Nicholas sat at the edge of the bar, a nearly empty glass of bourbon in his hand. The dim lighting did little to hide his disheveled appearance, but it wasn't entirely an act. The weight of their plan, the constant suspicion, and Castellano's looming presence were beginning to wear on him. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a secure device, and quickly composed an encrypted message to Renee.
"Lie low. No calls to Evelyn or anyone. Castellano's watching. I'll keep playing the drunkard. Stay safe."
Satisfied, he sent the message, knowing Renee would decode it and understand. He pushed the glass away and motioned for another drink. Around him, he could feel the subtle gaze of Castellano's spies. They weren't trying too hard to hide. Nicholas knew the game well—Castellano wanted him to know he was being watched.
Meanwhile, in her secluded location, Evelyn paced the room. Her mind was a storm of frustration and impatience. Staying hidden didn't sit well with her; she felt caged, powerless. Finally, she made up her mind. She would visit Nicholas. If Castellano was suspicious, she would add to the illusion of chaos.
Arriving at Nicholas's apartment unannounced, Evelyn banged on the door until he opened it. Nicholas's eyes widened slightly at her presence, but he quickly masked his surprise with feigned irritation.
"What are you doing here, Evelyn?" he asked, his voice slurred, playing up the drunken persona he'd cultivated.
"I just heard," Evelyn said, pushing past him into the room. Her face was a mixture of grief and anger. "Adrian's dead?"
Nicholas sighed heavily, closing the door behind her. "Yeah. Burnt alive by some business rivals. It's over, Evelyn. He's gone."
Evelyn froze, her hands clenching into fists as tears streamed down her face. She sank onto the couch, her body trembling with emotion. "That bastard!" she yelled suddenly, her voice echoing in the room. "He shouldn't have died yet! Not before I made him pay for everything he's done to me. I wanted him to watch as I tore down everything he ever worked for, everything he loved."
Nicholas's brow furrowed as he watched her, his act slipping for just a moment. But he quickly composed himself. "Evelyn," he said quietly, "you've got to let it go. Revenge won't bring back what you've lost."
Evelyn glared at him through her tears. "Don't lecture me, Nicholas. You don't know what I've been through, what I've sacrificed. Adrian's death doesn't erase the betrayal, the lies…" Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in her hands.
Unbeknownst to either of them, Castellano's informant was nearby, listening carefully to every word. The man quickly retreated, eager to report what he'd overheard.
Later that night, Castellano sat in his lavish study, a cigar in hand, as his informant relayed the details. The man's words painted a vivid picture of Evelyn's grief and anger. Castellano leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a satisfied smile.
"So," he said, exhaling a plume of smoke, "Adrian is truly dead, and Evelyn is consumed by her hatred for him. It seems I underestimated how far his betrayal would push her."
The informant nodded. "It seems genuine, boss. She wants nothing to do with Adrian's legacy. And Nicholas… he's a broken man."
Castellano tapped his fingers on the desk, deep in thought. "Evelyn Chase," he murmured. "She's still a threat, but now she's vulnerable. It's time I paid her a visit. Let's see how far I can push her."
He dismissed the informant and stared out the window, his mind racing. The pieces were falling into place, but something still nagged at him. Evelyn and Nicholas were formidable in their own right, and Castellano knew better than to underestimate anyone connected to Adrian Black.
Back at the apartment, Nicholas watched Evelyn carefully as she composed herself. Her outburst had been convincing, but there was still a risk. Castellano might buy the act, but it wouldn't take long for him to strike if he felt threatened.
"You're playing with fire, Evelyn," Nicholas said softly as she stood to leave.
She turned to him, her eyes hard. "Fire is the only way to fight a man like Castellano. If he wants to visit me, I'll be ready."
As the door closed behind her, Nicholas sighed and poured himself another drink. The game was more dangerous than ever, and he could only hope that their plan would hold.