Chapter 8 - Blood and SecretsEvelyn's mother, Martha Carter, sat on the edge of a minimalist velvet sofa in the grand lobby of Callaway Tower, looking entirely out of place among the multimillion-dollar art installations and armed security guards. Beside her sat Dana, Evelyn’s college best friend, who was nervously clutching a lukewarm paper cup of coffee.
When Evelyn stepped out of the private elevator, her mother stood up immediately, her face etched with a mixture of awe, fear, and profound confusion.
"Evelyn..." Martha breathed, stepping forward before stopping herself, intimidated by the sharp, bespoke white coat and the cold aura of authority surrounding her daughter. "My god, honey. The news... the television... we've been trying to call you for weeks."
"My phone number changed, Mother," Evelyn said, walking over with a measured, graceful stride. "And for good reason. What are you doing here?"
"We had to come," Dana chimed in, stepping up beside Martha. "Evelyn, are you out of your mind? You married Roman Callaway? The mob-tied billionaire who practically owns New York real estate? Everyone is saying you're playing a very dangerous game with people who eat alive people like us!"
Evelyn offered a faint, chilling smile. "Dana, look around. I'm not the one getting eaten anymore."
"That's not what I mean!" Martha whispered frantically, grabbing Evelyn's gloved hand. "You don't understand. There are things you don't know about the Callaway family. Things Roman kept hidden from the public... and from you."
Evelyn's smile faded, replaced instantly by a sharp, focused intensity. "What are you talking about?"
Martha looked around the lobby, checking to ensure no security guards were within earshot, before pulling a faded, water-stained manila envelope from her oversized handbag.
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"Before your father passed away, he worked as an accountant for Callaway Holdings back in the nineties," Martha whispered, her voice trembling. "He didn't leave your life because he wanted to, Evelyn. He was silenced because he found out how Roman Callaway built his initial fortune."
Evelyn stared at the envelope, her blood running cold. "What's inside?"
