CHAPTER 4 – Thirty Days of Lies
CHAPTER 4 – Thirty Days of Lies
Adrian closed his laptop with a sharp click.
"We end this now."
"No," Evelyn said firmly. "That's exactly what Marcus wants."
"If he thinks you're dead, every record disappears with you."
For the first time, Adrian let her lead.
The next morning, Marcus arrived at the mansion wearing his usual confident smile.
"You look pale, Mr. Vale."
Adrian, hidden once again beneath the old man's mask, chuckled weakly.
"Age catches all of us."
Marcus relaxed. The assassination attempt had clearly failed, but he believed Adrian knew nothing.
That evening, Evelyn announced a family celebration.
"I have wonderful news," she told her parents over the phone. "Mr. Vale is ready to release the remaining twenty million."
Her father's laughter echoed through the speaker.
"I knew marrying you off would pay dividends."
The words no longer hurt.
They simply confirmed everything.
Over the next three days, Marcus forged additional contracts, moved money through shell companies, and pressured board members into signing false statements. Every conversation, every email, every transfer was quietly captured by Adrian's team.
During those tense days, something unexpected changed.
Every morning, Adrian left a fresh cup of coffee outside Evelyn's study before she woke.
Every evening, she quietly reminded him to remove the heavy silicone mask before the adhesive irritated his skin.
Neither mentioned it.
Neither thanked the other.
One rainy night, the mansion suddenly lost power.
They found themselves sitting in the kitchen, illuminated only by candlelight.
"It feels strange," Adrian admitted.
"What does?"
"Planning a future after revenge."
Evelyn smiled faintly.
"Maybe that's because revenge was never supposed to become your future."
He looked at her for a long moment.
"I came here to destroy your family."
A pause.
"I didn't expect to meet someone worth protecting."
Her heartbeat quickened.
She looked away, hiding the smile that almost appeared.
"Good," she whispered.
"Because I didn't expect to trust you either."
Before either of them could say another word, Adrian's phone buzzed.
The message came from federal investigators.
THE WARRANTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
Tomorrow night...
Everything would end.
The ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers as Evelyn's family celebrated what they believed was their greatest victory.
Marcus raised a champagne glass.
"To the Carter empire!"
Across the room, Adrian slowly stood.
Then...
He reached for his jaw.
Marcus frowned.
"What are you doing?"
Without a word...
Adrian peeled away the old man's face.
The silicone mask fell onto the marble floor.
Silence consumed the ballroom.
"My name," he said calmly,
May you like
"is Adrian Cross."
END OF CHAPTER 4
