The window at Ares's right slowly slid shut.
Just before it sealed completely, his blue eyes swept once more over the woman's delicate face. His Adam's apple shifted. His gaze darkened.
Damn it.
Again.
Outside the car, Alfred and Dax were already carrying out the order.
Dax rounded the hood and approached Evelyn, who still stood frozen in place.
"Miss," he said evenly. "This way."
"N-no—don't take me…" she stammered, panic finally breaking through. "I'll pay! I'll compensate you, okay?! Just don't hurt me! Please!"
She struggled uselessly. "Chloe! Chloe! Call the police! Help me!"
Chloe had just stumbled out of the Ferrari's passenger seat, shaking all over. Seeing Evelyn being escorted away, she shrieked and tried to rush forward.
"Evie! What are you doing?! Let her go!"
But Alfred stepped smoothly into her path.
He didn't even need to touch her. He merely shifted slightly, and the sheer weight of his presence forced Chloe backward until she collided against the damaged car.
"Evie—!"
Evelyn was half-guided, half-lifted into the Phantom's back seat.
The door shut with a muted, final click.
She curled into the corner of the leather seat, mind racing.
Calm down. Calm down. Think. What can you do now?
The cabin lights remained off. Only the passing glow of city lights filtered through the tinted windows, flickering across Ares's sharp profile.
He leaned back in the shadows, almost entirely swallowed by darkness... Except for the faint ember of the cigar between his fingers.
Alfred resumed his place in the front passenger seat.
Through the rear window, Evelyn watched her beloved Ferrari grow smaller and smaller—until it vanished from sight.
Fear and grievance clawed at her fragile heart.
The silence inside the car was almost suffocating. Only the low hiss of the air purification system broke the stillness.
She didn't dare look at the man beside her.
All her earlier arrogance had evaporated.
Seconds ticked by. Then minutes.
Finally, she gathered her courage. Her voice came out small, trembling. "Mister... Who… who are you?"
There was no answer.
She sniffed softly, her voice shrinking further. "W-where are you taking me?"
Still nothing.
Ares didn't even lift his eyelids. It was as if she were nothing more than air.
She swallowed, forcing her voice not to break completely, a plea threading through it.
"The car I hit… I'll pay for it. I will. I have money––my parents are very rich! However much it costs… I'll pay. Please let me out of the car, okay?"
The silence remained absolute.
Her soft, trembling voice failed to stir even the faintest ripple.
Panic began to crack her composure. She bit her lower lip and slowly shifted closer to him.
Her heart pounded so violently she felt it might leap out of her chest. Inch by inch, she edged toward him until she was near his feet on the carpeted floor.
Tilting her face upward, she forced what she believed was her most innocent, most disarming expression.
She used the weapon that had worked on her parents her entire life.
That syrup-sweet, melting tone that could soften steel.
She reached out timidly and tugged at his sleeve.
"Mister… I really know I was wrong… I will pay, okay? Whatever it costs—I'll pay you. Please stop scaring me…"
When he didn't immediately shake her off, her courage grew. Her small hand slid over his, almost openly begging now.
The next second... He finally moved.
He turned and leaned down sharply, his hand clamped around her throat.
"Ugh!"
Her small body was slammed back against the seat. The back of her head struck the headrest, stars bursting across her vision.
That large hand cut off her air immediately.
Her face flushed red at a visible speed, eyes widening in sheer terror as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
She clawed at his wrist, but it was like trying to pry apart iron.
He bent closer, voice low and predatory. "Have you been drinking?"
Her pupils contracted violently.
She had drunk a lot of champagne. Recklessly so.
She had been so focused on the car, on her fear, that she had forgotten entirely.
Ares loosened his grip slightly, but his gaze remained locked on her face.
"Driving under the influence... And now you suddenly want to fix everything?"