Chapter 311

The opulent halls of the Fitzgerald mansion echoed with the dwindling sounds of the party, the grandeur now tainted by the presence of death. Determined to find Timothy amidst the labyrinthine corridors, I called out his name.

"Timothy!" I called again, pushing through pockets of people spread throughout each room.

A faint reply reached my ears and I felt a hint of relief. Following the sound, my footsteps led me to a door down the hall.

With a deep breath, I pushed the door open, revealing a scene that unfolded in the blink of an eye. Andy, caught in the act, hastily passed something into Timothy's hands. The exchange, veiled in secrecy, made me pause in the threshold.

"What's going on?" I demanded, my eyes narrowing as I caught the tail end of the interaction.

Timothy, playing it casual, shrugged nonchalantly. "We were just done discussing things."

Andy, a silent observer with guarded eyes, watched with a sneer. Sensing an undercurrent of tension, I felt the weight of unanswered questions lingering in the room.

"Are you two alright?"

Timothy, meeting my gaze, chose his words carefully. "Just family matters, Evie. Nothing for you to worry about."

The room hung in a charged silence. My instincts told me there was more to the story, and the unsettling feeling lingered as Timothy escorted me out, leaving the door ajar behind him.

As we stepped back into the grandeur of the mansion, I noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The party, once vibrant and exuberant, began to wane, guests dispersing into the night. I was able to spot a few familiar faces amongst the crowd, namely the Fitzgeralds.

Mr. Fitzgerald, seemingly composed, moved through the crowd with an air of confidence. His wife, on the other hand, appeared on edge, her eyes darting nervously from Timothy to the surrounding guests. The disgust etched on her face painted a portrait of unresolved tensions that lingered within the family's walls.

Unable to resist the pull of curiosity, I discreetly observed the Fitzgeralds from a distance. Mrs. Fitzgerald, a mask of composure slipping under the weight of disdain, exchanged words with some guests while keeping a watchful eye on Timothy.

“She’s just going to watch me all night,” Timothy murmured into my ear. With my hand on his arm, I could feel how tense he was, and his earlier conversation with Andy came to mind.

"Tim, are you sure you’re alright?" I asked, my gaze searching his eyes.

He offered a half-smile, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "I'm fine. You know how my brother is."

My concern deepened, but before I could press further, Timothy shifted gears, his tone becoming lighter. "Hey, forget about all that for now. We're here to unwind. How about we get some food?"

The attempt to divert my attention worked momentarily, and I couldn't help but smile at his charming distraction. "Sure. I guess I’m a little hungry.”

As we perused the table of various finger foods, I felt the residual tension ease, replaced by the comforting familiarity of his presence. As we made our plates, Timothy's playful banter and flirtatious demeanor worked for a while.

I took a deep breath, seizing the opportunity to share a piece of my own findings. "So, I ran into Scarlett earlier."

Timothy looked up, genuine interest flickering in his eyes. "Really? How did that go?"

I smiled, a mixture of relief and contentment flooding through me. "Surprisingly well, actually. We had a heart-to-heart, and I think we've made amends, or at least started to. Scarlett may need some time, but I believe she's willing to trust us again."

Timothy's eyes softened with a genuine warmth. "That's great, Evie. I'm glad you two could find some common ground.”

"I just can't believe he had the audacity to show his face here. After what he did."

We both turned to see Mrs. Fitzgerald just a few feet away, speaking with a group of guests as her face twisted in disgust at Timothy. Mr. Fitzgerald, standing nearby, maintained a façade of nonchalance.

"Darling, let's not make a scene. We'll deal with this matter discreetly,” he said, taking her arm.

I wondered how exactly he planned on “dealing” with the matter, given his track record. That only left me more intrigued by them. They’d already proven themselves not to be trusted.

But Mrs. Fitzgerald, her composure slipping further, shot back, "Discreetly? While that scoundrel walks around here like he owns the place? Ridiculous!"

Top of Form

Timothy started to pull me away, and I was eager to follow and get away from the spectacle. No sooner did we find ourselves face to face with my mom, who’d stopped right in front of us.

"Well, how was my hosting, darling?" Mia asked, a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes as she looked at me and ignored Timothy’s presence.

I took a deep breath, attempting to relax, and offered a genuine smile. "Everything was wonderful, Mom. You really know how to throw a party."

Mia's grin widened, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I'm glad to hear that. I've made quite an impression on Kamran's social circle, you know. Soon enough, you and me will be fully integrated into the family."

The implications of her words unsettled me. "Integrated into the family? What does that even mean?" I asked, my voice carrying a tinge of apprehension.

Mia chuckled, a sound that held both amusement and a veiled threat. "Oh, Evie dear, it means exactly what it sounds like. You'll understand soon enough."

Before I could respond, Timothy interjected, a sense of urgency in his tone. "We should get going, Evie. I need to take you home."

I felt a surge of relief at his intervention, thankful for an excuse to escape the unsettling exchange. As Timothy guided me away, I caught a glimpse of Mia's expression shifting. Anger flickered in her eyes, a reaction that left me with a sense of unease.

"Evie, darling, can't you stay a bit longer?" she implored, suddenly rushing toward us. "I miss spending time with you. It's been so long."

I hesitated, glancing at Timothy. "Mom, we really need to get going. It's late, and Timothy has to drive."

Mia's expression shifted slightly, a hint of offense flashing in her eyes. She turned her gaze toward Timothy, a glare that carried a silent accusation. "You're always taking her away from me, Timothy. Can't you see how much I want to be with my daughter?"

Timothy, unfazed by her words, maintained a calm demeanor. "Mia, we appreciate your hospitality, but we really need to head home. It's been a long night, but we’ll definitely come by again."

Despite Mia's lingering disappointment, I stepped forward, offering her a reassuring smile. "We'll have plenty of time to spend together, Mom. I promise. We just have some things to sort out tonight."

Mia's expression softened as she pulled me into a tight embrace. "Alright, darling. Drive safe, both of you. And let's plan something soon."

Timothy nodded, offering a polite smile. "Absolutely, Mia. Thanks for tonight."

As we made our way to the exit, her eyes followed us, a mix of emotions playing on her face. The door chimed as we stepped into the cool night air, leaving behind the warmth of the home.

In the relative quiet of Timothy's car, I couldn't shake off the disquiet that had settled within me. "What was that all about? Why the rush?" I asked. “Not that I wasn’t ready to leave, but you seem a little on edge.”

Timothy sighed, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "I think things just got a little more complicated for us."

I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Timothy reached into the glove compartment and pulled out a small, cold object—a gun. My breath caught in my throat, and I stared at it, the cold steel gleaming in the moonlight.

"This is going to be an issue," he said.