LOGINLucas leaned forward. "There's one more thing."Aiden looked at him."I traced the number that sent you the photographs.""And?""Nothing."Aiden's expression fell. "Nothing?""Burner phone. Purchased with cash. No registered owner. It was activated once and abandoned.""Convenient.""Very." Lucas slid another page across the desk."But there was one thing I couldn't explain."Aiden read it. The burner phone had been activated within walking distance of a private parking facility. Aiden looked up. "What's there?""Mostly offices. A few private residences.""Anything connected to Marcus?""Not directly."Aiden's fingers tightened around the paper. "Then find the connection."Lucas stood. "I will.”He reached the door, then stopped. "Aiden."Aiden looked up.Lucas's expression was unusually serious."If someone went this far to make you believe Evie betrayed you..."Aiden waited. "...they probably knew exactly how much she means to you." “But wait, how did you know that she is the girl
Across town, Isabella sat in her living room wearing an evil grin on her face, with a cup of tea beside her. Her plan had gone better than expected. Aiden and Evie were barely speaking. She was so elated.Grace had become frightened enough to stop asking questions.And the photographs remained convincing.She smiled.Then her phone rang.“He's asking questions,” Grace whispered. Isabella's smile disappeared. “Who?”“Aiden.”Isabella leaned back. “What questions?”“About the drink.”Then Isabella smiled again. “You're nervous.”“He suspects something. He suspects everyone.”“He asked what I gave Evie.”“Then give him an answer.”Grace swallowed. “What if he finds out?”Isabella's voice became cold. “He won't.”“You can't know that.”“I know Aiden.”She looked toward the window.“He's emotional right now. Hurt people make mistakes.”Grace closed her eyes. “And if he doesn't?”Isabella's expression hardened.“Then we'll give him something else to believe.”The call ended.Grace stared a
The house had never felt so large before, but coming downstairs, Evie felt like her house was gigantic because of the emptiness she felt inside.There were people everywhere—maids moving quietly through the halls, the distant sound of Richard speaking on the phone, Vivian giving instructions about the upcoming charity gala—but somehow, everything felt unbearably empty.Especially without Aiden.She spotted him at the far end of the hallway, engaged in a serious conversation with a staff member. Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment, and in that instant, the world seemed to pause around them. Silence filled the space as they locked gazes, each yearning to step closer. But suddenly, Evie broke the connection first.She continued toward the dining room.Aiden watched her disappear. He wanted nothing more than to run after her, hold her and tell her how miserable he had been without her, but seeing how he had acted like a jerk, he didn't know how to go about it.A few days ago, she woul
Grace sat alone in the servants' quarters, staring at her phone. Her hands were shaking.She had heard enough. The plan had worked.Isabella had sent the photographs to Aiden.And now Evie was paying for something she hadn't even done.Grace's stomach twisted.She had known Isabella wanted to create doubt.But seeing the consequences was different.She remembered Evie's kindness. The way she had spoken to her when she first came to work as a maid, she was polite and jovial.The way she had once told Grace to take care of herself when she looked exhausted.Grace covered her face with both hands. “What have I done?”Her phone vibrated. She flinched.Isabella.A message appeared. Isabella: Don't get emotional now. You knew exactly what you agreed to.Grace stared at the screen.Another message arrived.Isabella: Stay quiet.Grace's eyes filled with tears.She typed: I didn't know you'd actually do this.She stared at the words. Then deleted them.A second message appeared.Isabella: Reme
Aiden remained standing beside his desk long after Evie had left his room with tears, she was still not over how Aiden didn't trust her.The photographs were still open on his phone.He looked at them again.Every time, the same image stared back at him.Evie lying beside another man, naķed, the man kissing her cheeks.The picture should have been enough. It should have settled everything. But somehow, it didn't.Aiden zoomed in on the first photograph.Then the second. Something about the room bothered him. He couldn't explain it. The furniture seemed unfamiliar.Even the curtains didn't look like the ones in Evie's bedroom.Isabella had actually changed rooms and put Evie in another room but made it look like it was Evie's room.He frowned. Why had he noticed none of that before?Because he had been angry. Because he had been hurt. Because the moment he saw Evie's face beside another man, everything else had stopped mattering.He locked his phone. Then unlocked it again.The image
“No, ma. I can't do it. Do you know how much this family has helped me? And yet you want me to carry out your evil plan?” Grace's voice trembled as she stood before Isabella.Isabella remained seated, one leg crossed over the other. She didn't look angry. That was what frightened Grace most. She looked calm.Almost bored. “Oh, so you know what they have done for you, but all this while you have been collecting my money.”Grace lowered her eyes. “I didn't know it would become this.”“You knew enough.”“I didn't know you wanted to hurt Evie.”Isabella's expression hardened. “You will do it unless you want your mother gone.”Grace's head snapped up. “Don't bring my mother into this.”“I can bring whoever I want into it.”Isabella leaned forward. “You've been accepting my money for weeks. You have been giving me information about this family. Do you really think you can suddenly grow a conscience and walk away?”Grace's eyes filled with tears. “I'll give the money back.”Isabella laughed







