Chapter 409

Evelyn pushed open the restroom door and stepped out. As she moved to wash her hands, the bodyguard stationed outside abruptly blocked a young woman attempting to enter.

The girl’s expression twisted in irritation, her lips parting to protest—until Evelyn emerged.

Their shoulders brushed as Evelyn passed, the accidental contact sending the stranger stumbling back a step.

"Watch where you're going!" the girl snapped, her voice sharp with indignation. "Who do you think you are? Does this place belong to you?"

Evelyn steadied her with a firm grip, murmuring an apology. "I didn’t mean to. Are you hurt?"

Her fingers tightened around the girl’s wrist, discreetly pressing a crumpled slip of paper into her palm.

Confusion flickered across the girl’s face at the unexpected object, but Evelyn’s grip prevented her from unfolding it—not here, not with the bodyguard watching.

"Ms. Carter, I’ll handle this," the bodyguard interjected, stepping between them. His tone was smooth, diplomatic. "Miss, we’d be happy to cover your expenses tonight. Will that suffice?"

The girl hesitated, her fingers curling around the hidden note.

Evelyn met her gaze briefly—a silent plea—before the bodyguard guided her away.

The moment the bathroom door clicked shut behind her, Evelyn unfolded the crumpled note with shaking fingers.

[I'm being forced. Please call this number—tell him to come to this café immediately. Help me.]

Alexander's number was hastily scrawled in smudged lipstick.

Evelyn had deliberately avoided involving the police. This was a Whitmore family matter, after all. A public scandal would only make things worse—for her, for Ethan, and especially for Alexander.

Her pulse hammered as she dialed the number.

Then, at the last second, she hung up.

Words might fail her. Instead, she typed out a frantic message, detailing everything—the forced dinner, Ethan’s watchful gaze, the bodyguard stationed outside.

Once sent, she flushed the note down the toilet and wiped her phone clean.

Cold water rushed over her trembling hands, washing away the sweat.

Then—her phone buzzed.

She answered without thinking.

But as she stepped out of the bathroom, the bodyguard was still there, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

Her breath caught.

She ended the call before a single word could escape.

The phone call ended abruptly.

Evelyn's fingers trembled as she set the device down.

Across the table, the bodyguard's sharp gaze never left her.

She forced herself to remain still, not daring to make any sudden moves.

Alexander's brow furrowed.

The sudden disconnection left him unsettled.

He checked the text message again—no mistake.

Without wasting another second, he grabbed his coat and headed straight for the restaurant.

It had to be Evelyn.

She was in trouble.

His instincts screamed that Ethan was behind this.

That manipulative bastard had gone too far.

The mall was crowded, typical for a weekend.

A full-scale lockdown would cause chaos, so Alexander had no choice but to search for her himself.

Evelyn returned to her seat, her pulse unsteady.

The table was laden with exquisite dishes.

Ethan smiled, the picture of charm as he served her.

"Try this," he urged, placing a delicate slice of seared scallop on her plate.

She picked at her food, chewing slowly.

Her eyes flickered toward the exit.

The girl she had bumped into earlier was leaving.

Had she delivered the message?

Evelyn couldn't be sure.

But she had to stall.

For Alexander.

For herself.

Ethan Caldwell dialed Alexander Whitmore's number, his fingers trembling slightly.

But his attention was abruptly stolen by the sight of Vanessa Hart slipping into a black sedan.

Something about her furtive movements set off alarms in his mind.

Without thinking, he ended the call mid-ring and quickened his pace.

The evening shadows stretched long across the pavement as he followed at a discreet distance.

Vanessa's car turned sharply down an unfamiliar side street, tires screeching against the asphalt.

Ethan cursed under his breath and flagged down a taxi.

"Follow that car," he instructed the driver, his voice tight with urgency.

Through the taxi's window, he watched the sedan weave through traffic with reckless abandon.

His phone buzzed in his pocket - Alexander calling back.

He ignored it.

The chase led them to the industrial district, where warehouses loomed like silent giants in the gathering dusk.

Vanessa's car disappeared behind a chain-link fence.

Ethan tossed cash at the driver and slipped out, moving with practiced stealth.

His polished shoes crunched on gravel as he approached the abandoned building.

A sliver of golden light escaped from beneath a rusted metal door.

Pressed against the cold concrete wall, he heard muffled voices inside.

One voice stood out - deep, commanding, and chillingly familiar.

Ethan's blood ran cold.

He recognized that voice from countless boardroom battles and family dinners.

This changed everything.

Backing away silently, he pulled out his phone with shaking hands.

Alexander needed to know.

Evelyn Carter needed to know.

But first, he needed proof.

Raising his phone camera, he captured the license plates of three black SUVs parked nearby.

The sound of a safety being clicked off froze him in place.

"Looking for someone?" a gruff voice asked from the shadows.

Ethan didn't turn around.

He knew when he was outmaneuvered.

Slowly, he lowered his phone.

The last thing he saw before the world went dark was Vanessa's smirk reflected in a broken window.

Then everything faded to black.

Ethan Caldwell dialed Alexander Whitmore's number, his fingers tapping impatiently against the phone.

But his attention snapped elsewhere when he noticed Evelyn Carter trailing after that mysterious woman.

A flicker of suspicion darkened his expression.

Evelyn lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.

The air between them grew thick with unspoken tension.

The phone trembled in Evelyn's hand as she ended the call with Alexander.

Her breath hitched when she spotted one of Ethan's bodyguards tailing the young woman who had just left.

A cold realization settled in her chest.

Ethan was suspicious.

Evelyn lowered her lashes, masking the flicker of unease in her gaze.

The game had just gotten more dangerous.