Chapter 7: The Calm Before the Storm

Nathan and Maya were living in constant fear. For days, they'd been jumping at every phone call, and every knock at the door. Evelyn had their photos and videos, and they had no idea when or how she'd use them.

Their first plan was to get the hotel security footage from the room where Nathan had arranged for Evelyn to be taken. They wanted to release compromising footage of her first, to destroy her credibility. But when Nathan contacted his associates, he got shocking news.

"She never showed up to the room," one of them told him over the phone.

Nathan was furious. He tracked down the hotel server who had taken Evelyn away and cornered him in an empty parking garage.

"Where the hell did you take her?" Nathan demanded, grabbing the man by his shirt.

The server, terrified, stammered, "I took her to the room number you texted me!"

"That's impossible! She never made it there!" Nathan shouted.

The server tried to pull out his phone to show the room number, but Nathan was too angry to listen. He was convinced the man had been bought off by Evelyn or had messed up somehow. Nathan's security team beat the server badly before dumping him in an alley.

Nathan didn't stop there. Using his family's money and connections, he put out word that Evelyn was unstable and dangerous, thus declaring her wanted. He paid off journalists and threatened news outlets, warning them that if they wanted to stay on the Sinclair family's good side, they'd better not publish anything Evelyn might bring them.

Days passed, and they still couldn't find her.

Meanwhile, Evelyn wasn't just hiding. She was planning. During those days at Lena's apartment, she studied everything she could about the Sinclair family. She researched Alexander Sinclair's birthday celebration, looked up photos from previous years, and figured out the best way to get her evidence seen by everyone who mattered. She even practiced different hairstyles and makeup looks until she found one that made her look completely different. Lena helped her buy new clothes and plan her approach to the technical booth. Every detail was thought through.

Then came the day they'd been dreading: Alexander Sinclair's 80th birthday celebration.

The Grand Meridian Hotel's ballroom was packed with the most powerful people in the country. Politicians, business leaders, international guests—everyone who mattered was there to honor the Sinclair patriarch.

For Nathan and Maya, it felt like walking into a trap. Their smiles were fake as they moved through the crowd. Every time someone new entered the ballroom, their hearts jumped. They were sure Evelyn would appear with her evidence, ready to destroy them in front of everyone.

Nathan had stationed security at every entrance, every exit, every corridor. Their orders were simple: if you see Evelyn Hayes, detain her immediately.

Maya, equally panicked, had convinced her stepfather Richard to help. She told him Evelyn was planning to create a scene and embarrass both families at the celebration. Richard, thinking of his business reputation, added his own security to the hunt.

As the elegant party continued around them, Nathan and Maya smiled and made small talk, but inside they were waiting for disaster.

And then it happened. Evelyn was there.

She'd arrived early, looking completely different. She'd cut her long hair into a sleek bob and changed her makeup style. The transformation was so complete that Nathan and Maya didn't recognize her in the crowd.

Evelyn had come alone. She'd told Lena to stay away—two people would be easier to spot than one. Lena had argued, but finally agreed, making Evelyn promise to be careful.

Moving quietly through the party, Evelyn made her way toward the technical booth where the audio-visual team controlled the large screens used for the birthday tribute presentations.

But Nathan had thought of this too. His men were positioned near the control room, just in case.

When Evelyn approached the technicians and tried to speak with them, Nathan's security immediately recognized her despite her disguise. They grabbed her arms firmly.

One of them called Nathan immediately. "Sir, we have her. She's at the AV booth."

Nathan's eyes went wide with shock and relief. Maya, standing nearby, smiled with vicious satisfaction.

But they had a problem. Right now, all the family members were gathered around Alexander Sinclair for the gift presentation ceremony. And as a grandson of the family, he couldn't just disappear without raising suspicion.

Making things worse, Nathan's uncle Roman was standing with Alexander, and for some reason had been watching Nathan intently all evening. Under that cold, calculating stare, Nathan was sweating. He had to stay put and act normal.

Frustrated but trapped, Nathan spoke quietly into his phone. "Take her to one of the empty conference rooms upstairs. Lock her in. Don't hurt her, but make sure she can't escape. I'll deal with this after the ceremony."

His men nodded, efficiently escorting a struggling Evelyn toward the service elevators.

Nathan forced a smile and turned his attention back to his grandfather, but his mind was racing. He had Evelyn contained, but he was also trapped by his own family obligations.

The gift presentation continued. Nathan's father Robert gave an expensive painting. Nathan himself presented a rare vintage watch. Other family members followed with their offerings.

But when it came time for the youngest Sinclair son to present his gift, the entire room fell silent with anticipation.

Roman stepped forward carrying an exquisite jade sculpture—a traditional guardian lion carved from flawless green stone, meant to protect health and ward off evil.

Alexander's face lit up with genuine joy. "Look at this masterpiece!" he announced to his guests. "My youngest son knows exactly what his old father needs!"

He looked pointedly at Robert, Nathan's father and his rest children. "This is what I call a thoughtful gift. Not just something expensive."

The family members exchanged looks. Everyone knew that even if Roman had given Alexander a simple rock, the old man would have been equally pleased. The favoritism was obvious and had been for decades.

Alexander began introducing Roman to important international business partners. "When my son visits your countries, you must take good care of him!"

In the middle of these introductions, Roman's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then excused himself politely. "Please forgive me, I need to take this call."

He stepped away from the main celebration and headed toward the exit.

Nathan finally felt like he could breathe again. The intense pressure of his uncle's watchful gaze was gone. But his relief was short-lived as he remembered Evelyn was locked up somewhere upstairs, and he still had to figure out what to do with her.

The night was far from over, and Nathan had no idea that his biggest problem wasn't the woman locked upstairs—it was the uncle who had just stepped out to take a very important phone call.