[EVE]
"You're too soft, Eve."
"Huh?" I paused mid-bite. What was happening? One moment we were navigating the dangerous waters of "us," and the next, he had effortlessly steered the conversation into an entirely different territory.
Not that I minded, of course. Any topic—anything at all—was a welcome escape from the suffocating weight of the previous discussion.
"If you'd let me handle it, I would've taken care of that fraudster and the trickster by now."
"Oh. That . . ."
The "fraudster," of course, was Astrid. The "trickster" was Sophie.
"It's my problem to deal with," I said, meeting his gaze. "And besides, your methods are extreme (by extreme, I meant death). It's better if Astrid lives to face what she's done, suffering every single day because of her choices."
Cole's lips twisted into a wicked grin, the kind that sent a shiver down my spine. "I like how you think," he murmured, a dark glint in his eyes.
I blinked at him, unimpressed, refusing to let his theatrics ruffle me.
"If you need help with that maid, just say the word," he offered, his tone casual but his intent anything but.
"Thanks for the offer," I replied coolly, "but I can handle it."
Cole studied me for a moment, his smile lingering as if amused by my determination. He didn't push further, though. For now, at least, he respected my boundaries.
As I gathered my things and prepared to leave, I couldn't help but feel the pressure of his gaze following me. Cole always played his cards close to his chest, but I knew better than to think he wouldn't act if he felt the need.
For better or worse, his offer of help wasn't entirely off the table. I couldn't shake the lingering feeling that someone had been backing Astrid all along. Whoever it was, I would find out eventually.
That was precisely why I didn't want to press legal action. If I did, the real mastermind—the one truly responsible for the theft—would likely remain untouched, slipping through the cracks unscathed why the blame would shift to some lowly disposable staff.
I had another plan in mind.
=== 🤍 ===
[EVE]
After months away, I found myself once again approaching the grand Sullivan mansion. The towering gates loomed in the distance.
My thoughts churned with unease, but before I could fully prepare myself, my phone buzzed on the seat beside me.
Riri's name flashed on the screen. I hesitated, uncertain if I had the patience for one of her mixers or frivolous updates.
Still, something about the timing felt urgent, so I pressed the answer button and switched to speaker mode.
"Eve, it's bad," she blurted out, her voice tight with worry.
"Don't tell me it's another mixer again," I replied, already bracing myself. "Once was enough, Riri."
"No, not that! It's Daniel!"
Her words sent a jolt through me, my earlier irritation replaced by sudden concern. "Why? What happened to him? Is he okay?"
"You haven't heard?" She sounded incredulous. "Oh, right—you're hardly online. It just came up in our GC a few minutes ago. Eve, Daniel's a mistress's son! No one knows who his father is, and now everyone's calling him a bastard!"
The news was unexpected, but I exhaled a small breath of relief that it wasn't something worse. "Oh?" I said, more surprised by the gossip than by the revelation itself.
"Oh? Is that all you're going to say?" Riri asked in incredulity.
"I'm not sure what you want me to say. Daniel is Daniel. His past doesn't change who he is. He's a good guy, and I don't care about his origins. Besides, I'm hardly one to judge. I don't even know who my real parents are."
Riri paused, seemingly taken aback. "Well, yeah, you do have a point. I still like Daniel, even if he's a mistress's son, but . . ." Her voice softened. "Our classmates are tearing him apart. It's brutal."
A wave of worry surged through me. I knew exactly how cruel people could be when someone's vulnerabilities were exposed. Daniel had always been the golden boy, untouchable in his aloofness and abilities, but envy had a way of festering in the shadows.
Now, with this revelation, those who had long resented him would jump at the chance to tear him down.
"Is he okay?" I asked, my voice low.
"I don't know," Riri admitted. "I hope so, but . . . you know how people are."
The car slowed as the imposing Sullivan mansion came into full view. I sighed, torn between the weight of my concerns for Daniel and the battle waiting for me behind those gates. "I'll check on him later," I told her. "Right now, I have something I need to handle."
"Okay. Talk to you later, Eve."
Before stepping out of the car, I quickly typed out a message to Daniel: I've got your back. Nothing has changed between us. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me.
It wasn't much, but I hoped the simple assurance would remind him he wasn't alone.
As I pocketed my phone, my gaze drifted to the mansion's grand doors. They seemed more foreboding than ever. I squared my shoulders, inhaling deeply.
Daniel wait—right now, I had my own war to face.
The guard ushered me through the heavy Sullivan mansion doors, his expression impassive as he gestured for me to proceed.
My heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, echoing through the grand hallway. I wasted no time and headed straight to the living room, where Sophie sat in her wheelchair, looking every bit the fragile victim she wanted the world to believe she was.
Her face lit up with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Eve, to what do I owe this surprise visit?" she asked, her tone saccharine and dripping with false innocence.
I didn't bother with pleasantries. Time for games had long passed. "Enough with the charade, Sophie," I said sharply, stepping closer. "I'm here to clear my name about your staircase accident. You and I both know it wasn't me who pushed you. It's time for you to come clean before everything turns . . . ugly."