Chapter 6 The Mask: A Dangerous Game Of Identity
Clara Sinclair's face had turned ashen by now. Just then, Liam Hayes approached Finn MacLeod and Skylar Hall, explaining, "Mr. MacLeod, there's no need to involve the police. This is clearly a frame-up against Miss Hall by someone with ill intentions. I'll thoroughly investigate this matter and apologize to you and Secretary Hall on Clara's behalf."
Skylar looked at his humble demeanor, feeling even more disappointed. It seemed that regardless of whether Clara Sinclair was despicable or kind, intelligent or foolish, he would unconditionally protect her.
Finn MacLeod didn't immediately respond to Liam Hayes. Instead, he turned to the security guard who had been used as a pawn by Clara and said coldly, "As a security guard, you proposed a body search—a illegal demand that violates human rights. I won't delve deeper into this, but you should go to the security department and resign on your own."
The security guard grimaced but didn't dare to utter a word of complaint, nodding repeatedly. For him, this was already the best possible outcome.
Only then did Finn turn to Liam and say calmly, "For Mr. Hayes' sake, I'll let this go this time. But if anyone bullies my people again, things won't be so simple."
With that, he took hold of Evelyn Ross's wrist and turned to leave. The phrase "my people" made Evelyn's heart skip a beat. How could she deserve such help from Finn MacLeod, having only met him once? She thought he was truly a good person!
Liam Hayes watched them leave until their figures disappeared around the corner.
"How could Finn MacLeod take a liking to that woman!" Clara gritted her teeth.
"Enough!" Liam suddenly stopped and looked at her impatiently. "I don't want this to happen again."
"Liam, how can you say that? Do you think I'm deliberately framing her? Why would I do that!" Clara asked innocently, her eyes instantly welling up with tears.
"I didn't say you framed her," he paused. "If you were really that kind of person, would I still be standing here talking to you?"
Clara shuddered.
After saying that, Liam patted her on the shoulder and walked ahead alone. Over the past three years, any woman who had gotten even slightly close to him had somehow alienated him, and some had even disappeared without a trace. He had heard rumors that Clara had driven them away by underhanded means, but he hadn't believed it before because Clara had always been gentle in front of him, unable to step on even a single ant. But after the scene just now, he had to reconsider the rumors about Clara.
Watching Liam's retreating back, Clara suddenly felt uneasy. She knew Liam had never loved her. Back then, he had started dating her because he was grateful that she had donated a kidney to his sister. But this was the first time he had lost his temper with her over another woman. Could Liam also have taken a fancy to that reporter?
No matter whether that woman was a reporter or Finn's secretary, anyone who tried to seduce Liam would meet their end. After all, she had already eliminated more than one such "fox spirit" and didn't mind adding one more. With these thoughts, Clara clenched her fists, her eyes filled with more viciousness.
Evelyn Ross followed Finn MacLeod through the corridor, her mind a chaotic mess replaying the events of earlier. It wasn't until they turned the corner that she realized Finn still hadn't let go of her hand. His palms were large, dry, and warm, exuding a sense of stability, but this intimate gesture made Evelyn uncomfortable. She resisted such physical contact with strange men.
Evelyn stopped in her tracks. "Thank you, Mr. MacLeod, for coming to my aid earlier. I won't disturb you any longer and will head back now." As she spoke, she subtly withdrew her hand.
Finn MacLeod nodded slightly. "Remember to report to my office tomorrow, Secretary Hall."
"Huh? You didn't say that to relieve yourself?"
"Are you asking me to take back my words?"
So he was concerned about face? But was it too hasty to appoint her as his secretary just to save face?
"I don't want you to take back your words, but I..."
"I happen to need a secretary. You're calm and composed, which makes you suitable. Of course, you can refuse. I'll give you a day to consider. Call me when you've decided." With that, he took a business card from his wallet, slipped it into Evelyn's coat pocket, and turned to leave.
For now, Finn MacLeod didn't know why she had that necklace or her true purpose. Keeping her close was the safest option.
Evelyn stood there, stunned, for a moment. After processing his words, she immediately chased after him.
"Mr. MacLeod, I've decided."
The corner of Finn's mouth twitched as he waited for her to continue.
Evelyn bit her lip. "Thank you for your kindness, but I'm not suitable to be a secretary. I'm truly sorry." She quickly bowed to Finn and then ran off.
Finn MacLeod watched the woman's retreating back, the smile on his lips vanishing instantly, replaced by a cold, somber expression.
His assistant David couldn't help but remark, "CEO, is this the first woman to refuse you?"
Finn shot him a sharp glance, and David sucked in a breath. "My mistake, I'll shut up."
"Investigate her background and bring me the information as soon as possible."
"Yes, CEO!"
That night, Evelyn Rose returned to the small, ten-square-meter apartment she had rented and removed her makeup, revealing delicate, pale features. She gently stroked her cheeks as a wave of melancholy surged through her.
Heaven was truly fair: it had given her good looks but also a weak heart. She could feel her beating heart growing weaker by the day, and those medications seemed to be losing their effectiveness. Earlier that afternoon, the hospital had called, urging her to schedule surgery as soon as possible.
Evelyn calculated her monthly salary. After daily expenses, how long would it take to save up the hundreds of thousands of dollars for the surgery? She sighed, thinking she should have accepted Finn MacLeod's offer to be his secretary—it would surely pay better than her current job.
But her regret was short-lived. Evelyn quickly dismissed the idea. Her life was peaceful now, and becoming Finn's secretary would expose her identity as Evelyn Ross. After all, Finn moved in high society, and being by his side would inevitably bring her into contact with members of the Sinclair family. She didn't want to get involved in any more troubles, especially not with Liam Hayes.
Evelyn thought of Dylan again. If she asked him for help, his kindness would surely make him willing to assist, but they had lost touch after she left him that year. The last time Dylan had contacted her was two years ago, saying he had some matters to attend to and needed to disappear for a while, unable to communicate with her during that time. Since then, she hadn't seen or heard from him. Where was he now? Was he doing okay?
With another sigh, Evelyn knew the only thing she could do now was protect her heart from any further stress until she saved enough for the surgery.
Two days later, in the CEO's office of MacLeod's Group.
Assistant David presented Finn MacLeod with all the information they had dug up on the reporter Skylar Hall. Looking at the photo on the press pass—a delicate, fair-skinned girl—Finn frowned slightly.
"Is this definitely her?"
"Yes, CEO. I was surprised at first too, but I'm certain this is Skylar Hall. She was wearing makeup when she came to interview at the awards ceremony."
Why would such a beautiful woman deliberately hide her looks with makeup? What was she afraid of?
Could she be the girl from the cruise ship? But Skylar Hall's name hadn't appeared on the list of attendees that day.
Finn quickly skimmed through the rest of the documents, tapping her fingers on the desktop and falling into deep thought. She had studied overseas, was born in Ruicheng over a thousand kilometers away, joined Starburst Media during college, and was a foreign correspondent for many years ...... Everything in her file seemed detailed and unbroken.
But one thing aroused Finn's suspicion: there were no photos of her from primary or high school.
"Why are there no photos of her from middle school?" Finn asked, frowning at his assistant.
David frowned too. "I noticed that too. When I interviewed her former middle school teachers, they didn't know why—the photos seemed to have been removed."
Finn's fingers tapped the edge of the desk. Her deliberate concealment of her appearance and the missing photos from her school years made him more certain that this woman was hiding something.
He stopped tapping and said to his assistant, "Bring her to see me tonight."