Chapter 313

Maximilian Blackwood remained oblivious to the situation. His brow furrowed as he questioned, "Excuse me, what was that about?"

Evelyn Carter's lips curled into a chilling smile. "We're well past the point of pretending, don't you think?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop as Maximilian's expression darkened. He turned sharply to Sebastian Blackwood. "Explain yourself. What exactly did you do to provoke Ms. Carter?"

Sebastian's face twisted into something ugly as he leaned in to whisper urgently to his boss.

The moment the words registered, Maximilian slammed his fist on the table with a resounding crack. "You brainless imbecile!"

Sebastian recoiled, hands raised in placation. "Max, calm down. It was just... a momentary lapse in judgment."

Maximilian visibly struggled to compose himself before Evelyn's piercing gaze.

Sebastian had been his most trusted lieutenant for nearly a decade. Sacrificing him over some woman, no matter how influential, wasn't an option.

With practiced charm, Maximilian offered a conciliatory smile. "Ms. Carter, surely there's been some misunderstanding?"

Evelyn's fingers tapped rhythmically against her thigh. "I nearly died, Maximilian. What part of that sounds like a misunderstanding to you?"

Maximilian knew exactly who Evelyn was. While he commanded considerable power in the city's underworld, even he couldn't openly challenge the Kingsley heiress.

Playing the gracious host, he poured a crystal glass of bourbon and extended it toward Evelyn. "My associate acted foolishly. Consider this drink my personal apology. Let's put this unfortunate incident behind us."

The glass shattered against the marble floor before it could reach her hands, amber liquid spreading like blood across the tiles.

Sebastian lunged forward, face contorted with rage. "You ungrateful bitch! Max is being more than generous here!"

Evelyn's gaze never wavered. "What do I want? Simple. Your head on a silver platter."

Her words hung in the air like a guillotine's blade. Even the hardened men in the room suppressed shivers at the steel in her voice.

Sebastian barked out a laugh, though his eyes remained deadly serious. "Take my life? You'll need more than pretty words to manage that."

Evelyn examined her manicure with feigned disinterest. "I wouldn't be standing here if I didn't have exactly what it takes."

Maximilian stepped between them, hands raised. "Ms. Carter, please. This hostility isn't good for anyone's health."

But Evelyn's mind was made up. This man had tried to kill her. There would be no mercy.

"Your choice, Maximilian. Hand him over or face the consequences."

Sebastian bristled at her tone. "Since when do we let some spoiled socialite make demands? Say the word, Max, and I'll handle this nuisance."

A single sharp gesture from Maximilian silenced him instantly.

Returning to his seat, Maximilian studied the chessboard before him with sudden intensity. "A game, Ms. Carter? Winner takes all."

"Max, this is ridiculous!" Sebastian protested. "Just let me deal with her!"

"Silence!" The roar was so uncharacteristic that even Evelyn blinked. The carefully constructed mask of civility had slipped, revealing the predator beneath.

Sebastian fell back, properly cowed for the first time that evening.