Chapter 10:The weight of the truth...

The carriage rocked violently as Carter urged the horses forward. Lillian clung to the seat beside me, her breath coming in sharp,uneven gasps. My fingers tightened around the leather-bond journal in my lap. The words inside had already changed everything.

"Eliminate Everly Lancaster before she uncovers the truth."

I swallowed hard. I had suspected I was in danger before,but seeing it written so painly - seeing my death planned like a business transaction - sent ice through my veins.

Lillian must have notice the way my hands trembled. "What does it say?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I hesitated,then turned the book so she could see. Her eyes scanned the page before widening in horror.

"Everly..."

Carter didn't turn, but his voice was sharp . "What is it?"

"They want her dead ," Lillian said, her voice shaking. "It's written here.

They planned it."

Carter cursed under his breath, snapping

the reins . "We need to disappear . Now."

"We can't just disappear," I said my voice steadier than I felt. "We have this now." I lifted the journal.

"It proves everything. We can expose them."

Carter's jaw tightened. "Exposing them won't mean anything if you're dead."

I knew he was right,but I wasn't ready to run. Not yet.

I flipped through the pages, scanning for anything that might tell me more.

The names, the deals, the betrayal - it was all there. But one name kept appearing, over and over, woven into every major decision.

Ethan Thompson.

My pulse quickened. "Ethan Thompson.... I know that name ."

Carter's expression darkened. "You should. He is one of the most powerful men in the city. Wealthy , influential.... untouchable."

Lillian paled. "Do you think he's the one behind all this?"

I hesitated. "Maybe. Or maybe he's just another piece of the puzzle. But if he's involved, he might be the key of understanding everything."

Carter exhaled sharply. "Getting close to a man like Thompson isn't easy. And it's dangerous."

"I don't care," I said. "If he knows the truth, I ned to hear it from him."

Lillian reached for my hand. "Then we do this together."

Carter sighed. "You're both insane."

"Probably," I said. "But we've past the point of turning back."

Carter was silent for a long moment,then he muttered, "I might know how to get get us in."

Lillian and I exchanged a look. ""Tell us." I said.

Three nights later,we stood in front of Thompson's estate, dressed in borrowed finery.

It was a perfect opportunity. Thompson was hosting a grand gala - a night where the city's elite would gather in one place, drinking and scheming beneath crystal Chandeliers. It was the only way to get close to him without drawing suspiciou.

Carter had managed to secure invitation under false names. It wasn't foolproof,but it was our best chance.

Lillian adjusted the silk gloves on her hands, her nervous energy barely contained. "Are we really doing this?"

" Yes,"I said.

She exhaled, "I was afraid you'd say that."

Carter stepped forward, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

I slid my hand into his. Together we entered the lion's den.

The ballroom was a masterpiece of excess. Glided walls, Chandeliers dripping with light, the scent of expensive perfume lingering the air. The sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the space.

I forced myself to move naturally,to smile when necessary. We had a goal, but we couldn't rush. We had to blend in.

Lillian stayed close,her eyes darting around the room. Carter ever composed, led us toward the heart of the gathering. Then I saw him.

Ethan Thompson and.

He stood near the grand staircase, a glass of wine in hand, laughing at something a woman whispered in his ear. He was younger than I expected - mid-forties, with sharp blue eyes and an effortless power.

Carter leaned in. "There's your man."

I took a deep breath. "I need to speak with him alone."

"That's a terrible idea,"Carter said.

"Probably."

Carter sighed. "Be careful."

I stepped forward, weaving through the crowd until I was close enough to catch Thompson's attention.

When our eyes met, his gaze sharpened. He studied me, his expression unreadable. Then, with a small smile,he gestured toward the balcony doors.

An invitation.

I swallowed my nerves and followed.

The balcony was quite, overlooking the city. The noise of the party faded and I behind us.

Thompson and turned to me, his smile polite but calculated. "You don't belong here."

I held his gaze. " Neither do you."

His smile didn't falter. "Who are you?"

"I am Everly Lancaster."

Recognition flickered in his eyes. He took a slow sip of his wine. "Ah. The widow."

My pulse pounded. "You know who I am."

"I know many things." He tilted his head. "Tell me, Everly, what is it you want?"

I stepped closer. "The truth."

Thompson chuckled. "Dangerous thing to seek."

"I'm already in danger,"I said. "I know about the list. About the murders. About you."

He exhaled, swirling the wine in his glass. "And yet, here you are speaking to me as if you have a choice in how this ends."

Fear coiled in my stomach,yet I held firm. "You could have had me killed already. But you haven't."

He studied me for a long moment. Then,he set his glass down.

" You remind me of your husband," he said finally. "Too stubborn for your own good."

Daniel.

I clenched my fists. "You had him killed, didn't you?"

Thompson didn't answer.

I took a step closer. "Why?"

A slow smile. "Because he got too close."

A chill ran through me.

Thompson leaned in. "And now,so have you."

The warning was clear. I had crossed into dangerous territory,and there would be no going back.

But I wasn't done yet. "You can kill me," I said, voice steady. "But the truth will still come out."

Thompson's expression darkened. "Let's hope, for your sake, that's not true."

A movement in the shadows caught my eye. Someone was watching.

Carter.

I gave the faintest nod. He understood.

It was time to go.

I tuned back to Thompson. "This isn't over."

He smiled. "No,it isn't.

As I walked away,I knew one thing for certain - Ethan Thompson wasn't just another name in the journal.

He was the one pulling the strings. And now,he knew I was coming for him.