Chapter 223


    Chapter 223


    *097%


    11:25


    +5


    “Ste?” The name escaped my lips in disbelief as | registered the familiar face standing before me, her expression seemingly


    pleasant.


    Her smile widened, disying perfect teeth. “Surprised, Evie?”


    My mind raced, attempting to process the sudden appearance of my coworker outside the office premises. Ste was friendly,


    but she seldom ventured outside the professional realm during work hours. Her sudden


    appearance in the middle of the street felt odd, almost surreal.


    “Ste, what are you doing here?” | stammered, trying topose myself.


    “| just happened to be in the neighborhood,” she replied casually, though her eyes flickered with an intensity that unnerved me.


    | nced around, noticing the passersby, but the street seemed oddly deserted. Unease settled in the pit of my stomach. “I need


    to get back to work,” | said, taking a step backward.


    “Evie,” Ste''s voice was gen


    which somehow increased my unease. “It’s a littlete to be working. | guess that promotion really set you up for some busy


    hours, huh?”


    | blinked rapidly. | didn’t think she’d be paying that much attention to any news surrounding my name. I''d already taken a piece of


    property from her as well as her ex-fiancé. | figured just seeing my face would disgust


    her, but she looked serene in the moment.


    “You heard about that,” | murmured, adjusting my purse over my shoulder.


    She smirked. “Who hasn’t? | suppose you''ve had enough practice by now. Good for you.”


    “Thank you?” | managed, my voice caught between astonishment and caution. | didn’t mean for it to sound like a question. “I


    hope things are going well for you, Ste.”


    There was a brief pause, and | caught the twitch in her eyebrow as she looked away. “Well enough. Of course, there’s no


    wedding to prepare for now, and the thousands of dors that I’ve spent have gone down the drain.”


    | winced, and she caught my reaction before | could shake it off. Instead of disying an offense, she waved it off. “Money


    means nothing to me, so that’s hardly anything to be concerned about. | won’t harass you about it


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    Chapter 223


    either.”


    There was a surprise. Oddly, her demure appearance and manner of speaking were causing me more unrest. Seeing her so


    calm and mature about the whole thing was more terrifying than satisfying, as if I''d missed a vital part of something.


    “Anyway,” she continued, stuffing her hands into her coat pocket and looking around. “I... | wanted to apologize also. For


    everything I’ve done.”


    | bit my lip, taking in her earnest expression. “O—Oh. Well, apology epted,” | murmured, ncing back. The office building


    was just a couple of feet away. “Thank you for that, but | should really get going.”


    Ste’s gaze was intense as she moved closer. “Wait, Evie. Please. | know things have been awful between us, but I''d like to


    move past all that.”


    | edged further away: “I promise you it’s fine, Ste. Trust me when | say you weren''t the most difficult person in my life.”


    Something darkened in her expression at those words. By then, I’d already decided that it was time to take my leave. As | turned


    away, however, | felt her hand grip my wrist.


    “Why are you in such a hurry?” she asked suddenly,ing up beside me. “I have a lot more to say to you.”


    | hesitated, uncertainty gnawing at me. Timothy—my heart skipped a beat at the thought of him. Ste and Timothy had a history,


    aplicated one. How could | exin his involvement in my life without irritating her already fragile state?


    “Oh, you know,” | stammered, choosing my words carefully, “I’m just getting picked up soon and don’t want to. keep them


    waiting.”


    Ste’s brows furrowed, a flicker of suspicion crossing her features. “It’s dangerous out there alone, especially while you’re


    waiting. Why don’t youe sit in my limo until then?”


    The offer took me by surprise. Ste Fitzgerald, once the epitome of ruthless power, was now extending an olive branch. |


    warred with myself, torn between distrust and curiosity..


    “|... | don’t think that’s necessary,” | replied, my voice faltering slightly. “I''ll be fine.”


    Ste’s eyes narrowed, a glint of determination sparking within them. “Evie, please. You don’t have to like me


    2/4


    Emergency calls only


    but trust me on this. It''s not safe.”


    +5Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    | swallowed hard, my mind racing. Ste’s concern felt genuine, yet | couldn’t shake off the apprehension. Being trapped in a


    vehicle with her felt too personal. “I appreciate your concern, but | really must go.”


    Ste noticed my unease, her eyes scanning the street outside. She gestured to the limo pulling up to the curb. The windows


    were too tinted for me to see the driver. “At least until he gets here. When he’s here, you can just hop right out after.”


    There was sincerity in her eyes, and right then | knew she’d figured out who | was waiting for. There wasn’t any malice in her


    words, however.


    he door open


    With a sigh, | followed her towards the sleek, ck limousine parked nearby. Ste held the gesturing for me to enter.


    Reluctantly, | slipped inside, the plush leather seats offering a strangefort. The door clicked shut behind me, enclosing us in


    a cocoon of silence.


    Ste settled across from me, her posture rigid yet poised. “Il must say, Evie, you look like you could use a drink,”


    Ste offered, her voice smooth andposed.


    | hesitated for a moment before epting the crystal ss she extended towards me. As | took a cautious sip, the familiar burn


    of whiskey trailed down my throat, offering a fleeting sense offort.


    Ste observed me closely, her eyes searching. “I''ll be honest, I’m actually d you took Timothy away.”


    Her unexpected admission caught me off guard. “What do you mean? Why would you be d?”


    Awistful smile graced her lips. “Because Timothy was never meant to be a part of my life, or yours for that matter. He was a


    complication, a distraction. And you, Evie, you took him away, freeing me from that entanglement.”


    Confusion swirled within me. Ste’s words seemed incongruous with the woman | once knew-a calcted and ruthless figure


    who yed the game of power with precision. Her sincerity was disarming, but | couldn’t shake off the underlying sense of


    foreboding.


    Before | could dwell on her words, a sudden rumble shook the limousine, the engine roaring to life. Panic surged through me as |


    realized we were moving, the world outside blurring past the tinted windows.


    Emergency calls only


    OR...


    * 097% C 11:25


    “What''s happening?” | demanded, my voice edged with urgency. | lunged towards the doors, frantically attempting to ope


    them, but they remained firmly lock”


    Ste watched me impassively, her expression unreadable. “I suggest you stay calm, Evie. There’s no use trying to escape.”


    My heart hammered against my ribs as fear threatened to overwhelm me. “Let me out! Why are you doing this?”


    Awave of dizziness washed over me, the room spinning as | struggled to keep my bearings. | clutched at the armrest, my vision


    blurring at the edges.


    “Enjoy the ride, Evie,” Ste’s voice echoed faintly in the haze that enveloped me. “You''ll feel better soon.”


    My protests dissolved into a distant murmur as darkness crept in, swallowing me whole.


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