Chapter Forty-Eight: Who Sent You?

EVELYN'S POV

It was the first time I'd seen Leonard so cold and detached. His piercing gaze bore into Aaron's soul, and his voice was firm and commanding. The tension in the room was palpable, like the sharp crackle of high-voltage electricity, I watched Leonard’s personality switch.

I struggled to collect myself, focusing on the unfolding situation. Aaron was pleading his innocence, insisting he had done nothing wrong. But Leonard wasn’t buying it. His anger was evident in the tight lines of his jaw and the sharpness of his tone. “Cut that off.” He said in a cold tone.

“The sooner you stop lying, the safer it’ll be for you,” Leonard warned icily.

Then came the questions, each one like a carefully aimed bullet:

“Why did you ensure Evelyn's project was terminated? Why did you want to bring down the company? Who do you work with? And why do you work with them?”

Leonard’s men stood nearby, their expressions stoic and unreadable, ready to act at the slightest cue. I shivered, a cold chill running down my spine as I watched the scene unfold. Leonard had made it clear that any hint of deceit would lead to torture.

Aaron stood his ground, stubbornly repeating that he knew nothing. Leonard, however, was prepared. He gestured for one of his men to bring forth a guard who had overheard Aaron’s phone call at the restaurant.

At that moment, Aaron’s resolve wavered. His defiance softened, his expression shifting to one of silent pleading. The facade cracked. It wasn’t long before Aaron began to talk, revealing everything he knew.

I listened intently, my mind racing as the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place. Aaron confessed that Dana and Caleb were deeply involved in a sinister scheme. They had paid him to influence his uncle, a key board member, to sabotage the project. Aaron admitted he’d felt cornered—Caleb had threatened to implicate him in their dealings with a notorious drug lord if he refused. Caleb, being the boss’s right-hand man, was not someone to cross lightly.

“ Caleb now do drugs?” My eyes widened as I realized what he said.

This information was a breakthrough.

As we left Aaron’s location, a thrill coursed through me. Leonard had orchestrated everything perfectly, and I couldn’t help but be impressed by his skill and precision. Aaron’s fear of Leonard Henderson’s reputation meant he wouldn’t dare speak of this encounter to anyone.

The drive back was quiet, the weight of the revelations hanging heavy in the air. Exhaustion began to creep in, but instead of heading to my house, Leonard took me to his place. I quickly texted my dad, letting him know I was safe and would be staying over. I hesitated to tell him everything—it didn’t feel like the right time.

At Leonard’s house, I took a bath, trying to wash away the tension of the day. Leonard did the same, and later we found ourselves in the kitchen, where he prepared us a late-night meal. This had always been one of my favorite moments with him—just the two of us, talking over food.

As we ate, the weight of what we had uncovered began to settle in. Dana and Caleb weren’t just minor nuisances; they were dangerous, and I knew I had to go evil for evil with them. My approach would have to change—I’d been lenient before, but not anymore.

My thoughts drifted to my dad. Was he in danger because of his ignorance of the situation? Could they use him against me? The possibilities were frightening. I resolved to tell him everything soon, before it was too late.

Later that evening, Leonard busied himself with some work in the living room while I lay in his bed, my mind a tangled web of thoughts. I decided then and there to focus solely on the matter at hand. My feelings for Leonard would have to take a backseat. The stakes were too high for distractions.

Sleep came slowly, my mind restless with plans and worries.

The next morning, I woke up to a message from Dana. She wanted to meet, and Caleb would join her if I didn’t mind. Her tone was polite, almost pleading, but I knew better than to trust her. I replied casually, feigning ignorance, and told her I’d let her know once I had time.

Downstairs, Leonard was already up, preparing tea. I told him about Dana’s message, and he suggested I accept the meeting—but under no circumstances should it be at my house. I agreed, trusting his judgment.

Before I left, Leonard took my hand and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be with you through this, Evelyn,” he assured me. “You’re not alone. And as for your dad, tell him everything. It’s better for him to be prepared and on guard.”

His words brought me a sense of comfort and reassurance. I knew I could trust him with my life.

After our morning tea, I went upstairs to get dressed. Just as I was about to leave, Leonard walked into the room, surprised to see me ready so soon.

“Evelyn, what’s going on? Can’t we spend a little more time together?” His voice held a note of pleading, but I had to stay focused.

“I’ve already booked a ride,” I explained, brushing past his concern.

His expression hardened. “Cancel it. I’ll drop you off myself.”

Reluctantly, I canceled the ride and waited for him to get ready.

The car ride was quiet, the tension between us palpable. Though unspoken, I knew Leonard wasn’t happy about my decision to distance myself. But this was something I had to do on my own terms.

As we pulled up to my destination, Leonard gave me one last, lingering look. “Be careful, Evelyn,” he said.

I nodded, stepping out of the car with a sense of resolve. The game had begun long ago, but now I was ready to play my hand. Dana and Caleb wouldn’t see what was coming.