Chapter 96

Evelyn's brow creased in concern. "What's wrong with him?"

Adrian looked equally confused. "No idea, but he's probably swamped with work."

With a quiet thanks, Evelyn shut the door behind Adrian.

Ryan had delivered her lunch earlier, while Adrian brought dinner.

"Madam," Adrian had said, "General Blackwood won't be returning tonight. He instructed you to rest early."

The news left Evelyn speechless.

By noon the next day, Evelyn had exhausted all reading material in her quarters.

Boredom gnawed at her. She considered visiting Liam but hesitated to interrupt his work. The research building seemed like a better alternative.

As she debated, a sharp knock startled her.

Another of Liam's assistants, no doubt.

Evelyn rushed to open the door, finding an unfamiliar officer standing at attention.

"Good afternoon, Madam," the stranger greeted.

Only Aldenrian military personnel had dormitory access.

Evelyn nodded cautiously.

"General Blackwood requested I escort you to Building Seven," the officer explained. "He wishes to discuss something important."

"Building Seven?" Evelyn's fingers tightened on the doorframe.

"Headquarters for our cybersecurity division," came the crisp reply.

Cybersecurity?

After a brief hesitation, Evelyn grabbed her jacket and followed the officer.

As they exited the dorms, two guards snapped to attention. "Lieutenant Commander!"

The officer nodded. "At ease. I'm escorting Madam to Building Seven. No need for backup - it's just across the quad."

"Yes, sir!" The guards chorused.

Evelyn relaxed slightly at the confirmation of his rank. Any lingering doubts evaporated as they walked.

But the path grew increasingly isolated. The trees thickened into dense woods, the paved walkway narrowing to a dirt trail.

Evelyn stopped dead.

The lieutenant commander turned. "Problem, Madam?"

Alarm bells rang in Evelyn's mind. She knew Building Six's location - Building Seven should be adjacent.

Why were they heading toward the forest?

Ignoring his question, she fumbled for her phone, fingers trembling as she dialed Liam.

She took three shaky steps backward.

Liam answered instantly. "Evelyn? What's wrong?"

"Did you send someone for me?" she whispered urgently.

His voice turned razor-sharp. "Negative. Give me your location."

Evelyn scanned the clearing. "There's an old storage shed here with red markings-"

The phone was ripped from her grasp.

Evelyn spun and sprinted toward the tree line.

"You disappoint me, Evelyn Carter," the officer sneered. "Did you truly believe you could escape your duty to Obsidian Circle?"

Evelyn froze mid-step, blood turning to ice. Slowly, she turned to face him.

The man's lips curled into a predatory smile but he made no move to chase her. The distance between them felt like the only safety.

"Years of training," he hissed, "countless resources expended to place you beside Liam Blackwood. Your mission was simple - uncover Cassandra Wright's location and secure the hydronium formula."

Evelyn's breath came in shallow gasps.

"Instead," his voice dropped to a venomous whisper, "you betrayed us. Not only failed your mission, but fell for that bastard general."

Evelyn's hands trembled violently. "I-I'm part of Obsidian Circle?"