Shadows of the Past

Evelyn felt the weight of Vincent Moreau’s words long after he walked away. His interest in her wasn’t casual—it was calculated. And that was dangerous.

Adrian, standing beside her, had gone silent. That was even more concerning.

She turned to him, tilting her head. "What’s wrong? Didn’t like the competition?"

His jaw ticked. "That man doesn’t do small talk, Sinclair."

She smirked. "Neither do I."

Adrian exhaled sharply, stepping closer. "I need you to listen to me for once, Evelyn. Stay away from him."

She folded her arms. "And why would I take orders from you?"

"Because Moreau isn’t just a businessman." Adrian’s voice dropped lower. "He’s connected—deeply. And if he’s interested in you, it’s not for a good reason."

Evelyn’s heartbeat quickened, but she masked it with indifference. "I can handle myself."

Adrian ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. "Damn it, why do you always have to act like you’re untouchable?"

"Because I am."

The confidence in her voice was real, but so was the doubt creeping into her mind.

---

Later That Night – Evelyn’s Penthouse

The city skyline stretched endlessly before her, but Evelyn wasn’t admiring the view. Her fingers hovered over her phone, debating whether to dig into Vincent Moreau’s history.

She knew better than to ignore a warning.

With a sigh, she typed his name into her database.

Moreau, Vincent. CEO of Moreau Industries. Suspected ties to underground dealings. Untouchable in the legal world. Known for making people disappear without a trace.

Evelyn’s fingers curled into a fist.

What did he want with her?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a notification. Unknown Number: "You’ve caught the wrong attention, Sinclair. Be careful."

Her pulse spiked.

She stared at the message, debating whether to reply.

Before she could decide, her phone rang.

Adrian.

She hesitated, then answered.

His voice was sharp. "Check your security cameras."

Her stomach twisted. Adrian never sounded worried.

Without a word, she pulled up the footage from the penthouse entrance.

A figure in a black suit stood just beyond the security cameras, face obscured. They weren’t trying to get in. They were watching.