Night fell over the city.
Evelyn stood alone on the rooftop of Hart Group.
The wind was cold.
Sharp.
But it cleared her mind.
Everything was moving faster than before.
Selena had fallen—
Earlier than expected.
Which meant—
Something else had changed.
---
Her phone vibrated.
She didn't need to look.
She already knew.
"Speak."
A low chuckle came through.
"You're adapting well."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
"You're interfering."
"Am I?" the man replied lightly. "Or am I just… helping?"
Evelyn's voice turned cold.
"I don't need help."
"Everyone needs help."
A pause.
Then—
"Especially when the enemy is bigger than you think."
Silence.
The wind howled softly around her.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
The man didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He asked his own question.
"Do you really think Selena Vale acted alone?"
Evelyn's fingers tightened slightly.
No.
She didn't.
Not anymore.
---
In her previous life—
Selena had power.
Influence.
Control.
But not enough—
To kill her.
Not alone.
---
"There's someone behind her," the man continued.
"Someone who wanted you dead."
Evelyn's heartbeat slowed.
Not faster.
Slower.
Colder.
More controlled.
"Who?"
A pause.
Longer this time.
Then—
"Not yet."
Evelyn's expression darkened.
"You're playing games."
"No," the man said softly.
"I'm keeping you alive."
---
Silence.
Then—
Evelyn spoke again.
"Name."
Just one word.
Sharp.
Demanding.
The man chuckled.
"You're not ready for it."
Evelyn's eyes turned cold.
"Try me."
A pause.
Then—
The man finally spoke.
"One name."
The wind seemed to stop.
"Leon Vale."
Evelyn froze.
Vale.
The same surname.
Selena…
And Leon.
Her mind raced instantly.
In her previous life—
She had never heard of him.
Never seen him.
Never—
Known he existed.
---
"Remember it," the man said softly.
"Because he remembers you."
The line went dead.
---
Evelyn stood there.
Silent.
Still.
But inside—
Everything had changed.
The game wasn't just about revenge anymore.
It was about survival.
---
Far away—
In a dimly lit office—
A man stood by the window.
Tall.
Composed.
Dangerous.
"Leon Vale," he murmured.
Then—
He smiled.
"Interesting."