Chapter 13: Evelyn’s Warning

Evelyn Hart confronts Patrick at the company headquarters, warning him not to distract Amelia during a critical time. Patrick bristles at Evelyn's coldness and vows to prove he's not the obstacle Evelyn sees him as.

Patrick Walsh stepped into the lobby of Walsh Tech's sprawling Silicon Valley headquarters, feeling once again like an outsider in his daughter's high-tech world. The polished floors reflected the stark white walls, broken only by large, abstract art pieces and a row of screens displaying real-time data. Employees in sleek business attire moved with purpose, their conversations hushed but intense. Patrick couldn't help but notice how different this was from the grease-stained garages and creaky community halls of Rustwood.

He adjusted his jacket and approached the reception desk, where a young woman with a professional but distant smile greeted him. "Good morning, Mr. Walsh. Ms. Walsh is currently in a meeting, but you're welcome to wait in her office."

"Thanks," Patrick replied gruffly. He didn't care much for sitting idle in fancy offices, but he nodded and followed the assistant down a sleek corridor. The contrast between his weathered boots and the gleaming floor wasn't lost on him. As he passed glass-walled conference rooms, he caught glimpses of executives gesturing over holographic displays and employees furiously typing on ultra-thin laptops.

When they reached Amelia's office, the assistant opened the door and gestured for him to enter. "She shouldn't be much longer."

Patrick gave her a curt nod and stepped inside. The space was immaculate and impersonal, more a symbol of power than a place of comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the Silicon Valley skyline, and a minimalist desk held little more than a high-end computer and a single photo frame of Amelia and Patrick during one of her childhood birthdays. He walked over to the frame, running a finger along its edge. The image felt like a relic in the otherwise futuristic room.

The sound of heels clicking on the floor interrupted his thoughts. Turning, Patrick found himself face-to-face with Evelyn Hart, Amelia's COO. She exuded a polished confidence that bordered on intimidation, her tailored suit sharp and her dark eyes piercing.

"Mr. Walsh," Evelyn greeted, her tone crisp. "I didn't realize you were visiting today."

Patrick crossed his arms, meeting her gaze evenly. "Just here to see Amelia. Didn't realize I needed an appointment."

Evelyn's smile was thin. "Of course not. But given the current circumstances, I hope you understand how crucial it is for Amelia to stay focused."

Patrick raised an eyebrow. "And you think I'm getting in the way of that?"

Evelyn didn't flinch. "Amelia values your presence, I'm sure. But this is a critical time for the company. The Rustwood project is ambitious, and with Victor Chang stirring up trouble, distractions could be costly."

Patrick's jaw tightened. "Distractions, huh? I've been helping her keep Rustwood on track, not the other way around."

Evelyn took a measured step closer, her voice lowering. "I'm sure your intentions are good. But let's be realistic, Silicon Valley isn't Rustwood. The stakes here are higher, and the margin for error is razor-thin. Amelia doesn't need sentimentality right now. She needs strategy."

Patrick held her gaze, his voice steady but firm. "You think I don't know what's at stake? She's my daughter, and I've seen what this kind of pressure can do to people. Maybe what she needs isn't more suits telling her to work harder. Maybe she needs someone who actually cares about her."

Evelyn's expression hardened, the thin veneer of professionalism cracking just slightly. "And maybe she needs people who understand this world. People who won't let their emotions cloud their judgment."

Patrick took a step forward, his presence commanding despite Evelyn's imposing demeanor. "If you think I'm here to coddle her, you've got it wrong. But I'm not about to stand by and watch her get buried under the weight of all this without saying something."

The tension in the room was palpable, the air charged with unspoken challenges. Finally, Evelyn straightened her posture, her smile returning but lacking warmth. "For Amelia's sake, I hope you're right."

Before Patrick could respond, the door opened, and Amelia entered. She paused, her eyes flicking between her father and Evelyn, instantly sensing the tension.

"Is everything okay?" Amelia asked, her tone cautious.

Evelyn turned to her with a practiced smile. "Of course. I was just catching up with your father."

Amelia's gaze lingered on Evelyn, suspicion flickering across her face, but she didn't press. Instead, she turned to Patrick. "Dad, why don't we grab some lunch? There's a place nearby I think you'll like."

Patrick nodded, his eyes never leaving Evelyn. "Sounds good."

As they left the office, Patrick couldn't shake the feeling that Evelyn's warning wasn't just about him. It was about the growing cracks in Amelia's carefully constructed world cracks he was determined to help her mend, whether Evelyn liked it or not.