CHAPTER 3: Revenge time

Damien's room was silent except for the air conditioner's hum. he rotated the amber liquid in his glass while his eyes remained locked on the photograph. Blackwood glared at him through the photograph with a stern expression mingled with kindness which appeared frozen in time.

A relentless beast of memory from that day 24 years back tormented Damien. The expression of violent anger on James's face appeared to Damien in his nightmares. The betrayal Serena committed continues to feel like a cutting pain inside his chest. Damien felt his jaw tighten as he looked at the incriminating letter his father held in his hand.

He murmured "Serena" while his words dripped with venomous undertones. The whiskey burned his throat while offering him a much-needed diversion. Time has passed but my anger remains unchanged. The humiliation still stings. Your actions resulted in me losing my father, business and everything precious to me. The burden of his history weighed heavily on him like an unending painful wound. "Now is the time—Tit for Tat." 

In the side room, the projector hummed quietly as it displayed a rectangular light on the screen in the stylish dim conference room. A man whose face showed clear definition and strong resolve took his place at a wooden table and began a rhythmic tapping with his fingers. The man observed the screen attentively as the professional standing nearby methodically explained the mission slides by going through each aspect.

An image flashed on the screen that caught Nate's attention: a young woman with piercing eyes stared back at him, her expression calm, almost defiant. "She looks too young for the mission," he thought.

The professional continued explaining, "Her name is Evangeline Winter; she is 19 and the second daughter of the Winters family. Your mission is to integrate into her life, charm her, earn her trust, and make her fall in love with you. Once she's emotionally attached, you will terminate her relationship.".

"Terminate." The word echoed in Nate's mind. He pushed the thought aside.

"Your main objective," the professional continued, "is to get sensitive information about her father's business. Your university enrollment, visa, and passport were finalized. Your role is to act as a student. Your cover details are now in your secure channel. If you have further questions, Damien Blackwood is in the next room." The professional offered a smile. Nate dismissed the presenter with a wave of his hand.

The room fell silent again, but the projector light faced him. Evangeline's beautiful and dignified face remains in his mind, her dark eyes daring him to act. Watching her photo, he began plotting the mission's complexities. His hand went to his temple, and a smirk spread across his lips. "Make her fall in love... It's not that complicated," he laced with confidence. He stood casually from his chair, and adjusting his leather jacket, he strode toward his father's room.

Damien stood by the window, his back to Nate. He held the same photograph Damien had been looking at earlier. His voice was cold and flat. "Father, I understand the mission, and I will be with her soon."

Damien turned his gaze as icy and unforgiving as steel. Instead, a flicker of revenge shows in his eyes. "She is the enemy's daughter, Nate. Don't let your feelings confuse your judgment."

His voice dropped, a warning. "Be careful. Someone is watching your every move."

Nate gave a single, sharp note. "Father, I promise I won't let you down. Once they become an enemy, they stay that way."

"I know you never will, my son. They have to pay for what they did in the past," Damien said, his face devoid of emotion, his eyes returning to the photograph.

Nate offered no further comment. He left Damien's room, Evangeline's face still running in his mind. This is going to be easier than I thought.

Back in his room, his maid, Clara, had packed his suitcase and perfectly arranged his clothes and watches.

"Everything is ready, Mr. Blackwood," she said.

"Thank you, Clara," Nate replied, heading for his shower. He dressed quickly, choosing a dark suit. Time to play my part, he thought, a smirk touching his lips.

Hours later, Nate arrived at the private airfield. His jet, sleek and menacing, stood ready. The rotors whispered a promise of speed.

He boarded the opulent cabin, a familiar comfort. With a surge, the jet clawed into the darkening sky, heading for Texas.

Meanwhile, in an enormous pentagon-shaped house surrounded by high walls and vigilant heavy security, a riot full of blossoms and roses, a scent of fresh air flows everywhere.

Evangeline tossed a tennis ball in the air, her brow furrowed. Her father, Ethan, sat on a sofa in a huge hall and scanned the business document holding in his hand.

"Dad," she begins, "can we talk?"

"Of course, Eve," Ethan looked up.

"I don't need bodyguards anymore." She argued, "I am already 19; I'm fine; I can survive on my own."

Ethan sighed. "Eve, you don't understand. We have enemies. People who would stop at nothing…"

"Enemies," she interrupted his conversation, rolling her eyes. "Dad..... You always talk about enemies, but I don't even know who they are! I am good... you can watch me."

"I just want some space. I don't want to be suffocated."

"It's not just about enemies, all about your safety, Eve. It's about making sure nothing can happen to you. You're my daughter."

"But Dad—"

"No, Eve," he interrupted, his voice determined. "We are done about this topic"

Evangeline took a deep breath, a spark of defiance in her eyes. "Okay," she said, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Can we make a small deal?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, placing a document on the table, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Ah, she's got a new plan. "Alright, Eve. Let's hear it."

"Go ahead." 

"I just need two young guards; I can go wherever I want and stay, but I inform them, Don't worry." she looked at him, her face a blend of pleading and resolve.

"Is that enough, or do you want more?"

"Enough... enough..."

Ethan hesitated at first, sorting through his thoughts. She is not wrong, though; as a dad, I have to give her freedom and then nod.

"Alright. Two guards. Call me if anything happens." He said with a polite humble smile.

"I will," she said, a wide smile spreading across her face. Two guards are better than ten. She threw her arms around him tightly from the back.

"You're the best dad."

Just then, Serena called from the next room. "Lunch is ready, sweetheart! Come on, Honey."

The three of them enjoyed their meal together, with her mom encouraging her, saying, "Eat healthy, don't skip classes, get home early, and most importantly, no night parties, Eve," teasing her in between.

Then that evening, Evangeline packed her things and boarded her family's plane to Texas. A mix of excitement about her freedom and sadness remains on her face. She waved goodbye to her parents.

----

The next morning, fresh air and sunlight streamed through the glass window of the lecture hall. Evangeline sat with her two best friends, Lilly and Joe, engaged in a lively conversation about their holiday experiences and shared the latest gossip about other relationships. The hall buzzed with the sound of students catching up, some girls putting on makeup, taking photos, and posting on social media.

Suddenly, the door swung open, everyone in the hall remained silent, and the professor entered smiling, a stack of books in her hand. She began to distribute handouts, but before she started the lecture, a new figure appeared in the doorway.

"Excuse me, professor."