The Plan That Changes Everything

Safe House

The dimly lit room was silent.

Evelyn sat on the worn-out couch, her mind racing. Across from her, Theo paced, his jaw clenched, hands stuffed in his pockets.

They had barely escaped Elias's trap.

But now?

They needed to finish this.

Theo exhaled sharply. "We need to take him down. Publicly. If we go at him in the shadows, he'll just slip away again."

Evelyn nodded. "Then we make it impossible for him to hide."

Theo stopped pacing, looking at her. "You have an idea."

She met his gaze. "We don't just expose him. We make him expose himself."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

Evelyn took a deep breath. "Elias trusts his own arrogance. He thinks he's untouchable, that no one can outsmart him. If we can get him to admit everything on record, in his own words—he won't be able to escape."

Theo frowned. "You think he'd be stupid enough to confess?"

A slow, knowing smile spread across Evelyn's lips. "Not if we ask him outright. But if he thinks he's winning? If he thinks he's in control?" She leaned forward. "He'll brag."

Theo's expression shifted—his mind clicking into place.

"Okay," he said. "How do we do it?"

Evelyn exhaled. "I get close to him. Make him trust me. Convince him I want to switch sides."

Theo's entire body tensed.

"No."

Evelyn blinked. "Theo—"

"I said no." His voice was firm, controlled—but she saw the flicker of something dangerous in his eyes. "Elias is unpredictable. If he even suspects you're lying—"

"He won't."

Theo laughed bitterly. "You don't know that."

Evelyn met his gaze, steady. "Yes, I do."

A stubborn silence stretched between them.

Theo finally exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair. "Even if this works, how do you plan to record him? He's too careful."

Evelyn's lips curved into a small smirk.

"I have a way."

Theo narrowed his eyes. "What?"

Evelyn reached into her bag and pulled out a small black velvet box.

She flicked it open, revealing a pair of simple yet elegant earrings.

Theo frowned. "I don't get it."

Evelyn picked one up and tapped the tiny gemstone at its center. "Hidden camera."

Theo stilled.

She continued, "It has an advanced mic, too. Crystal clear audio. Once I wear them, everything Elias says? It gets recorded."

Theo took a step closer, studying them. "Where did you get these?"

Evelyn shrugged. "Kade had them custom-made. He thought I might need them one day."

Theo's jaw clenched at Kade's name, but he didn't comment. Instead, he exhaled. "So… you get close to Elias. Get him to talk. And then?"

Evelyn straightened. "We take the recordings and expose him in front of the world."

Theo studied her, his eyes dark, unreadable.

Then, he shook his head.

"This is insane."

Evelyn smirked. "A little."

Theo dragged a hand down his face. "This could go wrong in so many ways."

Evelyn's gaze softened. "Theo… it's the best shot we have."

He was quiet for a long time.

Then, finally, he sighed. "If we do this…" He met her eyes. "I'm not letting you go in there alone."

Evelyn raised a brow. "You won't have a choice."

Theo smirked without humor. "Try me."

She sighed. "We'll need to plan every detail."

Theo exhaled. "Then let's get started."

---

Two Hours Later

The table was covered in notes. Blueprints, surveillance maps, possible escape routes.

Theo tapped a pen against the table. "Okay. Walk me through it one more time."

Evelyn nodded. "Step one: I reach out to Elias. Tell him I'm done running. That I'm willing to make a deal."

Theo's jaw tensed.

Evelyn ignored it. "Step two: Gain his trust. He'll test me. But if I play it right, he'll believe me."

Theo leaned forward. "And the earrings?"

Evelyn held up the small device. "Already programmed. Everything gets transmitted directly to a secure server."

Theo nodded. "So if something happens—"

"You'll have the evidence."

A beat of silence.

Theo exhaled. "And if he figures you out?"

Evelyn didn't hesitate. "Then I improvise."

Theo laughed, dry and sharp. "Right. Because that always works out."

Evelyn smirked. "You'd be surprised."

Theo shook his head. "You are going to be the death of me."

She winked. "Then at least it'll be an interesting way to go."

Theo stared at her. Long. Hard.

Then, quietly, he said, "Just… don't get caught."

Evelyn's smirk softened into something gentler. "I won't."

Theo exhaled, looking away. "I can't lose you too."

Evelyn's breath caught.

Her heartbeat skipped.

For a moment, she thought he might say more.

But instead, he pushed back his chair. "Let's finalize the details."

Evelyn exhaled, forcing herself to focus.

This had to work.

Because if it didn't…

They might not get another chance.

---

End of Chapter 44