Chapter 145

Evelyn crept back to her room on silent feet. Swiping her access card, she slipped through the door, forcing her expression into practiced calm.

"Well, look who decided to come back." The sardonic voice behind her made Evelyn freeze mid-step as she was closing the door.

"V-Victoria! You're awake?" Evelyn turned to find Victoria Sterling perched on the sofa in silk pajamas, arms crossed. The way her manager tapped her foot suggested she'd been waiting for hours. "Did I wake you? I just went to take out the trash and grab breakfast. Sorry for disturbing you." The rehearsed lie rolled off Evelyn's tongue effortlessly.

"Bravo! Do continue this fascinating performance." Victoria's dry chuckle held no amusement.

"What performance?" Evelyn blinked with exaggerated innocence before yawning dramatically. "I'm exhausted from waking up so early. Think I'll catch some more sleep."

She made to stride toward her bedroom, but Victoria moved like lightning. One bare foot shot out to block Evelyn's path. "You really think I'll let you slither away that easily?"

Evelyn offered a sheepish smile. "Slither? Now you're being dramatic. I just need rest."

"Not happening. Spill it - where were you gallivanting all night?" Victoria's tone turned prosecutorial, as if addressing a felon in the interrogation room.

Evelyn bit back a laugh at the phrasing. "Gallivanting? With whom exactly? You were snoring when I finished showering last night, and I went straight to bed. Just woke up earlier than you today. Your accusations are getting wild."

She attempted to sidestep Victoria, but her manager blocked her again. "I've been awake since 1 AM, Carter. Your bed was empty. If you supposedly slept, when exactly did you rise? Before 1 AM to take out trash that mysteriously took six hours?"

Evelyn's mouth went dry. She hadn't anticipated Victoria keeping vigil all night. 'She never mentioned waking up. Was she really waiting here the entire time?'

"You didn't... stay up all night, did you?" Evelyn leaned closer, noticing the purple shadows beneath Victoria's eyes. Guilt twisted in her stomach.

"Don't deflect! I waited up all night while your phone went straight to voicemail. I nearly filed a missing person report twenty minutes ago! You're not leaving this room until I get the truth." Victoria planted herself before the exit like an avenging angel.

"Fine." Evelyn collapsed onto the sofa with a sigh. After a theatrical pause, she offered, "I woke at 1 AM, took out the trash because I couldn't sleep, then went for a midnight jog. Got lost. Wandered for hours. Satisfied?" She peered up through her lashes, knowing the flimsy tale wouldn't survive scrutiny.

Victoria's glare could have melted steel. With another sigh, Evelyn surrendered. "Alright, I met a friend."

"A friend?" Victoria pounced. "What friend? This is your first time in Silverpine Valley. Friend from where? Male? Female? And why meet at such ungodly hours?"

Evelyn couldn't help laughing at the rapid-fire interrogation. "Vic, are you auditioning for detective roles? I'm sorry for worrying you, but some things are private, no?"

"This isn't about privacy." Victoria's voice softened unexpectedly. "You're my responsibility on this trip. We're in unfamiliar territory. If something happened to you, how would I face your family? The company? I need to know you're safe." The genuine concern in her eyes made Evelyn's defenses crumble.