Betrayal (II)

The greenhouse was dimly lit, the scent of fresh blooms filling the air, masking the unsettling tension creeping into her. As she walked through the softly illuminated path, weaving past rows of lilies and orchids, she noticed the small cottage tucked away near the far end of the greenhouse, that was Rose's private retreat.

Her pace slowed as she approached. She dialed Rose's number again, pressing the phone to her ear. The sound of ringing came from inside the cottage. Thinking that Rose would be inside the cottage, she waked more towards the cottage just as she was right next to the small window in the cottage, the ringing stopped. The call had been declined.

Then, she heard it. The soft moans. Muffled laughter. The unmistakable rhythm of bodies moving against each other.

Through the sliver of an open window, she could see into the dimly lit interior. Her stomach clenched as her gaze locked onto the scene inside.

A woman lay bare sprawled across the wooden table, her hair tumbling over the surface of the table. Her body arching in pleasure. Behind her, a man stood, gripping her hips possessively, his movements slow and deliberate.

Eve's vision blurred. Lucas. The man she had loved. A choked gasp almost escaped her lips, but instinctively, she slapped a hand over her mouth. Her heart pounded violently in her chest, her pulse a deafening roar. In haste second hand which was still holding her phone dialed Rose's number unknowingly.

The woman, Rose, let out a breathy sigh, turning her head slightly, her face twisted in pleasure and annoyance as she reached toward the phone that had just rung. Eve's Call.

With a huff, Rose swiped to decline, tossing the phone aside. "Ugh, why does this bitch keep calling me?" she groaned, her voice thick with frustration. "Does she think I'm her servant, always waiting on her?"

Lucas let out a low chuckle, pressing his lips against the side of her neck. "Patience, baby," he murmured, his tone soothing. "A few more months and you'll never have to deal with her again."

Eve's nails dug into her palm.

Rose let out a frustrated sigh. "I just want this over with. I'm sick of playing the doting friend."

Lucas slowed his movements, his hand sliding up her spine. "Don't lose focus now, sweetheart. You've done an incredible job all these years," he praised, his voice dripping with amusement. "Are you telling me, after coming this close, you're giving up?"

Rose whimpered under his touch. "No… I just.." She swallowed hard. "I want her gone already."

Lucas smirked against her skin. "Soon," he assured her. Then, with eerie nonchalance, he added, "Besides, Calam is dead. The police are settling it as suicide."

Eve staggered back as though she had been physically struck.

Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body trembling violently. Her mind screamed at her to move, to run, but she was frozen in place.

She had been betrayed before. Lied to. Used. But this…..this was different.

This wasn't just infidelity. This was a conspiracy. A carefully orchestrated destruction of her life, her trust, and now, someone's life had been stolen. Lucas had used her. Rose had deceived her.

And Calam…Who was Calam, she doesn't remember anyone name Calam.

Eve's fingers tightened on the sofa's armrest, her knuckles paling from the pressure. The memory replayed vividly in her mind, every detail etched with searing clarity.

She wanted nothing more than to slap Lucas across his smug face. To tear Rose apart with the very hands that had once held hers in friendship.

But she wouldn't. Not yet. They had played the very long game. Manipulated. Deceived. Killed. And now, it was her turn.

Her gaze flickered to Calam, the man who had been robbed of his legacy. He wasn't the first victim. He wouldn't be the last if she didn't stop this now.

She inhaled deeply, suppressing the storm raging within her. Then, with a cold, calculated smile, she looked up.

" Mr. Calam," she said slowly, deliberately. "Lucas wasn't trying to sell your project. He was trying to steal it."

Calam could hardly fathom the betrayal. The man he had entrusted with his life's work, the one he had believed in without question, had deceived him. A wave of nausea churned in his stomach, his rage simmering just beneath the surface. Lucas Thornton; heir to one of the most powerful families had no reason to lie, no need to stoop so low. And yet, here they were.

His gaze flickered toward Eve, searching her expression for any trace of deception. Was she misleading him? Could this be a carefully laid trap, orchestrated to pit him against Lucas? But then, why? Was his project truly that valuable? He had always believed in its potential, yet he had never achieved anything grand enough to warrant such deceit. The thought unsettled him; was his work worth stealing? His own self-doubt clouded his judgment, making it impossible to discern the truth.

Across the room, Miss Rayner observed him with an unsettling clarity, as if she could see straight into his thoughts. Her piercing gaze held him captive as she said, "You'll have your answer in exactly five minutes, Mr. Calam."

Her words only deepened his confusion. Five minutes? What did she mean? The weight of uncertainty pressed down on him, stretching every second into an eternity. Eve, seated before him, exuded an air of quiet confidence, as if she already knew the outcome. His mind raced, and a sheen of cold sweat formed on his brow. His breathing quickened; panic creeping in until the silence was shattered by the sharp trill of a ringing phone.

The tension in the room thickened as Gwen retrieved the device and passed it to Miss Evelyn. Without hesitation, Evelyn accepted the call, switching it to speaker.

"Yes, Mr. Lucas," she said coolly. "You called just in time. The time I gave you is up. I assume you have an answer for me?"

A brief silence followed before Lucas's voice filled the room; calm, composed, deceptively sincere. "Miss Rayner, I called to clear up a misunderstanding. I don't know who's been spreading these rumors, but I assure you, the Zelius Project is mine. I would hope you'd trust me on that."

Calam felt his pulse spike, his vision flashing red with fury. Lucas had the audacity to claim his work as his own? His fingers curled into fists, and he was ready to explode when a firm hand pressed against his shoulder. He turned to see Miss Gwen, her eyes steady, offering for a restraint. Thus, he chose to listen rather than react.

Evelyn, unaffected by Lucas's polished performance, responded with chilling finality. "Very well, I have your answer."

Without another word, she ended the call, her expression unreadable as she turned her scrutiny toward Calam. The weight of her gaze pinned him in place as she continued, "I hope your doubts are settled. Now, given your circumstances if you go against Lucas, you'll lose. Not just your project, but much more because he plays dirty. You have a choice: you can join him, but do you truly believe he'll ever let you take credit for your work? Or you take my offer. I'll invest in Zelius, fully and even if someone joins the project it won't be because I can't take the risk associated to the project it will be more because they're interested in your project. I believe in your project, Calam. More importantly, I believe in you. Hence, I want you to join my company as Chief Researcher. You'll lead the department."

Calam's mind reeled. He stared at her, stunned. Work with Eve Corp? Head an entire department? It sounded too good to be real; an impossible dream materializing before his very eyes.

As his thoughts spiraled, Miss Gwen silently handed him a folder. With trembling fingers, he opened it. His breath hitched. A generous salary. A ten percent stake in successful projects. A three-bedroom apartment near the office. His vision blurred at the edges; was this really happening?

He forced himself to look up, meeting Evelyn's gaze. There was something almost omniscient in her eyes, as if she had orchestrated this moment ten steps ahead of everyone else. Every line in that folder was tempting, an offer most would accept without hesitation.

However, after taking a steadying breath, he spoke, his voice firm despite the whirlwind in his chest. "Madam, I accept your offer. On one condition, I must have the freedom to work on my project without constraints."

A brief pause. Then, a slow, knowing smile curved on Evelyn's lips. She extended her hand.Calam clasped it.

The deal was sealed.