SEAN’S POV

The vibration of my phone drew my attention. I glanced at the screen, and the corners of my lips tugged upward despite myself—it was Ethan. His message was short, almost casual: Progress in Cambray’s case.

Progress. Just that single word made my pulse quicken. I had been waiting for this. My thumbs hovered over the keyboard as I considered my reply. With Evelyn seated right next to me, her presence warm and distracting, I had to keep my expression neutral. I didn’t want her to suspect that this message mattered to me more than it should.

I typed quickly: We’ll talk when I get back. Come to the company. Face to face.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket before she could notice, but I could feel the faint tug of curiosity in her glance. Evelyn was observant—too observant, at times. That was part of what made her stand out.

The rest of the ride was quiet until her phone rang. I watched her as she answered, her brows furrowing, her lips parting in surprise. She whispered something to the doctor, then hung up, her face pale with disbelief.

I leaned back, amused despite myself. “What’s wrong?”

She hesitated, biting her lip, clearly unsure whether to tell me. That hesitation itself was charming—she wanted to be honest but feared appearing weak. When she finally admitted it was a call from the hospital, I raised a brow.

“They received the transfer?” I asked casually, as though I wasn’t the one who had arranged it.

Her head snapped up, her eyes wide. “You transferred the money?”

I met her gaze directly, not hiding the truth. “You got drunk last night,” I said simply. “You told me about your mother’s surgery, how desperate you were. I couldn’t just ignore it. And besides…” I allowed a faint smile, the kind that disarmed people, “we’re friends now. You’ve already done a lot for me. If it weren’t for your quick thinking during the contract signing, the company would have paid far more. So consider it an advance salary.”

She flushed, her gratitude obvious even though she tried to mask it with composure. I could almost see the battle within her—the instinct to guard herself, and the undeniable pull of my sincerity. She whispered a soft “thank you,” her voice cracking slightly.

I should have been satisfied. This was exactly what I wanted: her trust. Her gratitude meant she would lower her walls, let me in, and perhaps reveal things that could be useful to me later. Yet, strangely, I wasn’t as triumphant as I expected. Watching the way her eyes softened, filled with warmth, I felt something tug inside me—something dangerously close to guilt.

But I couldn’t afford guilt. My actions were calculated. Every move had a purpose. I reminded myself of that as we arrived back at the firm.

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Once in the office, I allowed myself a brief detour. Through the glass panels, I caught sight of Evelyn at her desk, hunched over paperwork. Her focus was sharp, her pen moving quickly as though she had something to prove. She didn’t waste time gossiping with colleagues or checking her phone every few minutes like other interns. She was… different. That realization unsettled me.

Shaking off the thought, I returned to my office, where Ethan arrived not long after. He closed the door behind him, and I greeted him with a smile, though my chest was already tight with anticipation.

“Well?” I asked.

He wasted no time. “This case traces back twenty years. Your grandfather and NexaCore worked together on a real estate project. There were two people in charge—one from your grandfather’s company, and one from NexaCore. The man from your grandfather’s side ended up dead.”

My jaw tightened. I knew fragments of this story, but hearing it spelled out made it heavier.

Ethan continued, his tone grave. “Apparently, Sebastian from NexaCore had an argument with him. At the construction site, no cameras, no witnesses. Sebastian hit him with a metallic rod and pushed him off the building. He staged it as an accident. After the project wrapped up, he resigned and disappeared.”

I clenched my fists. “And now?”

“Now,” Ethan said slowly, “he’s back. He got drunk, started talking, and someone overheard. The police arrested him. But here’s the problem—he claims your grandfather ordered it.”

My heart thudded. “That’s impossible.”

“That’s what he said,” Ethan pressed. “According to Sebastian, the victim knew dark secrets about your grandfather. To silence him, your grandfather gave the order.”

The words made my stomach twist. My grandfather? The man who had raised me with discipline, with stories of honor and hard work? The man I had always looked up to? I couldn’t believe it. I refused to.

I shot Ethan a sharp look. “Since Sebastian worked for NexaCore, why isn’t their boss under suspicion? Why jump to blaming my grandfather?”

Ethan sighed. “Because Sebastian is the only living witness. The police don’t have evidence against NexaCore, but they have his testimony. And if he stands by it, the police will have no choice but to summon your grandfather for questioning.”

I cursed under my breath, pacing the length of my office. It felt like the walls were closing in. My grandfather, dragged into court like a criminal? It was unthinkable. And yet, with Sebastian’s words alone, the police could build a case.

No. I couldn’t let it happen.

I turned sharply to Ethan. “Take care of my grandfather. Keep him safe. And if there’s any progress, any change, you tell me immediately.”

He nodded. “Of course.”

But even after he left, my mind wouldn’t rest. Doubt gnawed at me, as much as I hated to admit it. What if Sebastian’s story wasn’t entirely false? What if there was something my grandfather had never told me?

No. I clenched my jaw. I wouldn’t believe it. Not until I had proof.

And proof… proof could only come from one place.

I glanced through the glass again at Evelyn, still at her desk, still working tirelessly. She didn’t know it, but she was tied to all this more than she realized. The Cambray name wasn’t a coincidence. The case and her family were connected somehow—I could feel it.

I swore silently: I would verify everything with her. She might hold answers even she wasn’t aware of. And until I uncovered the truth, I couldn’t rest.