At home, his father was reading Johan's report about Evan's success.
"I didn't expect him to handle such a big project this well," he said to his wife.
His mother smiled proudly. "I always believed he could—he just needed the chance."
Evan's father nodded. "I need to start thinking about when the right time is to truly hand over greater responsibilities to him."
Evan didn't know it, but his father had begun considering giving him a bigger role in the company.
This success didn't just shift Evan's career—it also changed how people around him saw him.
Amid the busyness of his projects, Evan still made time to occasionally visit the park Nadira was working on. Not just to check on the progress, but because he genuinely enjoyed talking with Nadira—someone who, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, made him want to stay around longer each time.
One afternoon, he showed up unannounced, finding Nadira standing with her hands on her hips, observing her workers arranging ornamental plants around the park.
"You're really hands-on, huh," Evan quipped as he walked up.
Nadira turned and gave a small smile. "If I'm not, the plants might die."
Evan chuckled. "I meant, you actually show up to the site. A lot of vendors just send their staff and don't care about the outcome."
"I'm not like that," Nadira said firmly. "For me, every project has to be done with heart."
Evan fell silent for a moment, looking at her. There was something in him that grew more certain—Nadira wasn't just another landscape business owner. She was hardworking, principled, and genuinely cared about what she did.
When the park was finally completed, Evan's office received a flood of compliments. Some directors even praised its fresh and elegant concept. One manager said, "I never imagined an office park could look this good. Which vendor did it?"
Evan gave a small smile. "An old acquaintance."
But Johan, sitting across from him, looked at Evan meaningfully, as if he knew this project was more than just business.
On her end, Nadira had started hearing about the projects Evan handled. Several clients and colleagues spoke of him with respect.
"Evan's a huge asset to the company. He's not just the owner's son—he's got a sharp business mind."
Those comments made Nadira reconsider things. From the start, she had pretended not to know Evan's background—not to play games, but because she wanted to get to know Evan as a person, not as the heir to a company. But the more she heard, the harder it became to ignore the truth—Evan was genuinely talented.
That evening, Evan invited Nadira to dinner at a more relaxed place. No formality, just the two of them. The conversation flowed naturally, from projects, hobbies, to small topics like favorite food.
When Evan finally looked at her seriously, Nadira already had a feeling what he was about to say.
"Nadira, I'm serious about you."
Unlike before, this time Nadira didn't deflect or try to change the subject. She exhaled slowly, then smiled.
"I know, Evan."
Evan waited, heart pounding.
Nadira looked into his eyes, then finally nodded. "I want this too."
For the first time since they met, Nadira no longer pulled away. And Evan knew—this was the beginning of something bigger.
Reza wasn't someone who got jealous easily. Since college, he and Evan had always been on their own paths, living life their own way. But seeing Evan, who had just returned to work for about a year, suddenly rise to prominence in the eyes of their superiors—Reza couldn't lie to himself. There was an uneasy feeling inside him.
On paper, Reza was more senior. He had been working for four years, while Evan had only three. But in reality? Evan was skyrocketing. His projects always succeeded, his name was frequently mentioned in board meetings, and on several occasions, the higher-ups specifically requested him to handle major clients.
That afternoon, Reza sat in his office, tapping the end of his pen against the desk while staring at his laptop screen. A new email had just arrived—a summary of Evan's latest project. The result? As always, flawless.
Reza sighed softly. He should be proud of his friend, but there was one thing that kept gnawing at him: Evan may not be using his family name directly, but everyone still knew who he was. Maybe that was why people trusted him more easily.
Or maybe Reza was just looking for a way to justify his envy.
Later that day, when they both met in the office pantry, Reza leaned against the counter, sipping coffee. Evan walked in to grab a bottle of water from the fridge, then turned toward him.
"You've been looking busy lately," Reza commented casually.
Evan chuckled. "Same as you. The difference is, my projects get more compliments."
Evan's joking tone made Reza laugh, but deep down, something still didn't sit right.
"You've risen fast, Van," Reza finally said, more seriously. "I'm not saying you're riding on your name—you've worked hard. But still… I've been here longer, yet you're the one shining."
Evan paused before taking a sip of water. "I started from the bottom too, Rez. You know that. I wasn't given any special treatment."
Reza nodded. He did know that. But still, something nagged at him.
"Aren't you afraid?" he asked suddenly.
Evan frowned. "Afraid of what?"
"Afraid that all your accomplishments will be seen as just because you're the owner's son?"
Evan gave a small, steady smile. "Maybe I used to be. But now? I've proven myself. If people still want to think I'm just riding a name, that's on them."
Evan's voice was calm and confident, as always. Reza looked at his friend and sighed.
"You really never change, huh," he murmured—half envious, half admiring.
That afternoon, Evan and Nadira were strolling through a shopping mall after lunch. Nadira was excitedly talking about her plans to expand her plant business, while Evan listened, occasionally nodding or making a comment.
The mall was fairly crowded. People passed by with shopping bags in hand, some sat at cafés enjoying coffee, while others browsed store windows. New Year decorations had begun to go up in various corners, adding a warm festive touch to the year's end.
But suddenly, Evan's steps slowed. A strange chill ran through him—a feeling of being watched.
He turned his head to the right and locked eyes with someone staring at him intensely.
Sienna.
Evan's heart skipped a beat.
The girl, now around thirteen, stood several meters away, dressed in a black hoodie and jeans. Her face had matured since Evan last saw her, but her expression was the same—cold and filled with hatred.
Sienna didn't say a word. She didn't move closer or farther away. She just stood there, glaring at Evan like she wanted to burn him alive with her gaze.
Evan froze.
For a moment, it felt like he was thrown back in time—to that day years ago when a younger Sienna, voice trembling with rage and loss, had told him she would kill him one day.
And now, she was still here. And that look in her eyes hadn't changed.
His heart began to pound.
"Evan?" Nadira's voice snapped him back.
He blinked and turned away. "Hm?"
"What's wrong?" Nadira frowned and followed his gaze. But by the time she looked around, Sienna had already turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Evan swallowed hard.
"Nothing, just thinking about work," he said quickly, trying to brush off the unease creeping up inside him.
Nadira eyed him suspiciously but eventually shrugged. "If work's stressing you out that much, you need a vacation."
Evan gave a faint smile, but his mind was still stuck on that figure.
She hadn't forgotten.
And her hatred hadn't faded one bit.