Chapter 72 The Spy
Anna's POV
A disturbing thought suddenly hit me while I was still in the water.
What if the spy was right under my nose this whole time?
A real professional spy would be excellent at disguising herself, always smiling, always helpful, always on everyone’s good side. Someone who blended in perfectly.
My eyes widened in shock. “Eve is the spy,” I whispered to myself, the words slipping out loud before I could stop them.
As if she heard me, Eve turned from a distance in the water and smiled brightly at me.
I forced a smile back, but it felt completely fake. My heart was racing.
I considered telling Lucas immediately, but quickly decided against it. I needed solid evidence first. Accusing Eve without proof could destroy everything.
I got out of the water abruptly, water dripping down my body, and walked straight back to Lucas. “I want to go home now.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You’ve barely been here two hours, Anna.”
“I know. But I want to go back to the mansion.”
He studied my face carefully. “Alright then.” He stood up, then stopped. “Is everything alright?”
“I’m fine.”
“Did someone threaten you?”
“I’m fine, honestly. I just want to go back.”
Lucas nodded slowly. “Alright.” He walked off toward Eve to inform her.
I didn’t look in her direction. My mind was spinning. What if Eve already knew my true identity and had been pretending to be my friend this entire time?
A few minutes later, Eve and Lucas walked back to me. Eve looked concerned. “Lucas told me you want to leave. What happened? You were the one who suggested we come out in the first place.”
“Nothing happened,” I replied, keeping my voice neutral. “I just lost interest. I want to be back at the mansion.”
Eve nodded. “Alright then. Anything you want. Just wait for some minutes, let me say goodbye to some of the friends I made here.”
“Hmm. No problem.”
Eve walked away toward a small group of people farther down the beach. I watched her closely, suspicion growing.
Perhaps she had planned this beach trip ahead of time. To kidnap me or kill me if Lucas hadn’t come along.
I went to the car, changed out of my wet beachwear, and sat in the back seat.
Lucas started the engine while we waited for Eve.
I turned to him. “Are you doing anything to find the spy?”
“Yes,” Lucas replied. “But so far, nothing. Do you suspect anyone?”
I was tempted to say Eve’s name, but I held back. “No, I don’t suspect anyone specific. But I believe the spy has to be someone you trust. That’s what’s making it harder to uncover the person.”
Lucas hummed. “Hmm, you make a fair point. But who apart from you do I really trust?”
I was about to answer when Eve opened the car door and sat beside me, still smiling.
“Never mind,” I told Lucas quickly.
He didn’t push the issue. He simply started the engine and drove off, though I noticed him glancing at me repeatedly through the rearview mirror.
The journey back was quiet and quicker than expected. We reached the mansion as the sun was going down.
I knew I had to find a way to warn Serena that Eve might be the spy, but I had no safe way to contact her unless she reached out first.
I went straight upstairs to my room and was about to lock the door when Lucas slipped inside behind me.
“Xavier isn’t around,” he said softly, closing the door. “He won’t be back until tomorrow evening.”
“Where did he go?” I asked.
“I have no idea.” Lucas stepped closer, his eyes dark with hunger. “Are you hungry?”
“No.”
He smiled. “Good. Because I’m hungry… but not for food. For you.”
Before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply.
The kiss quickly grew intense. His hands moved over my body, pulling at my dress, pushing the fabric down my shoulders.
For a few heated moments, I kissed him back, lost in the familiar rush.
But then reality slammed into me.
I pushed him away firmly, stepping back and fixing my clothes. “Stop, Lucas.”
He looked shocked, breathing heavily. “Anna…?”
“I have to tell you the truth,” I said, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me. “This can never work out. The sooner you accept that, the better it will be for you.”
Lucas stared at me, his face twisting with disbelief and pain. For a second, the room was completely silent.
Then he let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “You’re falling in love with him, aren’t you?”
His voice was laced with venom. “After everything, after one night in his bed, you’re choosing Xavier? The same man who bought you like a whore?”
I didn’t deny it. I didn’t accept it either. I just stood there, heart pounding, unsure what I truly felt anymore. The words wouldn’t come.
That silence seemed to enrage him even more.
“You’re making a grave mistake, Anna!” he shouted. “He doesn’t love you. He’ll use you until he gets bored and then discard you like trash. But you’re too blind to see it!”
In a sudden burst of fury, Lucas grabbed the bedside lamp and smashed it against the wall.
The sound of shattering glass made me flinch. He swept his arm across the dresser, sending bottles of perfume, jewelry, and makeup crashing to the floor.
He kicked over a chair, breathing heavily, eyes wild with jealousy and rage. “You think he’ll protect you?” he snarled, turning back to me. “He’ll destroy you. And when he does, don’t come crying to me.”
Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
Lucas took one last look at me, chest heaving. “You’re going to regret this. Mark my words.”
Without another word, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door so hard the walls shook.
I stood frozen amid the destruction he had left behind, broken glass, scattered clothes, and the wreckage of whatever fragile thing had existed between us.
My hands trembled as I hugged myself.
I still didn’t know if I was falling for Xavier. But I knew I might make an enemy out of Lucas.