Chapter 10 - THE BALLROOM TRAP
The investigation reached a turning point during a private fundraising dinner at the Ashcroft Hotel.
Evelyn had been hired months earlier to manage the event.
After consulting with Ruiz and her legal team, she agreed to continue under carefully controlled circumstances.
The authorities believed someone connected to Crosswell might attempt to access restricted areas.
Lucien attended as a donor.
He wore a black tuxedo.
Evelyn wore a silver dress.
When he approached her, she smiled faintly.
“Back where it started.”
He looked around.
“Another ballroom.”
“Another dangerous man.”
Lucien's mouth twitched.
“I'm trying to improve my reputation.”
Evelyn studied him.
“I noticed.”
They hadn't discussed their relationship since the confrontation about his past.
But something had changed.
She could see it.
Not in his words.
In his actions.
He had stopped using intimidation as his first response.
He had begun cooperating openly with authorities.
He had accepted scrutiny.
For the first time, Evelyn believed his transformation might be real.
Then her earpiece crackled.
“Evelyn, there's a problem near the service corridor.”
She turned.
A man in a catering uniform stood beside the west elevator.
The same man she'd noticed at the first gala.
Daniel.
He looked at her.
Then reached into his jacket.
Evelyn froze.
Before she could move, Detective Ruiz appeared from the adjoining hallway.
“Police. Hands where I can see them.”
Daniel ran.
Officers pursued him through the service corridor.
The ballroom erupted in confusion.
Guests shouted.
Security staff moved toward the exits.
Lucien reached Evelyn.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He looked toward the corridor.
“Stay with Ruiz.”
Evelyn grabbed his arm.
“Don't go after him.”
Lucien stopped.
For a moment, she saw the old instinct in his eyes.
The desire to take control.
To hunt.
To punish.
Then he nodded.
“I won't.”
He remained beside her.
Minutes later, Ruiz returned.
Daniel had been arrested.
He was carrying a concealed weapon and false credentials.
More importantly, his phone contained messages linking him to Victor Sloane.
Evelyn looked at Lucien.
He looked back.
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For the first time, the man everyone feared had chosen restraint when violence was within reach.
And Evelyn realized she was falling in love with him.
