resistance, but Victor’s words were blunt and final. It was clear that he was not the kind of man who entertained excuses, and this was no time for hesitation. Her heart raced, her thoughts spiraling. She hadn’t anticipated a decision this quick.
Victor’s sharp gaze never wavered from her, and his eyes carried a touch of challenge, as if daring her to argue further. His cold demeanor made her feel as though there was no space for negotiation, but Eden’s pride wouldn’t let her back down.
Taking a moment to gather herself, Eden set her jaw firmly. “Mr. Alwynn,” she began, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “I understand your position, but I would like to make it clear that my commitment to this role is genuine. However, my family and responsibilities in Gate City cannot be ignored. I do not wish to leave them behind.”
Victor studied her, his expression unreadable. His eyes flickered with something—perhaps impatience, perhaps curiosity. “Your family,” he repeated, as if the idea was foreign to him. “And that’s why you’re willing to turn down a promotion that could change your life?”
Eden nodded, unwavering. “Yes, Mr. Alwynn. Family comes first.”
For a moment, the room was filled with an almost palpable silence. Victor seemed to be considering her words, his face still impassive. He seemed to be debating something, perhaps weighing the unexpected firmness of Eden’s response. The tension in the air was thick enough to suffocate anyone unaccustomed to his presence.
Finally, Victor stood up, pushing the chair back with a quiet scrape. He walked over to the window, his back to Eden. “I respect your dedication to your family,” he said, his voice lower than before. “But let me make one thing clear. You’re here now, at the headquarters, because I see potential in you. And I won’t let you hide behind your family as an excuse. You’ll figure it out.”
Eden felt a mixture of relief and frustration. She wasn’t sure if Victor was being understanding or dismissive. He wasn’t giving her the option to refuse, and that, in itself, spoke volumes about the type of person he was.
He turned back to her, his cold eyes softening, just slightly. “You’re not going back to the branch office. You’ll stay here. I’ll make sure your position is secure. But you need to prove to me that you can handle it. Prove to me that you won’t let personal matters interfere with business.”
Eden couldn’t hide the surprise on her face. He was forcing her into a corner, but the way he said it made it clear that he was testing her, pushing her to see how far she would go. His gaze was calculating, but there was something almost… expectant in it. He didn’t just want her to succeed; he wanted her to thrive.
“Understood,” Eden replied, her voice resolute. “I will make sure my work here speaks for itself. I won’t let you down, Mr. Alwynn.”
Victor gave her a slight nod, as if satisfied with her response. “Good. Then we’ll see how well you manage both your responsibilities here and at home.” His smile was sharp, almost too knowing, as though he had already anticipated her decision.
Eden knew this wasn’t going to be easy. There would be challenges ahead, but for her family’s future—and her own—she had to rise to them.
As she walked out of Victor’s office, her mind was buzzing with the weight of what had just transpired. Her future here, at Alwynn Group, was now uncertain in ways she hadn’t expected, but the fire to prove herself was already burning brighter than ever.