Fifteen years later.
The city shimmered brightly under the darknight.
Tall skyscrapers pierced the sky with windows blazing white and gold against the darkness
It was the seat of authority.
Where deals were negotiated and sealed.
Where empires rose and fell.
That night in the Blackwood Grand Hotel the big names in the city gathered
Eva stood at the ballroom entrance carrying a silver tray in her hands.
"Table six," her boss firmly stated. "And look cheerful."
Eva forced a smile on her face.
She hated such times.
many wealthy people were there.
And too many cameras.
There were too many guys who looked like the ones that gave her nightmares.
Only that the hotel paid her well.
She really needed the money.
Margaret has fallen sick for some months.
And the cost of her treatment was increasing.
This made Eva to work..
morning duty.
tasks to be done all through the night.
Anyone she was able to lay her hands on.
"Eva!" growled a second waiter. You're looking again.
Her eyes darted.
People were gathering at the entrance across the ballroom.
The room echoed with murmuring.
He's here. "Cole, Adrian?"
"I heard he bought three businesses this month."
"They believe he is more of a threat than the Laurents."
Eva stood still.
The tray nearly fell out of her hands.
Cole Adrian.
The name on her father's letter.
The man she should not trust.
The ballroom doors opened.
And he walked in.
He was taller than everyone in his immediate vicinity.
black outfit.
Dark eyes.
nearly perfect look with sharp qualities.
With the calm confidence of one who knew the whole room was under his influence, he strolled through the crowd.
Women peered at him.
Men moved away.
All around him, the air seemed to change.
But what Eva was most afraid of...
was the look in his eyes.
cold.
in control.
Like he was calculating.
He had the ability to see right through people.
She quickly looked away.
Her colleague smiled and said, "Don't even think about it." "we are not usually noticed by men like that."
Eva gulped.
Excellent.
She didn't want him to notice her.
Adrian Cole received a glass of champagne across the room, which he had no plans to sip.
He hated these gatherings.
Especially when they were filled with people who claim to be significant.
He was followed by his assistant Daniel.
He said softly, "The Laurent's men are here."
Adrian tightened his jaw.
"Which of them?"
"Victor Laurent's nephew"
Adrian fixed his eyes on the other side of the ballroom.
A young man in a nice suit was laughing too much.
The Laurent family.
He hated them.
every single one of them.
For many years, he had been studying the family.
their wrong deeds in business.
They were dishonest. Their emptiness.
But one piece he was yet to solve.
The missing heiress.
Laurent Eva.
When her father had betrayed the family fifteen years prior, she had disappeared.
Some believe she is dead.
Some thought she went in hiding.
Adrian believes she is alive.
And deep down, somewhere...
He knew she is the link to the truth.
Eva tried to hide herself.
She lowered her head.
Served non-alcoholic drinks.
Avoided resting her gaze on him.
However, destiny had other plans.
Someone moved in front of her as she made to turn in the centre of the ballroom.
She jammed into him.
The tray moved.
The champagne splashed on his black suit.
The room immediately became silent.
Eva looked on afraid.
No.
No, no, no.
Of all the men in the room
Cole Adrian.
She quickly said, "I'm so sorry," and withdrew.
The manager didn't look happy.
"I'm sorry, sir, she's a new girl"
"no problem."
Adrian said not affected by the accident.
Too quiet.
Eva slowly looked up at him.
His eyes were fixed at her.
Dark.
unreadable.
He remained calm for a terrible moment.
Then his countenance changed.
Just a little.
But it was enough.
Like he had just seen a ghost.
He said, "Where did you get that necklace?"
Eva froze.
Her hand naturally flew to her neck.
The silver key.
She wore it on a chain underneath her uniform.
And it had somehow come out of it.
Adrian said softly, "No one has seen that necklace in fifteen years."
Her heart started to beat fast.
"You're wrong," she muttered.
She wanted to leave.
But Adrian held her wrist. She was sore afraid when he held her.
"Who are you?" he asked.
Before she could respond, the lights in the ballroom suddenly went out.
Some people screamed.
Then a gunshot.
And there ,in the dark...
A familiar voice said
"We found her."