The Night That Changed Everything

Chapter 7

The rooftop terrace slowly emptied as the investors began leaving.

The city lights of Singapore stretched endlessly below us, glittering against the dark water of the harbor.

It should have been a peaceful moment.

But my mind was still stuck on the dinner.

“You didn’t have to lie,” I said quietly.

Sebastian stood beside the railing, his hands resting casually in his pockets.

“I didn’t lie.”

“You exaggerated.”

“That’s different.”

I exhaled slowly.

“You made it sound like I rebuilt an entire marketing strategy.”

“You contributed enough.”

“That’s not the point.”

Sebastian finally turned to look at me.

His expression was calm, but thoughtful.

“You were uncomfortable.”

“Of course I was uncomfortable,” I replied.

“That man recognized me from the worst moment of my life.”

For a moment, something softened in his gaze.

Then he looked away again.

“You handled it well.”

The compliment surprised me.

Before I could respond, Sebastian checked his watch.

“We should go.”

“To the hotel?”

“Yes.”

We took the elevator down to the lobby and stepped outside into the warm night air.

Singapore was quieter at this hour, though the streets were still alive with movement.

Sebastian signaled for a car.

“I’ll have the driver take us back,” he said.

But just as the car pulled up, my phone vibrated in my bag.

I checked the screen.

Unknown number.

Normally I would ignore it.

But something made me answer.

“Hello?”

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then a voice spoke.

Low.

Unfamiliar.

“You shouldn’t be with the Montefalco family.”

My heart skipped.

“Who is this?”

“You should have stayed away.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“What are you talking about?”

The line went dead.

“Avah?”

I looked up.

Sebastian was watching me carefully.

“What happened?”

“I… I don’t know,” I said slowly.

“Someone called me.”

“And?”

“They said I shouldn’t be with the Montefalco family.”

Sebastian’s expression immediately darkened.

“Did you recognize the voice?”

“No.”

He held out his hand.

“Give me your phone.”

I handed it to him.

He checked the number quickly.

“Blocked ID.”

“That’s comforting.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened slightly.

“Get in the car.”

His tone had changed.

More serious now.

More alert.

We climbed into the back seat.

For the first few minutes, neither of us spoke.

The car moved smoothly through the quiet streets.

But the uneasy feeling in my chest wouldn’t go away.

“Sebastian?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think it’s related to Donn?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Then he said something that made my stomach drop.

“It’s possible.”

The car suddenly slowed.

I frowned.

“Why are we stopping?”

The driver looked confused.

“There’s someone blocking the road.”

My chest tightened.

Outside the windshield, a dark car was parked sideways across the street.

Two men stepped out.

Neither of them looked friendly.

Sebastian’s voice dropped.

“Stay in the car.”

“What?”

But before I could stop him, he had already opened the door and stepped outside.

My heart started racing.

Through the window, I watched the two men approach him.

They were talking.

I couldn’t hear the words.

But their body language was tense.

Aggressive.

One of the men suddenly grabbed Sebastian’s arm.

Everything happened fast after that.

Sebastian moved instantly.

He twisted the man’s wrist and shoved him backward with surprising force.

The second man lunged forward.

My heart jumped into my throat.

“Sebastian!”

But he was already reacting.

His movements were quick and controlled, like someone who knew exactly what he was doing.

Within seconds, both men were backing away.

One of them cursed under his breath.

Then they rushed back into their car and drove away.

The street went silent again.

Sebastian stood there for a moment before turning back toward the car.

My heart was still pounding when he opened the door.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“I should be asking you that.”

“I’m fine.”

He looked at me carefully.

“You’re shaking.”

“I just watched two strangers attack my boss.”

“That’s understandable.”

The driver started the car again.

As we continued toward the hotel, I stared at Sebastian.

“You fight well.”

“I’ve had practice.”

“With random men in the street?”

“With dangerous situations.”

My stomach twisted again.

“Sebastian… what is going on?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he looked out the window.

Then he said something that made my heart sink.

“I think my brother’s disappearance might be more complicated than we thought.”

“Because of those men?”

“Yes.”

I felt a chill spread through my chest.

“And now they know you’re with me.”

The realization made my heart beat faster.

“You think they’re watching us?”

“I think,” Sebastian said quietly, “that someone doesn’t want us asking questions.”

The car finally stopped in front of the hotel.

But the uneasy feeling inside me only grew stronger.

Because one thing was suddenly very clear.

This wasn’t just about a wedding anymore.

Something bigger was happening.

And somehow…

I was already part of it.