The One Behind the Curtain

Abandoned Safehouse – 4:35 AM**

The room felt suffocating.

Evelyn could hear the blood rushing in her ears, her pulse hammering against her ribs as Kade's words hung in the air.

Theo's expression was unreadable—his eyes dark, calculating, but beneath that… a flicker of something else. Shock.Disbelief. Maybe even rage.

Because the name Kade had just muttered?

It shattered every assumption they had made.

Theo's voice was quiet, but it carried a deadly weight. "Say it again."

Kade exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, man. I don't want to be the one to—"

Theo grabbed his collar again, slamming him back against the wall.

Kade groaned. "For god sake—"

Theo's grip tightened. "Say it. Again."

Kade sighed, glancing between them. Then, finally, he muttered,

"Elias Bennett."

Silence.

A stillness settled over Theo that sent a chill down Evelyn's spine.

She had seen him angry before. Furious. But this?

This was something else.

Evelyn's voice was barely above a whisper. "Theo…?"

He didn't respond.

Didn't even blink.

His brother.

His own damn brother.

Kade sighed. "I know it's a lot to process, but—"

Theo punched the wall next to Kade's head. The impact cracked the plaster, dust raining down.

Evelyn flinched.

Kade let out a low whistle. "Yup. Kinda expected that reaction."

Theo's hands were trembling. Not out of fear. Not even out of rage.

But because the one person he had never questioned—the one person he had trusted above all else—had been the puppet master all along.

Evelyn finally stepped forward, placing a hesitant hand on Theo's arm. "Theo, we need to think."

Theo let out a sharp breath, as if forcing himself to focus. His jaw clenched so tightly she thought he might break a tooth.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"Tell me everything."

Kade rubbed his jaw. "Right. Okay. But first, maybe let go of me? I kinda like my ability to breathe."

Theo didn't move.

Evelyn gave him a look.

Theo exhaled sharply, but he let go.

Kade muttered, "Thank you," before dusting himself off.

Then, he crossed his arms. "Alright. Here's the deal. Elias Bennett? He's been pulling the strings from day one."

Evelyn swallowed. "Why?"

Kade smirked humorlessly. "Because he wants Theo dead."

The words hit like a bullet.

Theo didn't react. Didn't flinch. But Evelyn saw it.

The crack in his armor.

Kade continued. "Think about it. Every time you got close to the truth, something happened. Someone tipped the enemies off. Someone redirected the threats. And Ethan?" He let out a chuckle. "That wasn't just a random betrayal. That was Elias making sure you stayed right where he wanted you."

Evelyn's mind raced. "But why? What could he possibly gain from this?"

Kade shrugged. "Power. Control. Maybe just the satisfaction of watching you crash and burn."

Theo then said "he want's everything from me you know eve Elias is the ceo of Bennett enterprises our mother's last thing and Elias wanted the enterprise but it was written in my name so he said that he wants that and i being blind in brother's love gave him and be a normal literary chief a normal life maybe is better but he ..."

Theo's voice was like steel. "How long have you known?"

Kade hesitated.

Theo took a step closer. "How. Long."

Kade sighed. "A few days."

Theo's fists clenched. "And you didn't think to tell me sooner?"

Kade raised a brow. "Would you have believed me?"

Theo opened his mouth, then stopped.

Because Kade was right.

If someone had come to him, claiming Elias was behind everything, he would have laughed in their face.

But now?

Now, it all made sense.

Evelyn exhaled. "We need a plan."

Theo finally turned to look at her. "No."

She frowned. "No?"

Theo's expression was unreadable. "We don't need a plan."

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Then what do you suggest?"

Theo met her gaze, and for the first time since hearing Elias's name, there was a flicker of something dangerous in his eyes.

"We end this."

---

Bennett Enterprises

Elias Bennett sat behind his massive mahogany desk, the city skyline stretching behind him.

The office was pristine.Neat. Perfect. Like him.

He was sipping his coffee when the door **slammed open.**

Elias didn't even flinch.

He simply smiled. "Ah. Theo."

Theo stood in the doorway, shoulders squared, rage radiating off him like a storm.

Evelyn followed close behind, heart pounding.

Kade? He had wisely chosen to stay behind.

Elias took another sip of his coffee before setting it down carefully. Then, he leaned back in his chair. "I was wondering when you'd figure it out."

Theo didn't speak.

Elias sighed. "I assume you've had quite the night."

Theo's fists clenched. "You've been playing me this entire time."

Elias tilted his head. "Playing you? Oh, Theo. I was doing more than that."

He stood up slowly, unbothered by Theo's fury.

"I was watching you. Guiding you. Every step you took? I made sure you took it."

Evelyn's stomach twisted.

Elias smiled, but it was cold. "And look at you now. Finally standing here. Finally looking at me like the enemy. Took you long enough."

Theo took a step closer. "Why?"

Elias chuckled. "You still don't get it?"

He took his time walking around the desk, stopping directly in front of Theo.

Then, he whispered,"Because you were always in my way ifu die the company will be completely under my name."

Theo's breath hitched.

Elias smirked. "You had a chance.. You wasted it in brother's so called love."

His eyes darkened. "So, I took it."

Evelyn could feel Theo's restraint snapping.

She placed a hand on his arm, whispering, "Theo."

But Elias?

He leaned in closer.

And with the most casual voice, he said,

"Oh. And Ethan? He never betrayed you. I made him do it. And soon this lady beside you might be mine ..take care brother"

Theo punched him.

Elias staggered back, blood dripping from his lip.

Then?

He laughed.

And that's when Evelyn knew—this wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

---

End of Chapter 42