The moment I got home, I locked myself in the bedroom with my laptop. My hands shook as I typed in my banking details. The mysterious deposit wasn't a mistake—it was real. $250,000, sitting in my account, taunting me.
I clicked on the transaction history, searching for a clue. The deposit came from a company I didn't recognize: Quinn Enterprises. My stomach dropped. Hunter Quinn. This couldn't be a coincidence.
Was he onto me? Was this a test? A payoff? I stared at the screen, my mind spinning. If Hunter knew who I really was, this game could be over before it even began.
"Evelyn?" Liam's voice broke through my thoughts, followed by a knock on the door. "What are you doing in there?"
I slammed the laptop shut and called back, "Just working on something for a client."
He didn't answer, but I could hear his footsteps retreating. My heart was pounding. I needed to figure out what this meant, but I couldn't let Liam see me like this.
Later that evening, Liam hovered around me like a shadow. He kept glancing my way, his brows knit together like he was piecing together a puzzle.
"Something on your mind?" I finally asked, keeping my tone casual.
"You've been acting strange," he said, crossing his arms. "Ever since that call."
I rolled my eyes. "I told you, it was nothing. Drop it."
But he didn't. "You sure about that? Because you've been on edge all day. And now you're locking yourself in rooms and lying about 'client work.'"
"I'm not lying," I snapped, then regretted it immediately. My reaction was too sharp, too defensive.
Liam studied me, his eyes narrowing. "You know, Evelyn, if there's something you're hiding, it's going to come out eventually."
His words hit too close to home. I forced a smile. "You're overthinking, Liam. I'm just stressed, that's all."
He didn't look convinced, but he dropped the subject. For now.
That night, I tried to focus on my next steps. I needed to keep Hunter close without letting him see my cards. And Liam—he was becoming a problem. His suspicions were growing, and I couldn't afford to slip.
But as I sat on the couch, scrolling through emails, Liam came over and handed me a glass of wine. "You've been working too hard," he said, sitting beside me.
I raised an eyebrow. "What's this? Are you trying to be nice to me?"
He chuckled, leaning back. "Maybe. You don't make it easy, you know."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, you don't exactly scream 'Prince Charming,' either."
We fell into an easy silence, the kind that was rare between us. For a moment, I let my guard down.
"You know," Liam said, his voice softer now, "sometimes I feel like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."
I froze, his words hitting a nerve. "What makes you say that?"
He shrugged. "Just a feeling. You don't have to do everything alone, Evelyn."
I looked at him, his face unusually open and sincere. For a second, I forgot about the lies, the schemes, and the walls I'd built around myself.
Without thinking, I leaned in. It was a small, hesitant movement, but Liam noticed. His hand brushed mine, sending a spark through me.
I pulled back, clearing my throat. "I should get some sleep."
Liam didn't push. He just nodded, watching me as I retreated to the bedroom.
Lying in bed, I couldn't stop thinking about him. Liam wasn't part of the plan. He wasn't supposed to matter. But the way he looked at me, the way he saw through my defenses—it was dangerous.
And then there was Hunter. The deposit, the connection to Quinn Enterprises, the game I was playing. Everything was spiraling, and I didn't know how much longer I could keep it all together.
One thing was clear: I needed to stay focused. There was too much at stake to let feelings, doubts, or distractions get in the way. But as I closed my eyes, Liam's face lingered in my mind, and I hated that I didn't hate it.
I woke up early the next morning, my mind buzzing with thoughts about the mysterious deposit and Liam's growing suspicions. The air felt heavy with tension, but I had no time to dwell. Hunter had invited me to a private meeting, and I wasn't about to miss an opportunity to strengthen my position.
I slipped into a sleek black dress and tied my hair into a neat bun, exuding the kind of polished confidence Hunter would expect. Liam was still asleep on the couch when I left, his face peaceful, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in my mind.
Hunter's office was immaculate, all glass and steel, with a view of the city that could make anyone feel insignificant. He was waiting for me, seated behind his massive desk, his eyes lighting up when I entered.
"Evelyn," he greeted, rising to shake my hand. "You look stunning, as always."
I smiled, keeping my tone light. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Quinn."
He chuckled, gesturing for me to sit. "I wanted to have this meeting privately. There are things you need to know."
I leaned forward, intrigued. "I'm listening."
Hunter's expression grew serious. "Not everyone in my circle is trustworthy. There are people who would use you to get to me. People who might not have your best interests at heart."
His words were calm, but there was an edge to them. He was warning me, but about what—or who?
"Are you suggesting someone specific?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.
Hunter leaned back, his eyes studying me. "Let's just say you should be careful who you trust. Even those closest to you might have their own agenda."
My heart skipped a beat. Was he talking about Liam? Did Hunter know something I didn't?
"I'll keep that in mind," I said, masking my unease with a smile.
Hunter nodded, his gaze lingering on me a moment longer than necessary. "You're smart, Evelyn. I'm sure you'll figure it out."
By the time I returned home, Liam was awake and busy in the kitchen, making coffee. The smell filled the small apartment, but it did little to calm my nerves.
"You're back early," he said, glancing over his shoulder.
"It was just a quick meeting," I replied, setting my bag down.
He handed me a cup of coffee, his eyes searching mine. "You seem tense. Did something happen?"
"No," I said quickly, taking a sip. "Just a lot on my mind."
Liam didn't press, but I could feel his gaze on me, like he was trying to peel back the layers of my carefully crafted mask.
As the day went on, he began dropping little comments, subtle jabs that felt too pointed to be innocent.
"Must be nice to have connections like yours," he said at one point, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Nothing," he replied with a shrug. "Just that you seem to know how to make things happen. Not everyone has that kind of skill."
It wasn't what he said but how he said it that unnerved me. Did he know about my past? Was he trying to bait me into confessing?
I laughed it off, but the tension between us grew thicker with every passing moment.
That night, as Liam lay asleep on the couch, I paced the living room, my thoughts tangled in knots. The earlier warning from Hunter played over in my mind, his words a subtle yet sharp blade cutting into my trust.
I glanced over at Liam. He looked peaceful, almost innocent, but something about his calmness made my chest tighten. I wasn't sure if it was guilt, suspicion, or something far more dangerous.
Needing a distraction, I reached for my phone on the coffee table, but Liam's phone buzzed instead. My eyes flicked to the screen. A single notification lit up, the message preview short but enough to freeze me in place.
"Hope you are still on track…"
My stomach dropped. What track? What plan?