novelraw Chapter 156: Carefully Orchestrated Trap
Chapter 156: Carefully Orchestrated Trap
Chapter 156: Carefully Orchestrated Trap
As Levi was driven out of the suburbs. He leaned back in the seat and stared unseeingly at the passing scenario, the image of Lyse lingering in his mind. He could not help but keep replaying their brief conversation at the women’s shelter on a loop, her soft voice, her searching gaze., her soft skin under his lips
He had told her that his charitable work had nothing to do with winning her back, that he was simply doing what he could to help. While it was true that he enjoyed the smiles on the faces of the little children, the truth was that, a small part of him hoped that his actions would show her the kind of man he truly was, the kind of man he still aspired to be for her. Maybe even impress her just the teeniest bit.
He knew he had made mistakes, terrible mistakes that had caused her immense anger at him and made her distrustful of him and his motives. But he also knew that he was capable of great love, of genuine compassion. He hoped that she could see that, that she could see past his past transgressions and recognize the good in him.
He was determined to do anything to keep Lyse by his side, nothing would give him greater joy. His gaze narrowed as he remembered that there was something that would change the tide for their relationship, make her see that he was not the piece of shit that she thought that he was.
Unfortunately for him, his hands were tied. He had to wait until the right time for everything to fall in place. Then, when Lyse knew the truth would she look favorably at him or would she still refuse to meet him halfway.
He reluctantly pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the board meeting that he had purposely dodged. He still felt uneasy about the sudden, unannounced gathering and that was why he refused to go at the states time. He knew that something was amiss, and he had no doubt that his scheming half brother had something to do with it.
The driver took him straight to the building that housed the Van Doren group, bypassing his house altogether. He checked his watch; he was about two hours late for the scheduled meeting.
As he walked into the building, there was a tense energy. The staff quickly scurrying out of his way as he walked along the doorway. You would expect that Levi would walk into an empty conference room, perhaps with a few disgruntled board members grumbling about his extreme tardiness.
But that was not happened, it seemed that everyone was eager to experience the drama that was about to ensue. Ethan had kept tabs on the meeting on his behalf, so Levi knew that they were still all waiting on his arrival.
As he stepped into the conference room, he was met with a sight that made his blood run cold. The room was full, exactly as Ethan had said, the board members seated around the large mahogany table. But the most striking detail was the presence of both Brett and Brandon, sitting side-by-side at the head of the table, their faces etched with... smiles.
Levi noted that this was not how a board meeting should look, especially one that had been scheduled scant hours ago. The atmosphere was too relaxed, too... expectant. It felt staged, he almost smiled.
As he walked further into the room, his footsteps echoing in the sudden silence. All eyes turned to him, the smiles on Brett and Brandon’s faces widening with pleasure. Levi noticed that Brett was seated at the head of the table.
"Levi!" Brett exclaimed, his voice laced with a false warmth. "There you are! We were beginning to think that you were not going to grace us with your presence, did something happen to you on the way?"
Brandon nodded, his smile equally disingenuous. "Yes, father," he said, sarcasm heavy in his voice. "We have been patiently waiting for you."
Levi’s gaze swept across the room, taking in the faces of the board members. They all seemed unusually quiet, their expressions guarded. He could sense the tension in the air, a palpable undercurrent of something he could not quite decipher.
"The meeting was scheduled hours ago," Levi said, his voice low and steady. "Why did you not start without me? I could have gotten the minutes for the meeting."
Brett chuckled, a low, almost sinister sound. "Because you are the esteemed guest of honor, Levi," he said, his smile widening. "We could not possibly begin without you... now that you are here however."
Levi’s suspicion deepened. He did not trust Brett’s overly friendly demeanor, nor Brandon’s forced smile. ’When even did Brandon and Brett become acquainted, are they here to watch my humiliation?’ Something was definitely wrong.
"What is this meeting about?" Levi asked, his voice firm.
Brett exchanged a quick glance with Brandon, their smiles widening even further.
"It is about the future of Van Doren Group of Companies, Levi," Brett said, his voice smooth as silk as he looked around the table at the people seated. "And your... role... in that future."
Levi remained silent and raised his eyebrows, his gaze fixed on Brett’s face. He could feel the tension in the room building, the air growing thick with anticipation. He knew this meeting was not going to be what everyone expected. It was a setup, a carefully orchestrated trap.
And it was their belief that he had just walked right into it. The forced smiles, the unusual presence of both Brandon and Brett in such a prominent position, the lack of his mother’s presence, it all pointed to something sinister, something planned. He braced himself, preparing for whatever they had planned. They thought that he would be caught off guard, what they did not know was that he was ready. He was not about to let them take what was his.