CHAPTER 3: New One

Damien sat in his dark room; the silence is broken only by the air conditioner's sound "hum". He held a worn photo of his father, Blackwood, whose death defined his life for 24 years. Memories of that day replayed in his mind: James's furious face and his actions, Serena's betrayal, and the shocking letter.

"Serena," he said, anger evident in his voice as he held a glass of drink in his hand. "Even after all these years, my anger hasn't faded. No matter how much time has passed, the pain and humiliation still burn."

"How could she have done this to your family?" The weight of the past remains, refusing to let him go.

Across the hall, in a sleek, dimly lit conference room, a projector buzzed softly and a man with a well-defined face sat at a wooden table, tapping his fingers. He stared at the screen while a nearby professional calmly presented the mission slides, outlining each aspect.

An image caught Nate's attention: a young woman with piercing eyes gazed back at him, her expression calm and understated. "She looks too young for the mission," he thought.

The professional continued explaining the mission. "Her name is Evangeline Winter; she is 19 years old 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 must abandon her".

The assistant calmly explained that your main objective was to get sensitive information about her father's business.

"Your high school enrollment, visa, and passport are 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." He explained with a tiny smile and a professional tone. Nate dismissed the presenter with a nod, rising from his seat. 

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 with me.... It's not that complicated," he said with confidence. He stood casually from his chair and adjusting his leather jacket, he strode toward his father's room.

In the next room, his father waited for him, his gaze as icy and unforgiving as steel. Nate starts his conversation with confidence. "Dad, I understand the mission, and I will be with her soon."

His father's expression didn't change. Instead, a flicker of revenge shows in his eyes. "She is the enemy's daughter, Nate. Don't let your feelings confuse your judgment. "

"Be careful with your surroundings. Someone is watching every move." Damien warned him.

Nate nodded his head up and down once. "Dad. I promise I won't let you down. Once they become an enemy, they stay that way." He said like he was already on a mission.

"I know you never will, my son. They have to pay for what they did in the past," he said without an expression on his face, and he turned back to watching his dad's photo frame.

Nate offered no further comment. He turned back and left the room.

Hours later, Nate was on a flight to Texas in his plane, ready to start the mission that would entwine his fate with Evangeline Winter's.

Meanwhile, in an enormous house surrounded by heavy security, full of blossoms and roses, fresh air flows everywhere. Evangeline tossed a ball up and down in her hands, watching her father read a document on the sofa. "Dad, can we talk? "

"Yes, Eve" 

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

His dad, Ethan knew already she was going to be brainwashed whenever she returned to her high school," Really"

"If there's any problem, I'll just call Max," she said casually waiting for her dad's words.

Ethan Winters shook his head sarcastically but spoke in a serious tone. "No, Eve..."

"You never understand. We have too many business enemies, and I can't be there to protect you all the time. The guards are there to keep you safe, and they can be helpful."

"Don't you remember what happened last year?" he just adding make her to stop, but she didn't.

 "But Dad, you always mention these business enemies, but I don't even know who they are. I just need some space. I don't want them hovering around me all the time...."

"I want to be alone, and I want to go everywhere in the world," she argued like a child.

 "You know why I do this, Eve. It's not just about your safety; it's about ensuring nothing happens to you. You're not a child anymore, but you're still my daughter," Ethan said, firmly standing by his words.

She let out a long deep breath, pleading, and wrapped her dad from the back side "Dad, okay... Why we can make a deal"

"OH! You came up with a new plan this time Goodie, Go ahead"

"I just need two guards; I can go wherever I want and stay but I inform them don't worry" She is asking list of permissions.

"Is that enough or do you want more" he teased her enthusiastically.

 Ethan hesitated at first, sorting through his thoughts "She not wrongs though", then nodded. "Alright. Two guards. Call me if anything happens." He said with a polite smile.

Evangeline thought to herself, "It's okay." Previously, there had been one bodyguard for every meter around her, but now there were two. She observed her father as he agreed to her request, a sly smile forming on her face. She hugged her dad tightly from behind and said with a wide smile, "You're the sweetest dad."

While Eve and her father exchanged their love, her mom, Serena, called out, "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 because of missing her family. She waved goodbye to her parents.

----

The next day morning, fresh air and sunlight streamed through the window. On the first day of the last year, Evangeline was in her classroom with her two best friends, Lilly and Joe. They engaged in a lively conversation about their holiday experiences and shared the latest gossip. Everyone in the class was roaming around, taking photos, and posting on Instagram. 

Suddenly, the door swung open, everyone remained silent, and the professor entered, signaling the beginning of class. After distributing some notes, he was about to start the lesson when a new face appeared in the doorway.

"Excuse me, sir"