Marriage with my daughter's father: Darling please be gentle - Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: You are having second thoughts
The next morning, Winter got ready for work. After dropping Seren off at school, she and Kalix made their way toward the company.

As usual, she got off a stop away from the building and walked the pathway leading to the company’s gates. However, her steps halted when a sleek car sped past her, nearly brushing against the bag in her hand. Stunned, she froze in place.

Her eyes darkened the moment she recognized the vehicle. And the second Dianna Thames stepped out, a fresh wave of irritation coursed through her.

Winter’s mind instantly drifted back to her conversation with Kalix the night before. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself forward, following the ever-ignorant Dianna into the building.

She had just reached her desk when Dianna’s sharp voice called her to the office.

Irritated, Winter placed her bag on the table and headed toward the office, her patience already wearing thin.

Dianna was flipping through a file when Winter knocked on the door and stepped inside.

The moment their eyes met, a cold tension settled between them. Winter clenched her jaw, suppressing the urge to confront Dianna for even daring to lay her eyes on Kalix. But she held herself back, recalling Kalix’s confession.

‘She didn’t stand a chance.’

Those words echoed in her mind, easing the insecurities that had tried to creep in.

Taking a slow breath, Winter schooled her expression and kept her tone professional. “How can I help you, Miss Dianna?”

Dianna’s lips twitched, displeased by her formal demeanor.

She still hadn’t forgotten how Kalix had ditched their meeting the moment he found out Winter wouldn’t be attending. And the worst part? Winter wasn’t even flaunting it. She wore that same ignorant, unaffected look that made Dianna’s blood boil.

“You think just because you have Kalix by your side, I’ll let you win?” Dianna’s expression darkened as she stood, stepping toward Winter with a dangerous edge.

She had already disabled the cameras in her office, using the excuse that they were malfunctioning. Now, she could face Winter head-on without fear of being caught.

Winter, however, merely smirked. Finally, the mask was slipping. She could tell Dianna had been barely holding herself back, and it hadn’t even taken much effort to strip away her pretense.

“And how exactly do you plan to stop me?” Winter mused, tilting her head. “By hiring someone to abduct me? Or by instructing the manager to keep me waiting on purpose?” She clicked her tongue. “Tsk, tsk. Dianna, I thought you were better than that. Or should I say…you’re just as pathetic as your brainless friend.”

Dianna stiffened, staring at Winter in disbelief. She hadn’t expected Winter to catch on so quickly.

“What’s wrong?” Winter asked, feigning innocence. “Did I hit a nerve?”

Her amusement faded as her expression turned icy. “I know exactly what you and Agnes are up to.” She paused and saw the blood drain from her face.

“And as much as she is underestimating me, I will give you a piece of advice.” She said, taking a step closer. “Don’t bother me unnecessarily because I might ignore you once or twice, but the third time it would be heads-on.”

Dianna gritted her teeth in anger at Winter’s warning.

“You… what do you think you’re saying, huh?” She snapped, trying to regain control of the conversation. But the confident smile on Winter’s face made her falter.

“You know exactly what I’m saying, Dianna,” Winter said smoothly, her voice unwavering. “And if you don’t stop, I just might have to step out of my comfort zone to show you exactly where you went wrong.”

A shiver ran down Dianna’s spine. There was no hesitation in Winter’s tone, no filter, no bluff. She meant every word.

Stunned, Dianna took a step back, her confidence wavering as she fumbled for control. “G-Go get me my coffee,” she snapped.

Winter smirked, satisfied to see the cat finally catch her tongue. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out of the room, leaving Dianna still shaken by her words.

***

[Greyson International]

After resuming work, Bryon encountered numerous problems the company had faced in his absence. Not only had they lost a significant amount of stock, but they had also forfeited several projects, all thanks to David’s incompetence.

However, through it all, Eric remained steadfast in his role, working tirelessly to keep the company afloat. It was surprising, but Bryon had to admit it impressed him to an extent.

“I’m glad you’ve stayed true to your work ethic, Eric,” Bryon remarked, his gaze sharp. “But there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask. Why did you refuse the CEO position David tried to hand you?”

He watched Eric intently. The man who was once Winter’s lover now stood as Agnes’s fiancé.

Someone Bryon had deliberately kept close. Because no matter how competent Eric seemed, there was always something off about him, something Bryon had yet to uncover.

Eric was taken aback by Bryon’s rare acknowledgment. The old man hardly ever appreciated his efforts—let alone him. But sensing Bryon’s curiosity about his decision to reject the CEO position, Eric knew there was something he was trying to dig out of him.

“I would have appreciated it if the offer had come from you, Mr. Bryon, because I’ve always looked up to you,” Eric said smoothly. “But that doesn’t mean I question my boss’s decision. At the time, it just didn’t feel right. Looking back, I’m glad I made the choice I did.”

His words were optimistic, but Bryon wasn’t entirely convinced.

With a slow nod, Bryon leaned back in his chair. He had always wanted to dig deeper into Eric’s past, but every background check yielded little of significance. It was too limited, too controlled. And that only added fuel to his suspicions.

“Well,” Bryon said, watching Eric closely, “if the opportunity arises in the future, I might consider you for the position.”

Eric simply nodded, his expression unreadable, before excusing himself from the office.

After taking a few steps, Eric stopped, glancing over his shoulder suspiciously. However, he didn’t dwell on it for long and continued toward his office.

Once inside, he sank into his chair, his mind still reeling from the news. Agnes had informed him that Bryon was back and that he had threatened to sue her father for the stunts he pulled. Eric wasn’t surprised. He knew David wouldn’t be able to stand against Bryon. As expected, David had chosen to withdraw, transferring his shares and remaining CEO in name only.

Leaning back in his chair, Eric mulled over the past. Bryon had always looked down on him, making no effort to hide his disdain. But now, all of a sudden, he was being nice and that wasn’t a good sign.

Everyone knew Bryon Greyson was a crafty man. Ruthless to the outside world but a devoted protector to those he cared about. And knowing that he was caught somewhere in between, Eric decided it was best to simply play it cool for now.

Eric continued working, but soon, his thoughts drifted to Winter.

Since their last encounter at the hospital, he had been trying to keep his distance from her. But every time the thought of her being involved with someone else crossed his mind, his blood boiled with rage.

That day, she had slapped him for questioning her relationship with that man. Yet, instead of clearing his doubts, it had only strengthened his suspicions, convincing him that she was secretly seeing another man.

Frustrated, Eric slammed his laptop shut and leaned back in his chair. Every time he closed his eyes, the image of Winter stepping into another man’s car replayed in his mind. And every time he tried to figure out who that man was, his anger reached its breaking point.

“Who the hell is he? Is he the same bastard from that night, or is he someone else?”

His chest heaved as he struggled to calm himself when, suddenly, his phone rang, interrupting his thoughts.

Without bothering to check the caller ID, he answered, and the roaring voice on the other end jolted him upright.

“Bryon is back, and you still haven’t informed me?!”

Eric blinked, shaking off the haze of his frustration as confusion settled in.

“I-I was going to inform you, Father,” he stammered, trying to mask his lie.

Lately, his thoughts had been consumed by Winter, causing him to neglect keeping his father updated. But now that his father had found out on his own, Eric knew this was a test—a chance to prove his capability.

Eric was about to explain, but his father cut him off.

“I hope you’re not getting distracted by Winter. I’m warning you, Eric, if that’s the case, let her go.”

His father’s sharp tone sent a wave of tension through him, his expression darkening.

When Eric remained silent, the man continued, “I think it’s time for you to get married.”

The words stunned Eric, and he quickly jumped to deny them. “But I don’t want to-”

“Then I suppose I was right,” his father interrupted smoothly. “You’re having second thoughts, aren’t you, Eric?”

Eric paused, at a loss for words. His silence was all the confirmation his father needed, and he could practically feel the man’s rage simmering through the phone.