Chapter 7 - The Malibu Mirage
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By spring, Vanessa was no longer just a consultant; she was Ethan’s shadow.
They were spearheading an aggressive, reckless new expansion: a massive, ultra-luxury restaurant and tasting club in Malibu. It required twelve million dollars in outside capital.
Evelyn had run the preliminary numbers in secret. The project was a death trap. The real estate was too expensive, the labor market too tight, and the profit margins too thin. She warned Arthur, who subtly advised Ethan to delay the project and build cash reserves.
Vanessa was quick to poison the well.
“Your father is suffering from fear-based leadership, Ethan,” Vanessa murmured during a private lunch, her hand resting on his thigh. “He’s old. He’s afraid to let go. And Evelyn… well, some people are meant to maintain the status quo. Others are meant to build empires.”
Ethan swallowed the flattery whole.
Late one night, Ethan came home from a "strategy dinner" smelling faintly of expensive perfume. He found Evelyn at the kitchen island, deep into a spreadsheet, desperately trying to map out a payment schedule to prevent a supplier from halting deliveries the next day.
“You’re still playing CFO?” Ethan sneered, dropping his keys on the marble counter.
Evelyn rubbed her tired eyes. “We have a cash crunch with the glass supplier. If we don’t fix this by morning, Paso Robles shuts down.”
“That’s Dad’s problem,” Ethan scoffed, pouring himself a bourbon. “You know, Evelyn, I really think you just miss having a real job. You're creating drama to feel important.”
Evelyn stared at him. The man she loved was standing in front of her, completely ignorant of the fact that if she didn't fix this spreadsheet, his beloved Malibu project would lose its funding by Friday.
“Do you have any idea what I do all day?” she asked quietly.
May you like
“I know you need a hobby,” he replied, turning his back on her.
Evelyn closed her laptop. The next morning, she saved the Paso Robles plant. She didn't tell Ethan. She didn't tell anyone but Martin. But she finally understood that her marriage was running on borrowed time.
