Chapter 217: The battle had just begun
His movements were unusually cautious.
As though he wasn’t sure how I would react.
Only then did I notice the paper bag in his hand.
It looked familiar.
Alexander walked over to the bedside table and placed it down before carefully opening it.
A sweet scent immediately filled the room.
Inside was a small cake.
The same one I had asked for a few days ago.
He placed a plastic fork beside it before turning to me.
"I stopped by the bakery on the way here," he said quietly.
His voice was calm, but there was a hint of uncertainty beneath it.
"I thought you might like it."
He held the cake out to me.
For a brief moment, I stared at it.
Then I reached out and accepted it.
"Thank you."
The moment the words left my mouth, Alexander visibly froze.
His eyes widened slightly, as though he hadn’t expected me to accept it.
Or perhaps he simply hadn’t expected me to thank him.
A second later, he pulled out a chair and sat beside the bed.
"Maria said they’re discharging you today."
His gaze lingered on me.
"Are you sure you’re alright? If you want to stay a few more days, we can."
I shook my head.
"I’m fine."
The truth was, I hated hospitals.
Especially now.
It felt as though I had spent more time inside hospital rooms these past few months than anywhere else.
I lowered my eyes and took a bite of the cake.
The familiar sweetness spread across my tongue.
Alexander didn’t try to persuade me.
Nor did he bring up yesterday’s argument.
Instead, he simply sat there quietly.
Watching me eat.
For the first time since everything happened, neither of us argued.
The silence between us remained.
But it no longer felt as sharp as before.
Third person POV
"Sir, I’m sorry, but you can’t—"
Daniel Caldwell didn’t wait for the assistant to finish.
He pushed open the CEO’s office door and strode inside.
At that moment, Tristin Blackwood was seated with Miles Harper and another executive. Documents were spread across the desk as they discussed how to address the growing problems facing Blackwood Dominion Enterprises.
All three men looked up at the sudden intrusion.
"Daniel?" Tristin raised a brow.
"We need to talk."
Daniel’s voice was tight with frustration.
"As you can see, I’m in the middle of something important."
"Then would you prefer we have this conversation in front of them?"
The room fell silent.
Tristin immediately understood what Daniel was implying. There were certain matters that were better discussed privately.
Sensing the tension, Miles stood up.
"We’ll excuse ourselves for now, CEO Blackwood. The discussion can continue later."
The other executive rose as well.
A moment later, they quietly left the office, closing the door behind them.
The atmosphere instantly grew heavier.
Daniel was the first to break the silence.
"What’s this?"
He tossed a file onto the desk.
Tristin calmly picked it up and flipped through the contents before looking back at him.
"Isn’t it clear enough?"
He closed the file.
"Blackwood Dominion Enterprises is terminating all partnerships and ongoing projects with Echelon Industries."
"It’s not like I can’t read."
"Then what’s the problem?"
Daniel’s expression darkened.
"Have you forgotten our deal? I helped you get that position. In return, every major project was supposed to go through Echelon Industries."
"And it did."
Tristin remained calm.
"Then why are you suddenly terminating our contracts?"
"Because we’re dissatisfied with your performance."
Daniel laughed coldly.
"What performance? Are you seriously trying to play games with me?"
He stepped closer.
"Do you know how much money Echelon Industries stands to lose from this?"
"That’s hardly my concern."
Tristin leaned back in his chair.
"As a company, we have every right to terminate contracts that no longer benefit us."
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
"Don’t forget how you got that seat."
His voice dropped.
"You’re CEO because of me."
The threat in his words was obvious.
"And I can just as easily take it away."
To his surprise, Tristin smiled.
It was the first time he had seen Daniel this angry.
And perhaps for the first time, he truly saw the man standing before him.
All those years, Daniel had been manipulating him while pretending to help.
The realization was almost laughable.
"Sure," Tristin said.
"You helped me acquire shares and pushed the executives into replacing Alexander."
He paused.
"But what ultimately got me this position was my own work and the fact that I’m a Blackwood."
Daniel froze.
His expression darkened.
He had never expected Tristin to turn against him.
A mocking smile slowly appeared on his face.
"If being a Blackwood was enough, then why weren’t you chosen in the first place?"
The smile barely lasted a second.
Tristin looked at him steadily.
"If it wasn’t important, then why didn’t you take the company for yourself?"
For the first time, the confidence on Daniel’s face cracked.
Tristin continued calmly.
"I know you’ve always wanted more power than you already have."
Daniel remained silent.
"The contracts have already been terminated."
Tristin slid the file back across the desk.
"And we have sufficient documentation proving Echelon Industries failed to meet our expectations."
His gaze sharpened.
"So legally, there’s nothing you can do about it."
"If I were you, I’d leave things here."
Daniel knew he was right.
If word got out that Blackwood Dominion had cut ties with Echelon Industries due to poor performance, the damage to Echelon’s reputation would be devastating.
The fallout would be worse than the financial losses.
Seeing no immediate way to recover the situation, Daniel slowly stepped forward until he stood beside the desk.
He leaned down slightly.
"This isn’t over."
Then he turned to leave.
"I never said it was."
Daniel stopped.
His stride slowed.
Behind him, Tristin’s voice turned cold.
"In fact..."
He paused.
"More is still coming."
For the first time that day, unease flashed through Daniel’s eyes.
But he didn’t stop.
Without another word, he walked out of the office.
His expression was thunderous.
Thankfully, he had never revealed all of his secrets to Tristin.
Yet the confidence in Tristin’s voice unsettled him.
It sounded as though he knew something.
And if he knew something...
Then what else was coming?
Daniel clenched his jaw and continued down the corridor.
The battle between them had only just begun.
