Chapter 10. Caught in the Flash

Faced with Chloe’s suspicious, almost accusing voice on the phone, Evelyn felt an alarm go off in her head. Without hesitation, she ended the call. At a moment like this, she couldn’t give Chloe the slightest chance to stir up trouble.

Lowering her phone, Evelyn’s breath was still uneven. Sebastian lounged half-reclined on the sofa, one arm draped lazily along the backrest, his gaze deep and unreadable. Evelyn’s hair was a little messy, her body still warm from their earlier closeness.

Slowly, she shifted away, straightening her posture and smoothing out her blouse. Sebastian rose to his feet as well, moving with that calm but dominating air that suggested nothing could rush him.

“Mr. Reed, I’ve been polite and respectful enough to you,” Evelyn said at last, breaking the suffocating silence. “So don’t push it.”

“Push it?” His eyes narrowed slightly, his stare sharp as a blade. “Funny, because I’m pretty sure you’re the one who came on to me first. Isn’t that right?”

“That night was a mistake,” Evelyn shot back instantly.

“I don’t see it that way.”

Evelyn clenched her jaw. “Look, Mr. Reed, I don’t know what kind of tastes you have, but from what I just saw, you’re clearly not short on women. So why me?”

She knew her position all too well. She was attractive, yes, but she was also married. There was no way Sebastian could be serious about her. This was just a game to him.

“When you’re divorced, I’ll tell you why.”

The words nearly made Evelyn choke with anger. He hadn’t listened to a damn thing she’d just said. She wanted to snap back, but she knew if she provoked Sebastian too far, the project she was working on could go up in smoke. And if that happened, the share of assets she’d walk away with after the divorce would be at risk too. She had to bite her tongue.

“I will get divorced,” she said evenly. “But I need time. You know as well as I do, marriage involves financial and social complications. I can’t just blow it all up overnight.”

Sebastian gave her a slight nod. Evelyn seized the opening. “About the proposal I revised—do you approve? If yes, we can sign the contract right now.”

Sebastian didn’t even glance at the document. He went straight to the last page and signed. Relief flooded her as she reached for the file, but he lifted it just out of reach. Evelyn looked up, locking eyes with the icy sharpness of his gaze.

“Remember, you’ve got five days. My patience has limits.”

A chill ran down her spine. “I’m good with numbers, Mr. Reed. I won’t forget. If there’s nothing else, I need to prep for the project meeting.”

“What you need to prep,” he said flatly, “is your divorce papers.”

Evelyn forced a weak cough. “Yeah, I’ll get everything ready. Won’t take long. Bye, Mr. Reed.”

She practically bolted from the room.

The elevator descended from the eighty-eighth floor, and as soon as the doors slid open, a barrage of camera flashes hit her like an ambush.

“Evelyn Sinclair, what’s your relationship with Sebastian Reed?”

“That woman in the photo—it's you, isn’t it?”

“How long have you been having an affair?”

“Does your husband know? Or is sleeping your way through negotiations just the Callahan family business?”

The questions came like filthy water dumped over her without warning. Stunned, Evelyn froze.

A phone was shoved in her face, showing a photo of her taken two nights ago at a bar. And in that instant, she understood. They weren’t really after her.

Their real target was Sebastian Reed.

As one of Boston’s most eligible bachelors, Sebastian was constantly surrounded by women and gossip. But he had never taken the bait, never been caught on camera in anything remotely compromising. His spotless reputation had made him something of a rare exception in his world.

“Isn’t that you and Sebastian Reed in this photo?” a reporter demanded, pressing Evelyn into a corner.

Before she could answer, a calm, icy voice cut through the chaos. “Yes, that’s me in the photo. But tell me—who gave you the guts to barge into Reed’s offices over a picture like that?”

The tall, commanding figure stepped forward, and the aggressive reporters immediately shrank back a few paces.

“That night, senior executives from our group were gathered at that bar,” Sebastian said smoothly, moving closer to Evelyn—close enough to shield her, but without crossing the line. “Do you need me to provide you with the guest list?”

The room went silent. The reporters exchanged nervous looks. One of the bolder ones tried again. “But why was Mrs. Sinclair there with you, Mr. Reed?”

Without so much as a twitch in his expression, Sebastian replied, “The Callahan family has been exploring a partnership with us. Mrs. Sinclair worked very hard to secure that meeting with me and my team.”

He flicked a glance at Evelyn, a subtle signal. She got it right away and pulled a folder from her bag. “You’ve misunderstood. I was there to present a business proposal to Mr. Reed. If you want proof, I can show you part of the data.”

Sebastian’s voice turned colder. “And after you’ve looked at that, you can also read the cease-and-desist letters from Reed Corp. This is the first time I’ve seen so many reporters storm into our offices uninvited. Truly… a rare opportunity.”

The reporters’ faces drained of color. Everyone knew the Reed legal team was unmatched. Nobody had ever beaten them in court. Not one dared push further.

When they finally dispersed, Evelyn exhaled shakily. “Thank you, Mr. Reed.”

“You’re welcome. I just don’t care to be called someone’s ‘married mistress,’” he replied dryly.

Her face froze, shame creeping into her chest.

“Come on. I’ll drive you home,” he added.

“No need,” Evelyn said quickly. “I still have work at the office.”

“Funny, because it looks like the Callahan family estate is swarmed by reporters today too.”

The remark made her falter. She knew he was right—when it came to Sebastian, the press in Boston would fight like vultures for the story. Even without answers, just photos of people involved would fuel headlines for days.

“Daniel,” Sebastian called.

“Car’s ready, sir,” his assistant answered.

Evelyn’s chance to refuse vanished completely. Reluctantly, she followed Sebastian out.

What neither of them noticed was the figure standing behind a tall plant near the elevators, eyes fixed on Sebastian with calculating intensity.

The car slipped out of Reed’s garage and onto the main road. The city’s chaos dulled behind tinted windows, the Boston skyline sliding by as silence wrapped around them inside the car.

The shrill buzz of Evelyn’s phone broke the quiet. She pulled it from her bag and saw the screen: Lucas.

“Where are you?” His voice was sharp.

“I…” Evelyn hesitated.

“Save it. Just come home. Now.” His tone was cold, brooking no argument.

Her brow furrowed. “Fine,” she said curtly. She knew he must have seen the news.

Good news rarely traveled fast. Bad news, though, always had wings.