Chapter 263

TIMOTHY POV

Timothy stormed through the tall oak doors of his father's office, his jaw clenched and his footsteps echoing off the marble floor. He didn't bother with customary greetings as he barged in, his gaze fixed firmly on the figure seated behind the imposing desk.

Kamran glanced up from his paperwork at the sound of the commotion. His son's arrival, charged with tension, didn't escape his notice. He raised an eyebrow in inquiry, silently beckoning Timothy to speak.

"So?" Timothy began, his tone clipped and direct, "Where is he? I doubt he left."

Before Kamran could respond, Andy, already waiting in the office and looking slightly disheveled, rose from his seat in the corner. His face was a little scratched up from their fight, but he still managed a sneer. As he approached, Timothy instinctively tensed, his guard rising.

"Hi, baby brother," Andy started tentatively, but Timothy's demeanor remained stern, his gaze fixed squarely on his father.

“Not talking to me?” Andy pressed, leaning in. “Figured you’d be less temperamental after a nice nap.”

“Go to hell,” Timothy spat.

Kamran interjected smoothly, "Boys, please, let's settle down and take your seats." He gestured towards the chairs positioned before his desk, a subtle command for both of them to lower their guard.

Timothy reluctantly obliged, taking a seat opposite his father, though his expression remained steely. Andy complied as well but hovered near the edge of his chair, a hint of unease evident in his posture.

Unwilling to let the tension dissipate, Timothy cut straight to the point. "I don't want an apology from him," he jerked his chin toward Andy, "and I surely won't be offering one either."

Andy's brows furrowed. “I messed with your pretty little car. So what?"

Timothy's jaw clenched even tighter. "So what? Are you seriously asking me that after you managed to track me down and slash my tires?”

Andy shrugged. “You said you didn’t want an apology, not like I had one. That was all I had to say.”

“You had my girlfriend standing with me out there in the cold. I’m going to need a better explanation for why you decided to do something so psychotic.”

Kamran, ever the composed figure in the room, held up a hand, attempting to redirect the conversation. "Please, now is not the time for petty disputes. I've been facing issues recently, and we need to address them."

Timothy shot a glance at his father, his impatience evident. "With all due respect, Dad, this isn't petty. He—" he jabbed a finger in Andy's direction, "could’ve seriously hurt somebody."

Andy bristled at the accusation. "It was a prank, Tim. It only got physical because you got defensive," he defended, though his voice wavered slightly.

Kamran sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Enough," he said firmly. "I won't have this office turn into a battleground. Timothy, Andy, the way you behave outside of this office reflects back on my company, so I expect you to at least act like professionals."

"Fine," Timothy grumbled, reluctantly acquiescing. "Let's talk about these 'issues' then."

The air in Kamran Fitzgerald's office grew dense with the weight of unspoken tension. Timothy's eyes narrowed as Kamran made a confession that rattled the foundation of their conversation.

"Mr. Fitzgerald has been on my case about Stella's potential arrest," Kamran divulged, his tone tinged with an air of urgency. "He wants you and Evie to clear her name since you were present at the time of the incidents."

Timothy scoffed incredulously. "Clear her name? Stella committed those crimes. Why should I be part of any effort to absolve her of her actions?"

Kamran sighed heavily. "Timothy, listen. Stella's lawyer is attempting to shift all blame onto Bruce. He's unable to speak for himself now that he's gone, so they need other voices."

Andy, who had been listening intently, interjected with a plea. "Tim, please. Stella's too vulnerable to go to prison. She needs someone to speak up for her."

The request grated on Timothy's nerves. "And what about Evie's well-being in all of this? Do you two even care about that?" Timothy's voice was laced with disgust, the raw emotion simmering just beneath the surface.

Andy's eyes pleaded for understanding. "We know, Tim. But right now, Stella—"

Timothy cut him off, his patience waning. "Enough! You're both cowards," he spat out, his words biting with disdain. "Mr. Fitzgerald will have to face the fact that his daughter is being held responsible for the first time in her life."

Kamran stood abruptly, raising his voice in desperation. "Timothy, you're not thinking deeply enough about this! This isn't just about Stella; it's about justice and doing what's right."

Timothy stood, his jaw clenched in resolve. “I’ll show you justice. Stella made her choices, and now she has to face the consequences. I won't be a part of this."

As Timothy turned to leave, Kamran's voice echoed through the room, tinged with frustration and concern. "Think about what you're doing, Timothy. You know she wouldn’t survive in there, if they managed to incriminate her, that is.”

Timothy paused at the threshold, his back turned to his father and Andy. His voice, firm and resolute, filled the room. "There's nothing innocent about Stella, especially after what she did to the woman I love. Mr. Fitzgerald will have to handle the fact that he may not be able to buy his way out of everything."

Before he could take another step, Andy rose from his seat with an urgency that caught Timothy off guard.

"Timothy, please," Andy's voice wavered as he implored, his tone laced with desperation. "You have to... You wouldn't want to lose Evie, even if she committed a crime. I can't lose Stella."

Timothy's eyebrows furrowed in a mixture of confusion and discomfort. The comparison between Stella and Evie almost sickened him, coupled with Andy's desperate appeal.

"Andy, this isn't about losing someone. It's about integrity and accountability," Timothy replied firmly. "Evie is not involved in this. She's a good person."

Andy's desperation seemed to heighten as he continued to plead his case. "But Stella is a good person too. Sure, she’s acted out of desperation, but that’s all the hormones and stress getting to her."

"I know you’re concerned for Stella, Andy, but I have don’t have the same care for her that you do," Timothy explained.

Andy gritted his teeth. "I just can't lose her," he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. “And that’s my kid in her.”

Timothy hesitated, a surge of compassion tugging at his resolve. He recognized Andy's struggle, his fear of losing someone integral to the company's fabric. However, he’s already made his decision.

"I can’t speak for her," Timothy asserted, his voice carrying a hint of finality. “And neither will Evie. You’re on your own.”

The tension in the room thickened right then. Andy’s hands balled into fists, but instead of lashing out, he backed away.

"I have to go," Timothy said finally, turning away.

With that final declaration, Timothy strode out of the office. As Timothy stepped out into the hallway, his mind churned with conflicting emotions. The image of Evie, her unwavering integrity, and moral compass contrasted sharply with the vile nature of Stella.

There was no comparison between the two, no matter how dishonest Andy wanted to be.

With each step, Timothy's thoughts veered between the burden of Mr. Fitzgerald’s request and the plea for compassion. The image of Evie, cowering and afraid within Bruce and Stella’s clutches, removed any compassion he could’ve felt for Stella. Where was her compassion when she helped kidnap Evie?

As he navigated the bustling streets, he tried not to let the anger sink too deeply. To insinuate that Evie of all people owed them anything really made his blood boil. He didn’t know what to tell her when he got back, or if he should tell her.

Evie was unpredictable that way. It was an aspect he loved most days, but with Mr. Fitzgerald looming over her, he found it more frightening. How well could he protect her then?