Chapter 55

Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed where Liam had slept last night. She inhaled deeply, catching the faint trace of his cologne on the sheets.

Memories of their intimate moments flooded her mind, making her cheeks flush.

For lunch, Evelyn made herself a quick bowl of ramen. The doorbell interrupted her meal.

Ryan stood at the doorway surrounded by floral arrangements. He handed her an envelope. "Afternoon, Mrs. Blackwood. The proceeds from the flower sale."

Evelyn examined the cash with surprise. "But there was a storm last night. How did they all sell?"

"General Blackwood had me distribute them at the military barracks," Ryan explained.

Recalling Liam's late-night call, Evelyn's lips curved into a smile as she accepted the money. "Thank you."

"General Blackwood also requested I drive you home today," Ryan added.

Evelyn froze.

Thoughts of Victoria made her reluctant to return to Blackwood Manor.

"Does Liam want me back at the estate?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes, Mrs. Blackwood. But the decision is yours. If you prefer, we can arrange alternative accommodations."

After a long pause, Evelyn declared, "We're going back - but not to Blackwood Manor."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Where then, ma'am?"

"The Blackwood Family Residence," Evelyn stated firmly.

If Liam was willing to try, so was she. She would win over his family's approval, no matter what it took.

Packing her belongings, Evelyn followed Ryan to the ancestral Blackwood home.

She braced herself for battle. For Liam, she wouldn't retreat again.

Entering the grand foyer, Evelyn expected disdain and criticism as before.

Instead, Cassandra - who had previously scorned her - greeted her with unsettling enthusiasm. The woman practically fawned over her.

"Are you staying with us, Evelyn dear?"

"Indeed, Cassandra. I hope we can coexist peacefully," Evelyn replied politely.

Cassandra only saw dollar signs. Now that she knew Evelyn was the renowned artist Isabella Grayson, her attitude had done a complete turnaround.

"No need for formalities! Winston, prepare Mrs. Blackwood's suite immediately!"

With a polite smile, Evelyn ascended the staircase with her luggage.

In a dimly lit storage room elsewhere, two shadowy figures conversed in hushed tones.

"Status report on the Foghunt?" a male voice demanded.

"Still in progress," a feminine voice responded.

"Three years of training and searching, and this is all you have to show?" The man's voice turned dangerous.

"Sir, Liam Blackwood is also searching. When he finds leads, I'll intercept them first."

"That woman you replaced was supposed to be some nobody. How did she become a famous artist?" he growled.

"It was... unexpected."

"Eliminate her if she becomes a problem."

"That's complicated now. She's Liam's wife."

A sharp slap echoed through the room. The woman stumbled but quickly righted herself.

"Pathetic! We invested heavily to steal that heiress's identity for you. Yet you left her alive, and now she's married to our target!"

"I'll dispose of her and marry Liam Blackwood as planned. Then I'll have access to Aldenria's classified-"

"That engineer was our only lead to identifying the target. Now we're searching blind," the man interrupted. "A needle in a goddamn haystack."

The woman bowed her head. "I won't fail you, sir. The mission will be completed."