Chapter 188: Deeper Than the Oceans (4)
~Bonus Chapter for today:
This Chapter is dedicated to "Nanie_Garcia_5461". Thank you so much for the Magic Castle! I owe you a big thanks!
*****
As soon as Nick stepped down from the stage, the room erupted with energy. Applause thundered, but before he could even take a proper breath, people swarmed toward him. Investors, shareholders, and top business leaders surrounded him like moths to a flame, each eager to shake his hand, pitch proposals, or strike new deals.
He was practically dragged to the side, swallowed into a whirlpool of powerful names and ambitious offers, his sharp suit and commanding presence only making him shine brighter in the crowd.
While Nick entertained the flood of attention, the program flowed on, announcing the major promotions across the Knight Group of Companies. The air buzzed with excitement, pride, and whispers about the bold new era Nick had just promised.
When the speeches ended, the ballroom staff guided everyone toward their round tables for dinner. It was clear Vicky had orchestrated the seating chart with surgical precision.
Ella and Georgia were placed at her table alongside a circle of poised female executives and investors—safe ground and filled with allies. Her brothers were clustered with Oliver and other business partners, while their parents sat with the COO and CFO of the company, plus other business partners.
On the other side of the room, Nancy, Sarah, and Raymond were deliberately scattered at separate tables, tucked far apart from one another. Vicky’s handiwork was unmistakable—anyone who might cause chaos had been carefully disarmed with distance.
Just as Georgia settled into her chair, a familiar voice chimed behind her.
"I think I sit at this table."
Georgia spun around, her eyes widening.
"Oh my God!" she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Evelyn!" Vicky’s delighted squeal filled the air as she rushed to hug the newcomer. "You’re finally here! I’m so glad you could make it!"
Georgia shot up from her seat, her heart skipping, but instead of hugging immediately, she took a step back to take in Evelyn’s stunning appearance. Evelyn’s hair was swept neatly into a sleek top bun, a polished contrast to Georgia’s effortless messy knot.
Her sleeveless olive-green cocktail dress hugged her figure perfectly, the deep V-neckline daring yet elegant, while the pencil skirt with its subtle wrap-around detail gave her a sophisticated edge.
"Wow," Georgia breathed out, her eyes shimmering with awe. "I almost didn’t recognize you. You look like a goddess!"
Evelyn let out a warm laugh, her eyes twinkling. "Hey, that’s too much of a compliment—you’re the goddess here."
Only then did she step forward, pulling Georgia into a tight, affectionate hug.
"I’ll be seeing you more often from now on," Evelyn teased with a knowing smile.
Georgia blinked, pulling back from their hug and furrowing her brows. "Really? Don’t tell me you’re done sailing already? You’re not going on board anymore?"
"Nope," Evelyn said, shaking her head with a grin that practically glowed. "In fact, I’ve already terminated my contract with Meyer Enterprise."
Georgia’s eyes widened in shock. "What? But you still had more than a month left, right? Don’t tell me you actually paid the termination fee?"
"I did," Evelyn admitted breezily, her tone holding a playful pride. "Well, technically, my new boss did."
Georgia gasped. "Wow, your new boss must be really generous."
Evelyn’s smile turned radiant. "He is. He even promised me a huge bonus just for accepting this job."
Georgia leaned closer, her curiosity bubbling over. "So? Where are you working now?"
Evelyn let her grin widen as she dropped the bombshell. "At Knight Fleet Maritime—as the new CEO’s secretary." She wiggled her brows mischievously before flashing her hand, a dazzling diamond ring catching the chandelier lights. "And... I’m getting married! That’s why I accepted the job too, to settle on land."
Georgia’s jaw dropped, her eyes sparkling with pure excitement. "Oh my God!" she squealed before throwing her arms around Evelyn again. "Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! And you’ll be beside Nick every day too, just like when we were all onboard together. But wait—" she leaned back, still clutching her friend’s arms, her curiosity exploding— "who’s the lucky guy you’re going to marry?"
Evelyn’s grin softened into something dreamy. "You know him... Steven Graham."
Georgia’s mouth fell open again. "Wait—Steven? As in the Chief Officer?"
"Yes!" Evelyn laughed, her cheeks glowing with joy. "He’ll be joining Nick, too, after his current contract ends. He couldn’t terminate early like Nick and I did, since Sarah had already left, and there aren’t many high-ranking officers left to run the ship. But once this contract is done, he’s coming over."
"Poor him. The management must be furious about how things turned out," Georgia said softly.
"Yes," Evelyn nodded. "Nick even wanted to pay for Steve’s termination fee since he’ll be making him the project manager for the new ships he’s adding. But Steve refused. He said he couldn’t leave yet—not while so many crew members were still relying on him."
Georgia’s lips curved into a warm smile. "That makes sense... and honestly, I admire that. But I’m just glad you’ll both finally settle on land. It’s the best choice, especially now that you’re about to start a family."
"Speaking of family," Evelyn leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "have you noticed Sarah and her parents? They’ve been staring this way ever since I walked in. That’s actually how I found this table—I just followed their eyes, and guess what? They were glued on you."
Georgia blinked in surprise. "Really? I haven’t even seen them. My ex should be here too... and that woman who pushed me overboard. But so far? Not a glimpse."
"That’s because," Vicky cut in with a smirk, "I made sure their tables are as far away from ours as possible. I don’t want them anywhere near you. Raymond’s temporary restraining order just ended, and I refuse to give him a chance to come sniffing around."
"I actually saw them earlier," Ella added, tilting her head. "On my way back from the bathroom, I spotted them through the window outside. They were arguing. Raymond looked ready to explode while Nancy was practically wringing her hands."
"Let them," Georgia said with a shake of her head. "I don’t care anymore what they do with their lives. I’m happy with mine."
As if on cue, waiters glided between tables, serving the first course. Conversations resumed, silverware clinked, and the ballroom filled with the hum of dinner chatter. But even as Georgia tried to focus on the food and laughter at her table, her curiosity tugged at her.
Her eyes wandered and then froze. She spotted them. Nancy and Sarah were on their respective tables, their heads bent close, engrossed in their meal and conversation. But Raymond... Raymond wasn’t doing the same.
He was staring.
Their eyes locked one each other across the ballroom, and for a heartbeat, everything else faded. Slowly, he lifted his wine glass, tilting it toward her in a mocking toast before taking a slow sip, his gaze never leaving hers.
Georgia’s pulse spiked, memories she’d buried rushing back—the last time they’d been alone in her suite, the venom in his voice, the way he’d made her feel so small, so powerless.
Her chest tightened. She swallowed hard. And yet, even with the ghosts of her past clawing at her, her hand instinctively brushed the pearl necklace at her throat—the gift Nick had given her, before she turned to Nick’s table and saw him talking to the other businessmen at their table.
*********
Thank you for the Golden Tickets!
Chauveen_R
Kelly_Cornetto
Nanie_Garcia_5461