The drive back to Sebastian Wolfe's mansion was quiet.
The city lights stretched across the windshield as his car moved smoothly through the late-night streets.
Traffic had thinned, and the world outside seemed calmer than it had earlier that evening.
Sebastian's mind replayed moments from the dinner.
Lillian's nervous smile when they arrived.
The way she tried to stay composed despite the attention.
The soft laugh she gave when he teased her.
And the blush that spread across her cheeks when he kissed her goodnight.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
He pulled into the long driveway of his mansion, the iron gates sliding closed behind him with a quiet mechanical hum.
The property was still, the surrounding gardens dimly lit by elegant outdoor lights.
The house itself stood tall and silent, its large windows dark.
Sebastian stepped out of the car, loosening his tie slightly as he walked toward the entrance.
The door unlocked with a soft click.
Inside, the mansion was exactly as he expected—quiet and empty.
The staff had long since retired for the night, leaving the space calm and undisturbed.
Sebastian set his keys down on the entry table and shrugged off his suit jacket.
He walked toward his office, rolling his shoulders slightly to release the tension of the day.
It had been a long one.
Dallas meetings.
The media attention.
Dinner with Lillian.
Despite everything, it had ended well.
He stepped into his office, the large room dim except for the soft glow of the city lights outside the tall windows.
From here, he could see the skyline stretching endlessly into the distance.
Sebastian poured himself a glass of water from the crystal decanter on his desk.
He had just taken a sip when his phone rang.
The sharp sound cut through the silence of the room.
Sebastian glanced down at the screen.
Unknown number.
He answered immediately.
"Wolfe."
A calm voice responded.
"Mr. Wolfe, this is Detective Ramirez from the Metropolitan Police Department."
Sebastian straightened slightly.
"Yes, Detective."
"I'm calling regarding Ethan Bennett ."
The name alone shifted the atmosphere in the room.
Sebastian's expression hardened slightly.
"Yes," he said quietly.
There was a brief pause on the line.
"I wanted to inform you that the investigation into the attack is officially complete," the detective continued.
"The district attorney has reviewed the evidence, and formal charges have been filed."
Sebastian leaned back in his chair.
"And?"
"Ethan Bennett has been charged with attempted murder."
The words hung in the air.
Sebastian remained silent for a moment, processing the information.
He had known it was coming.
The evidence had been clear.
But hearing the official charge made the situation real in a different way.
"When is the trial?" Sebastian asked calmly.
"We're still waiting on the court to finalize the exact date," Detective Ramirez replied.
"But preliminary hearings will likely begin within the next few weeks."
Sebastian's fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of his chair.
"I assume I'll need to testify."
"Yes," the detective confirmed.
"You'll likely be asked to appear in court and provide a statement regarding the attack."
Sebastian's gaze drifted toward the city lights outside the window.
The night felt quieter now.
More serious.
"I understand."
"There's another reason I wanted to call personally," the detective added.
Sebastian's attention sharpened.
"Go on."
"The case has already attracted some media attention," Ramirez said carefully.
"Once the trial begins, that attention will increase significantly."
Sebastian wasn't surprised.
The attempted murder of a high-profile CEO had always been a story the press would chase.
"I'm aware," he replied.
"There's a possibility reporters will begin digging deeper into your personal life," the detective continued.
"That includes the people close to you."
Sebastian's jaw tightened slightly.
Lillian.
The image of her laughing across the dinner table earlier that night crossed his mind.
"She's not involved in the case," Sebastian said firmly.
"I understand," the detective replied.
"But the media may not see it that way."
Sebastian stood from his chair and walked toward the large window overlooking the city.
"I'll handle the media," he said calmly.
"Of course," Ramirez replied.
"I just wanted you to be aware of what may be coming."
Sebastian nodded slightly, though the detective couldn't see it.
"Thank you for informing me."
"There's one more thing," the detective added.
Sebastian waited.
"During questioning earlier this week, Ethan asked about you."
Sebastian's expression didn't change.
"What did he say?"
"He asked if you were recovering well," Ramirez said.
A cold silence filled the room.
Sebastian's voice remained steady.
"And?"
"That was it. He didn't elaborate."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I see."
"We'll keep you updated as the case moves forward," the detective continued.
"You'll likely receive official documents from the court within the next few days."
"I'll be ready."
"Good night, Mr. Wolfe."
"Good night, Detective."
The call ended.
Sebastian lowered the phone slowly.
The quiet of the mansion returned, heavier now.
He set the phone down on the desk and stared out the window again.
Ethan Bennett .
The man who had nearly taken his life.
The trial would bring everything back into the spotlight again.
The attack.
The investigation.
The media coverage.
And if reporters were already watching him now…
They would certainly be watching him when the trial began.
Sebastian thought about the dinner earlier that night.
About Lillian.
Her nervousness when they arrived.
The way she trusted him to guide her through the attention.
He exhaled slowly.
The last thing he wanted was for her to be pulled into the chaos surrounding the trial.
But the detective was right.
The media rarely respected boundaries.
If they learned about Ethan…
And about Lillian…
Things could become complicated.
Sebastian picked up his phone again, glancing briefly at the screen.
For a moment, he considered sending her a message.
Just to make sure she had gotten upstairs safely.
But it was late.
She was probably already asleep.
Instead, he placed the phone back down.
His gaze returned to the city skyline stretching endlessly before him.
The lights glittered across the dark horizon.
Somewhere out there, reporters were already writing their stories.
Somewhere else, Ethan Bennett sat in a cell waiting for his day in court.
Sebastian's expression hardened.
"You won't hurt anyone again," he said quietly to the empty room.
The upcoming trial would settle everything.
And Sebastian Wolfe intended to make sure of it.