Chapter 109


    Timothy stood in the bustling gym, sweat dripping from his brow as he pushed his body to the limit.


    The rhythmic thud of sneakers on the polished floor, the ng of weights, and the hum of


    conversation filled the air. It was his sanctuary, a ce where he could escape the chaos of his life


    and focus on his own


    strength and determination.


    Amidst the rhythmic thud of sneakers on the polished floor, his phone suddenly vibrated in his gym


    bag. Timothy paused, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple, as he fished out his phone and saw


    his father’s name shing on the screen.


    It was unusual for his father to call him. The silence between them was preferable, especially today


    of all days. He needed to release tension, and his father caused the opposite effect.


    Heaving a sigh, Timothy swiped the screen to answer the call, his voice strained from exertion.


    “Dad?” Timothy greeted, his breath heavy.


    “Timothy, it’s time we had a discussion,” came Kamran Hayes‘ firm and measured voice from the


    other end of the line. “I need you toe to my office.”


    Timothy’s brow furrowed in confusion. His father had always been distant, more preupied with


    his own business than with family matters. However, Timothy hadn’t expected his old man to


    actually develop a business in the years he’d distanced himself from the family.


    Even more unusual was the notion of a “discussion” with his father, the master of evasion. “Why?”


    Timothy asked, a hint of suspicion in his tone. “What’s this all about?”


    Kamran’s voice remainedposed. “I’ll exin when you get here. It’s important.”


    Timothy sighed, looking around at the plethora of moving bodies around him. The activity was


    dizzying. “Alright, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”


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    Ending the call, Timothy continued his workout, a sense of unease gnawing at him. His father’s


    sudden summons was perplexing. Moreover, he couldn’tprehend what handnded the man in


    an office of his own.


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    7


    The Hayes patriarch had always operated from home, asionally fishing for get rich quick


    schemes along the way, usually at the family’s detriment. He had seemed well–adjusted when his


    mother first met him, but the illusion fell rather quickly just months into their marriage. That alone


    dwindled any trust Timothy had in him.


    After a cold shower, Timothy made his way to his father’s office building, Fitzgerald and Co. The


    sleek, modern exterior of the building spoke of wealth and influence, that of which his own step–


    father had obtained, and Timothy couldn’t help but feel out of ce as he entered. He wasn’t


    exactly living a humble life himself, the corporate setting of it all let alien to him.


    He walked to the front desk and was greeted by the smiling face of receptionist in a pristine white


    suit. He returned the smile and leaned on the counter.


    “Hi, I have a meeting with Kamran Hayes. I’m his son, Timothy,” he exined. He waited, but the


    woman didn’t budge.


    “Of course! Everyone knows you!” she said chipperly. “Your father’s office is on the top floor. Head


    on up!”


    With a nod and a soft “thank you“, Timothy took the elevator to the top floor. The floor–to–ceiling


    ss


    windows offered panoramic views of the city. The bright blue skies merely alluded to a nice day,


    one that Kamran would single handedly soil.


    As he approached the office door, Timothy couldn’t help but wonder what awaited him on the other


    side.


    With a light knock, Timothy pushed his way into the room. Kamran sat behind his polished


    mahogany desk, a pristine symbol of power and authority. The room was decorated with tasteful


    opulence, and Timothy couldn’t help but feel like an intruder.


    Kamran looked up as his son entered, his expression unreadable. Timothy.” “Dad,” Timothy replied,


    taking a seat in front of the imposing desk.


    The air seemed to grow heavy with tension as Kamran regarded his son. “I’ve be increasingly


    concerned about the media attention you’ve been receivingtely.”


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    Timothy raised an eyebrow, perplexed by his father’s sudden interest in his life. “What media


    attention? It’s just sports coverage.”


    “Just sports coverage?” Kamran pressed, his eyes darkening. “Do sports channels. usually cover


    romance as well?”


    Just as Timothy opened his mouth to retort, the office door swung open, and Ste Fitzgerald


    waltzed in with an air of self–satisfaction. She was impably dressed, her fiery red hair cascading


    elegantly over her shoulders. Timothy took several steps backward.


    “Hello, Timothy,” Ste greeted with an affected sweetness that made Timothy’s skin crawl.


    Timothy’s confusion deepened, and he turned his attention back to his father, searching for


    answers. “Why is Ste here? What’s going on?”


    Kamran folded his hands together, his face stoic. “Timothy, I’ve heard rumors about your


    involvement with that ‘Evie‘ girl, and I’ve grown ufortable with it.”


    Timothy’s eyes narrowed, his irritation growing. “Evie is my…she’s important to me, Dad, and she


    was helping me out with my case-”


    Ste interjected with a sly smile. “Well, Timothy, perhaps it’s time to consider other options.”


    Timothy’s patience wore thin, and he leaned forward, his voice tinged with frustration. “This woman


    right here nearly cost me my career as a hockey yer. I won’t make that mistake again.”


    Kamran’s voice took on a sharper edge. “Timothy, why on Earth would you choose to be a


    hockey yer? Why couldn’t you be more like your step–brother, Andy?”


    The mention of Andy, Kamran’s biological son and Timothy’s step–brother, hit a nerve. It was a sore


    point in their rtionship, a constant source of tension. Timothy had always felt like an outsider in


    his own family, and his passion for hockey had only deepened the divide.


    Furious, Timothy pushed back his chair, rising to his feet. “I’m not Andy, Dad. I’m not interested in


    your business or your ns for me. Evie means the world to me, and I’d never give up on her.”


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    Ste’s satisfied grin faltered, and Kamran’s expression remained imcable, but Timothy had


    made his stance clear. Of course, Kamran never made it easy.


    Kamran finally spoke, his voice cold and calcting. “Timothy, I’ve decided to work with Ste’s


    father. There might be opportunities for you in his real estate


    ventures.


    Ste chimed in, her voice dripping with condescension. “My father has recently transitioned into


    real estate investing, you know, since he lost hisst job. Perhaps there’s a way for your father to


    work with him, too.”


    Timothy’s anger red, but he controlled his emotions. He couldn’t let his family’s expectations


    dictate his choices any longer.


    “I’m not interested in your business dealings, Dad,” Timothy replied icily, turning to leave the room.


    “And I’ve made a name for myself without your help.”


    With that, he turned and walked toward the door, purposefully avoiding Ste’s re on the way.


    Just before leaving, he stopped at the threshold and said. flippantly over his shoulder, “Have a


    pleasant life.”


    As he descended the elevator, his mind was filled with a greater sense of fear rather than


    confidence. He had the money and means to not let his family’s expectations. define his future


    anymore, but that didn’t shake away his memories of the past. Saying no to his father had a


    different effect now.


    His father’s bad side was thest ce he needed to be.


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