Chapter 309

The moment the 100 million dollar transfer from Richard cleared, Evelyn Carter made a beeline for the luxury boutiques. She had her eyes set on a rare designer clutch—this year's most coveted Christmas gift for Claire Dawson.

Claire had first heard about Evelyn's abduction through breaking news alerts on her phone. The call that followed was explosive. "How could you keep this from me?" Claire's voice cracked through the speaker, equal parts fury and fear.

Evelyn hadn't meant to withhold the truth. The trauma had left her numb. Between Alexander's hospitalization and the police interrogations, two days had slipped by before she realized she'd never called her best friend.

When Claire unwrapped the six-figure limited-edition bag—the same one fashion editors were calling "this season's holy grail"—her manicured fingers froze mid-air. "Wait. This isn't a joke?"

As a Vogue contributor, Claire recognized the diamond-stitched leather instantly. The waiting list for this piece exceeded twelve months. Even celebrity stylists couldn't secure it through backchannels.

"You do realize Alexander's fortune has limits," Claire hissed, stroking the python-skin trim. "Gifting this to your college roommate? His accountants will have aneurysms."

Evelyn smirked, adjusting the Cartier bracelet Richard's money had also bought. "Relax. This came from my father's guilt fund." The unspoken "100 million" hung between them like tinsel.

Outside the café window, a figure in a black hoodie snapped photos of their table. The telephoto lens glinted—once, twice—before vanishing into the holiday crowds. Neither woman noticed.

Three blocks away, in a parked sedan, Dominic Reeves reviewed the shots. The timestamp proved it: Evelyn Carter was spending dirty money. Exactly what his employer needed to see.

He forwarded the images with a caption: Phase One complete. Proceeding to surveillance point Beta.

The reply came instantly: Remember—she can't know she's being watched.

Claire gasped at her words. "Goodness! The Hayes family actually gave you that much? Then I absolutely can't accept this designer bag. After everything they put you through, I won't touch their dirty money."

Claire wasn't one to profit from her best friend's past suffering.

"Keep it. It's Richard's money anyway," Evelyn said with a careless wave of her hand. "I have zero guilt spending every penny."

Claire stopped protesting, and the two women continued their shopping spree through the upscale boutiques.

As they said their goodbyes in the dimly lit parking garage, Claire suddenly dropped her bombshell. "After the holidays... I might be leaving the country for a while."

Evelyn's eyes immediately dropped to Claire's midsection. "You're nearly four months along now, aren't you?"

Claire nodded silently. She'd already put all modeling contracts on hold as her pregnancy became more visible. Though her slender frame hid the small bump well, even the slightest change showed under professional lighting.

The winter layers provided temporary camouflage, but come spring when coats came off? There'd be no hiding the truth anymore.

The realization hit Evelyn instantly. She understood exactly why Claire needed to disappear overseas.

Claire didn’t want to give birth under Lucas’s watchful gaze, and her parents were settled overseas.

Just as she voiced her thoughts, Julian appeared behind her, clutching a bouquet of roses. Hearing her mention leaving the country, his expression darkened. "Claire, when exactly are you planning to go?"

At Julian’s sudden interruption, Evelyn and Claire spun around.

Julian closed the distance in two strides, seizing Claire’s wrist and pulling her against his chest. "Don’t leave. I’ll be here for you when the baby comes. I’ll take care of everything—both of you."

A short distance away, Lucas sat in his car, the scene unfolding before him like a slow-motion reel. He lit a cigarette, clamping it between his teeth.

From his vantage point, Julian had come to whisk Claire away, and they’d surrendered to their emotions, embracing right there in the dimly lit parking garage.

For the past two months, Julian had been practically living at Claire’s apartment. Their relationship had clearly escalated, and by the looks of it, whatever was inevitable had already happened.

Lucas hadn’t anticipated Claire’s ruthlessness. He’d assumed she was merely keeping Julian around to provoke him. But now, it was clear—she was serious.

Watching Claire melt into Julian’s arms, Lucas didn’t move this time. The past two months had been a whirlwind—impulsive decisions, fleeting calm, reckless outbursts, and obsessive thoughts. Now, his chest was just... hollow.

The moment stretched endlessly as Claire and Julian remained entwined in their passionate embrace.

Lucas hit the accelerator hard, his tires screeching as he tore away from the scene.

His sudden departure revealed another vehicle lurking behind - Ethan's sleek black sedan.

Evelyn decided to give the couple their privacy and turned her car toward home.

But as she entered the narrow alleyway, headlights flashed blindingly in her rearview mirror.

A car swerved aggressively, cutting her off with inches to spare.

Evelyn slammed the brakes, her heart pounding against her ribs.

She rolled down her window, fury coloring her words. "Are you out of your mind? Trying to kill us both?"

One second of distraction would have sent them crashing.

Before she could react further, the driver's door of the other car swung open.

Ethan Caldwell slid into her passenger seat with practiced ease.

His voice was deceptively calm when he spoke. "We need to talk, Evelyn."

The scent of his expensive cologne filled the confined space, making her grip the steering wheel tighter.

Streetlights flickered across his sharp features as he turned to face her fully.

That predatory gleam in his eyes hadn't changed in all these years.

Evelyn's pulse quickened, though she couldn't tell if it was from anger or something more dangerous.

The alley walls seemed to close in around them as the confrontation began.

Somewhere in the distance, a car alarm wailed into the night.

But in that moment, the entire world had narrowed to just the two of them.

And the secrets that hung heavy between them.