Chapter 45

Sebastian Valdemar stared at his phone screen, brows slightly furrowed.

In the video Zachary sent, Evelyn Roland stood with one hand on her hip at the loan center, negotiating fiercely with the staff. Her gangster mannerism was a stark contrast to her usual gentle demeanor.

His fingertip tapped the screen, freezing the frame on her raised eyebrow.

"Mr. Valdemar, your coffee."

Theodore entered and nearly dropped the tray—his CEO was smiling? He rubbed his eyes instinctively.

"Leave it." Sebastian didn't look up.

Theodore set down the cup quietly, straining to glimpse the phone screen. The angle was wrong.

Silence returned to the office.

Sebastian traced the phone's edge, recalling two versions of Evelyn: the docile woman asking for his contact, and the fiery negotiator in the video.

Interesting.

Meanwhile, at an old apartment building in the east district.

"Solved it?" Richard Clementson swayed with an empty bottle, blocking their path. "Where's the money?"

Hannah's nails dug into her palms.

"No need to repay." Her voice was glacial.

Richard beamed, reaching to pat her shoulder. "That's my girl—"

"Don't touch me!" Hannah recoiled. "We're even now."

The flickering hallway light revealed her pale face.

Evelyn stepped forward subtly, shielding Hannah.

"You ungrateful bitch!" Richard smashed the bottle against the wall. "After all I've done for you!"

Shards sprayed everywhere.

Hannah trembled but stood straight. "Raised me? After Mom died, all you did was gamble and drink."

Her words were deliberate. "Last warning. Next time you're beaten in an alley, I won't even glance your way."

"How dare you!" Richard swung his fist.

Evelyn yanked Hannah aside. "I've recorded everything. Another move and I call the police."

His fist froze midair.

In the dim corridor, three elongated shadows stretched across the floor.