Chapter 267

Julian gave a curt nod, his expression unreadable.

Evelyn's bodyguard clenched his fists involuntarily, jaw tightening with barely contained tension.

At dawn's first light, Liam departed the estate with purposeful strides, his schedule packed with urgent matters.

The vibration of an unknown caller ID made Evelyn's phone buzz insistently.

"Ms. Carter? This is Archibald Hoffis's personal assistant. The elder Mr. Wright requests your presence at his office immediately. We've arranged transportation."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Archibald Wright wishes to see me personally?"

"Indeed. A car will be sent to your location within the hour."

Security protocols kicked in. "Just send the address. I'll arrange my own transport." Her fingers tightened around the phone.

"The coordinates will be texted to you momentarily."

Within minutes, Evelyn was en route with two armored SUVs flanking her vehicle, bodyguards scanning the surroundings.

The convoy merged onto the interstate, sunlight glinting off tinted windows.

Evelyn's mind raced - this summons couldn't be trivial. Archibald never met anyone without cause.

"Ma'am," the lead security agent turned, "should we alert Mr. Blackwood about this meeting?"

She hesitated only a second. "Yes. He should be informed." Her thumb hovered over Liam's contact.

Suddenly the driver's voice turned sharp. "Two hostile vehicles on our six since the last exit. Not standard surveillance protocol."

Evelyn whipped around. The pursuing cars were closing distance aggressively, engines roaring.

"Brace!" The driver slammed the accelerator as metal screeched behind them.

The sudden lurch sent Evelyn's phone skittering across the leather seats. Her vision blurred momentarily from the G-force as their armored vehicle became a bullet on asphalt.

Danger crystallized in her mind. Two bodyguards were insufficient against this orchestrated attack.

One agent already had his satellite phone to his ear when the world exploded.

"Mr. Blackwood, we're under—"

The warning died as a tanker truck swerved into their lane.

Impact.

Evelyn's body became a ragdoll against seatbelts. White-hot pain radiated through her limbs as the world inverted.

Through the haze of semi-consciousness, she registered the deafening boom of igniting fuel, the acrid smell of burning metal.

Then... nothing.

"Wake up, Cassandra."

Evelyn blinked against soft light to see a woman with kind eyes smiling down at her.

"Five more minutes, Mother," she murmured, snuggling deeper into plush blankets.

"Let the child sleep," came a warm baritone. "Being late won't end the world."

She sat up rubbing her eyes, grinning at the distinguished gentleman. "Father spoils me rotten."

"Only fifty days leave this time?" he asked with mock severity.

Evelyn pouted. "The project would collapse without me."

"What exactly is this mysterious project?" her mother prodded.

"That's classified." She winked.

"Not even for your parents?"

"Especially not for my parents."

Her father ruffled her hair affectionately. "Go wash up. We'll drive you to the airfield."

Thirty minutes later, Evelyn emerged arm-in-arm with her mother when Julian materialized at the driveway. "Allow me to escort Cassandra."

She shook her head. "Uncle, you're much too busy."

Julian ignored the protest, sliding into the driver's seat. "Nonsense. It's my privilege."

The car hummed with pleasant family chatter, none noticing when the GPS route quietly diverted from its programmed destination.