Evelyn stared at her hands for a moment, trying to organize the storm of thoughts in her mind.
If it wasn't him… then who?
"Don't flatter yourself," Silas added casually. "What happened out there was just self-defense."
Evelyn rolled her eyes.
"Or maybe you were planning to bribe me so I'd back off your case."
A slow smirk spread across Silas's face.
"I don't have a problem with you investigating me," he said calmly. "In fact, I'm curious."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I'd like to see how far you can go… before I decide to cut the string."
Evelyn's mind flashed briefly to the NDA she had signed with Adam before his death.
So he knows more than he's letting on…
She lifted her gaze and met Silas's eyes.
"You have something that belongs to me," she said quietly.
There was a short pause.
"We'll talk about that another day."
Silas didn't reply immediately. He simply watched her, his expression unreadable, as if measuring every move she made.
For the first time that night, Evelyn realized something unsettling.
This wasn't just a case anymore.
It was a game.
And Silas Montclair had been playing it far longer than she had.
******
A few minutes passed in silence.
The room felt colder than before. The faint light from the desk lamp barely reached the corners, leaving shadows clinging to the walls.
Silas was the first to break the silence.
"What is it," he said calmly, his gaze fixed on her, "that I'm holding that belongs to you?"
He turned a lighter slowly between his fingers. The soft cling of the metal echoed in the quiet room.
Evelyn lifted her head.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why do you have a gun?"
The small metallic sound stopped.
Silas looked up and smiled faintly.
"Because I'm not a reckless cop."
Evelyn bit her lip, studying him carefully.
"I know you're hiding something," she said quietly. "And I swear I'll find out what it is."
Silas nodded slowly, his eyes dropping back to the lighter resting in his palm.
"I'll watch you try," he said with a small smile. "Just don't get yourself into trouble again. I won't be your savior next time."
Evelyn lifted her chin.
"Why did you save me anyway? You could have just let me die."
Silas didn't answer.
He simply kept staring at the lighter as if it held something far more interesting than the conversation.
The silence stretched again.
Evelyn finally looked away, crossing one leg over the other. She pulled the coat tighter around her shoulders, clinging to the warmth.
"Forget it," she muttered, irritation creeping into her voice. "It's useless."
Silas stood up without a word.
His white trousers were lightly stained with dust from earlier as he walked across the room toward the row of candles resting along the wall.
He flipped open the lighter.
Click.
A small flame appeared.
One by one, he lit the candles.
Soft golden light slowly spread through the room, pushing the shadows away.
When he finished, he walked back toward her.
Then he crouched slightly in front of her chair.
A faint smirk crept across his lips.
"Let's just say…" he murmured quietly, "I don't like my entertainment leaving the stage too quickly."
His eyes met hers.
"I prefer to watch the struggle first."
Then he stood again and returned to his chair.
The candlelight flickered gently, casting warm reflections across Evelyn's face.
She stared at him for a moment… then looked away.
"I never asked you to save me."
Silas nodded casually.
"And paint my private road red?" he replied. "No. That would be messy."
He leaned back slightly.
"I avoid unnecessary filth."
Evelyn sucked her teeth in annoyance.
Then she leaned forward, resting her forehead on her arm, her elbow balanced on her knee.
Her breathing had finally begun to calm.
The shock of the attack was slowly fading.
Just then, the door opened.
A police officer stepped inside.
"How are you doing, Miss Evelyn?"
She lifted her head and nodded.
"I'm okay."
The officer glanced briefly at Silas.
Seeing him completely calm and untouched, he didn't bother asking him the same question.
Instead, he cleared his throat.
"The culprits… they're awake now."
Evelyn stood up immediately, gripping the coat tighter around herself.
"What did they say?"
Silas's eyes dropped slowly to the officer's boots, studying them with quiet amusement. The officer shifted slightly under the stare.
"They said…" the officer began carefully.
"They said they were sent to kill you."
Silas scoffed softly, snapping the lighter shut with a sharp click.
"Amateurs."
The officer swallowed and continued.
"By someone."
Evelyn took a slow step forward, worry beginning to show on her face.
"Who?" she asked.
The officer hesitated.
And the room suddenly felt very quiet.
-------
Evelyn walked behind the cop, her chest tight with a mix of fear and exhaustion. The thought that someone was hunting her made every shadow seem alive. Silas trailed a few steps behind, his presence unnervingly calm, the faint click of his shoes against the marble floor echoing through the corridor.
The cop led them past the two attackers, now slumped on the bed, trembling, masks discarded. Evelyn's pulse thudded as she stepped closer, voice steady despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins.
"Tell me… who sent you?" Her gaze was sharp, unwavering. "You can trust me."
Their eyes flicked to each other, and then down.
"We… we can't. He's too dangerous," one stammered. "He'll kill us if we tell."
Evelyn exhaled slowly, stepping back, pressing her forehead against the cold windowpane. Darkness had swallowed the city—8:29 p.m.—and hunger gnawed at her stomach.
The attackers were escorted to the station cell, mumbling apologies and pleas. Evelyn stayed by the window a moment longer, letting the weight of the night settle on her shoulders.
A young officer approached, his voice low. "Miss Evelyn… it's not safe to go home tonight. Someone's watching."
Her shoulders slumped. "Then where do I go?"
Silas glanced at her, sharp eyes unreadable, then looked away.
The officer swallowed. "Same goes for you, Mr. Montclair."
Silas smirked, infuriatingly relaxed. "I'm fine. I'll go home."
Evelyn's eyes lingered on him, silent, almost pleading. "I… I'll be calmer with the case if you stay."
A faint chuckle rumbled from Silas. "Is that supposed to be a threat?"