IMDD CHAPTER 219 [SEASON 3] (Patreon)

The city lights cast their illuminating gaze through the windows of the CEO’s office at ACEON.

It was already eleven in the evening, but Eva was still working. Her eyes zeroed in on the computer screen, where the reflections of spreadsheets and reports danced in her focused eyes.

A gentle knock pierced the silence. Eva’s gaze shifted towards the door. It creaked open, and her secretary entered.

“Ma’am,” Adela murmured, shutting the door with a soft click.

“I’ve told you, Adela, there’s no need to wait for me. You’re as stubborn as I am, aren’t you?” Eva smiled, shaking her head, though her fingers didn’t stop tapping on the keyboard.

“Err… Ma’am… Mr. Hunter is here. He insists on seeing you.”

Eva paused, her fingers hovering over the keys, and then she expelled a resigned sigh. “Alright, let him in.”

Moments later, Hunter’s deep sigh filled the room as soon as he entered. He studied Eva with concern. “Seriously though… sis-in-law, you’ve been like this for a while now. I’m honestly amazed that you’re not getting sick at this point.”

“I’m busy, Hunter,” Eva merely responded.

“If Gage saw you like this, he’d whisk you away to the ends of the earth just to make you stop.”

Eva’s fingers finally halted. The mere mention of Gage’s name immediately changed something in her demeanor. But she squared her shoulders and when her eyes met Hunter’s, her gaze were filled with nothing but firmness.

“What is it?”

“Grandpa asked me to check on you. That’s why I’m here.”

Eva took a soft sigh before responding. “Don’t tell him you found me here at this hour—”

“Why should I lie for you?” Hunter cut her off, his expression serious.

Eva knew that Hunter was just being concerned about her, and she couldn’t blame him. She could see genuine concern in his eyes and, honestly, Eva was really glad because she’d never expected that George and Hunter would treat her like this, even when Gage was gone. In fact, George and Hunter’s treatment of her had even improved to an extent Eva could have never imagined. And though there was this trauma that kept nagging within her, Eva felt in her heart that these two were different from the Youngs.

George and Hunter truly saw her as a part of their family and, if she was honest, she was still unable to adjust or get used to her new reality. Sometimes, her mind was still telling her not get used to it. But despite all these negative thoughts that kept filling her mind,  she was glad, utterly glad, that she at least had these two amazing people right now.

“It’s for Grandpa’s sake, Hunter. He’s just recovering, so don’t do anything that—”

“Then stop making him worry. You know the old man’s already very fond of you. He feels responsible now that Gage is…” Hunter paused. He turned and walked towards the floor to ceiling window and focused his gaze towards the sparkling city bellow.

“I’ll go visit him myself tomorrow,” Eva said. “And don’t worry, I’m not going to make myself sick. I’ll make sure to have proper rest starting tomorrow.”

Hunter took a long deep sigh before he leaned against the window, his tall and lean silhouette painted against the panoramic view of the cityscape.

“I know Gage is fine, thriving somewhere but… tell me, sis… will he ever come back to us?”

Eva looked at him. “I don’t know.” She replied, but her eyes turned a little fierce. “All I know is that I will bring him back, no matter what.”

Hunter smiled. He pushed himself off the window and faced Eva. “Then I guess, I’ll leave him to you. I know there’s no one who could possibly do that but you.”

The conversation drifted into silence again as Eva’s attention returned to her work.

“You should go –”

“I’ll send you back so finish whatever you’re rushing already.” Hunter sighed again, shaking his head.

“I’ll be done in a few minutes.” Eva merely replied, without lifting a glance when Hunter’s grave voice echoed.

"Sis, you need to be careful.” He warned. “The Youngs... they’re desperate, and desperation breeds madness."

Eva responded with a slight smirk, a nuanced gesture portraying confidence woven with an underlying current of caution. “I know. And don’t worry, my guards are more than capable. You know they’re the best in the field.”

Hunter sighed with a nod. "I know. Our family always ensured top-notch security. Still... you never can be too careful."