Chapter 3

The hum of the elevator barely registered in my mind as I checked my watch for the fifth time. I had canceled my meeting that afternoon to pick a special gift for my grandfather’s birthday. It wasn’t something I normally did work always came first but today was different. My grandfather, the man who raised me single-handedly after the loss of my parents, was turning seventy. I owed him everything.

Stepping into the luxury boutique, my sharp eyes scanned the shelves lined with antique watches and pens. My attention, however, was drawn to a voice light but tinged with frustration.

"Just another rich person who can’t appreciate anything.”

The words weren’t loud, but I caught every syllable. Turning subtly, my curiosity was piqued. She was young, probably mid-twenties, with a determined glint in her eyes as she talked with the store clerk. A single strand of hair fell loose from her bun, softening her otherwise tense expression.

Amused, I lingered nearby, pretending to examine a shelf of cufflinks. Her complaints weren’t annoying; in fact, they made me chuckle quietly to myself. She’s... interesting.

Eventually, she left the store, her shoulders squared despite leaving empty-handed. I made my choice of a limited-edition pocket watch and left shortly after. I couldn’t quite shake her from my mind.

“Sean!” My grandfather’s warm voice greeted me as soon as I entered the grand hall of the mansion. He stood at the top of the staircase, his smile lighting up his usually stern face.

“Grandpa,” I said, walking up to him with the gift in hand. “Happy birthday.”

We embraced a rare gesture between us. “You didn’t have to, you know,” he said, taking the small velvet box.

“Of course I did. You raised me, remember?” I smiled. “Open it.”

His hands were steady as he unwrapped the watch. His eyes softened as he traced the intricate design. “You always know how to choose the perfect gift,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Before I could respond, loud knocks echoed from the entrance. I frowned, my body tensing instinctively. The butler opened the door, revealing two police officers.

“Mr. Rosemond?” one of them asked.

My grandfather straightened, his expression unreadable. “That’s me.”

“We’re here to inform you that you’re under investigation for a murder case from twenty-five years ago. You’ll need to come with us for questioning.”

The words slammed into me like a freight train. “What?!” I stepped forward, my tone sharp. “What is this about? My grandfather hasn’t done anything wrong.”

The officers remained impassive. “We’re just following protocol. If he’s innocent, the investigation will clear him.”

“Sean, it’s okay,” my grandfather said calmly, raising a hand. “I’ll go with them and sort this out.”

“No,” I snapped. “This is absurd. You don’t need to go anywhere.”

“Let me handle this, son.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

I could only watch, powerless, as they escorted him out of the mansion. As soon as the door closed, I pulled out my phone.

“Ethan,” I barked as soon as my best friend answered. “I need your help. My grandfather’s been taken by the police.”

“Wait, what?” Ethan’s voice was full of surprise. “For what?”

“They’re accusing him of being involved in a murder years ago. I need you to find out what’s going on.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll look into it right away. I’ll call you back as soon as I have something.”

I let out a shaky breath, some of the tension leaving my body. “Thanks, Ethan. I owe you.”

“That’s what friends are for,” he replied.

The next few days were a pool of frustration and irritation. I barely slept, pouring over every detail of the case. My secretary had been tasked with digging into the police files, but information was scarce.

It wasn’t until three days later that my secretary knocked on my office door, a folder in hand.

“Sir, I found something that might interest you,” he said, placing the folder on my desk.

“What is it?” I asked, opening the file.

“The daughter of the deceased in the murder case applied for the assistant position here. Her name is Evelyn Carter.”

I froze as my eyes landed on the photograph stapled to the resume. It was her the girl from the boutique.

My mind raced. Coincidence? Fate? I didn’t believe in either, but this was too strange to ignore.

“She’s scheduled for an interview tomorrow,” my secretary added.

“I’ll be there,” I said, closing the folder.

My secretary blinked in surprise. “You want to join the interview? But sir, you’ve never...”

“I said I’ll be there.”

The next day, I entered the conference room, silencing the chatter of the interview panel with my presence.

“Mr. Sean?” one of the senior managers asked, clearly startled. “You’re here for...”

“I’m here to observe,” I interrupted, my tone leaving no room for questions.

Evelyn Carter walked in a moment later, her steps confident but her eyes slightly wary.

I leaned back in my chair, watching her intently. Her answers were sharp and professional, each word measured. She carried herself with quiet confidence, a stark contrast to the frustrated girl I’d seen at the boutique.

I found myself impressed, not just by her qualifications but by her composure.

As the interview wrapped up, the panel began discussing her application, but I had already made up my mind. I stepped out of the room and dialed Ethan.

“She’s good,” I said when he picked up. “Professional, confident. But there’s something about her.”

“You mean she might know something?” Ethan asked.

“Maybe. Hiring her could be useful, and it would give me a chance to get to know her better.”

Ethan chuckled. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you say something like that.”

“She’s different,” I admitted, though I wasn’t sure why I said it.

“Well, follow your gut. Just don’t get too distracted,” Ethan said.

I hung up, my thoughts spinning. Evelyn Carter wasn’t just a potential key to clearing my grandfather’s name; she was a mystery I couldn’t ignore.

As I walked back to my office, I found myself wondering: Was hiring her the right move? Or was I inviting more trouble into my life?