Chapter 59

"I've heard you're not looking to sell, so I won't waste time suggesting it," Tristan said.

He leaned forward, his gaze steady. "What I want is to become a shareholder."

Evelyn's eyes brightened instantly.

"You're serious about this, Mr. Chamberlain?" she asked, barely containing her surprise.

"Absolutely. But before we sign anything, there are two matters we need to discuss," Tristan replied, sliding a folder across the table. "This is a proposal my team drafted. Thornfield Industries won't survive if it continues on its current path. We're running a business, not a charity. Profit is the only thing that ensures longevity."

Evelyn flipped through the documents quickly, her fingers tracing the bold headings. "Can I take this back to discuss with my team?"

"Of course."

"Thank you," she murmured, lifting her glass of water for a sip.

Then she met his gaze squarely. "You mentioned a second matter?"

Before this meeting, she hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.

Now that the main point was settled, she felt lighter—until his next words.

"I'm Bianca Chamberlain's brother," Tristan said bluntly. "Half-brother, to be precise."

The moment the words left his mouth, Evelyn's composed expression shattered.

Bianca Chamberlain… Tristan Chamberlain…

No wonder he had seemed familiar.

He was Bianca's brother all along.

Evelyn and Bianca had never gotten along. And now, her brother wanted to invest in her company?

Was this some kind of joke?

She couldn't help but question Tristan's true motives.

"My relationship with Bianca isn't typical. Different mothers, and I was named heir to the family business," he explained.

"Are you telling me this because you know I don't get along with your sister?" Evelyn asked carefully. "Did she mention it?"

"She's obsessed with Dominic Blackwood. Given your history with him, I assumed she'd made things difficult for you—even if she never admitted it."

"Exactly. We despise each other. Which is why I need time to consider working with you," Evelyn said bluntly.

Tristan hadn't expected such a sharp reaction.

"Miss Thorne, as Thornfield Industries' leader, your priority should be your company's survival. Hundreds of employees depend on you. Your issues with Bianca don't concern me. Don't take them out on me—I'm innocent."

His tone was calm, almost soothing. It was hard to stay angry.

"I'm not a seasoned executive, Mr. Chamberlain. Things between Bianca and me aren't simple. As her brother, I have every right to be cautious about you," Evelyn countered.

"Think it over, then. I'll wait for your answer," Tristan said, his lips curving into a confident smile.

Evelyn nodded and stood to leave.

News of Veritas Capital's potential investment in Thornfield Industries spread like wildfire.

Dominic's expression darkened when he heard.

Tristan was a ruthless opportunist.

There was no way his intentions were pure.

Though they'd known each other for years, they were hardly close.

If not for Bianca, they would have lost contact long ago.

"Dominic, I called Thornfield Industries earlier. Evelyn met with Tristan Chamberlain today and agreed to a collaboration. If he invests a hundred and fifty million, she won't refuse—especially since he's only taking a passive role," Adrian reported.

Dominic's voice turned icy. "It sounds to me like he's trying to buy Evelyn, not the company."