Chapter 26 The Snake's Den
The night was cold. The icy air bit at Eva's cheeks and numbed her fingers, slipping beneath the thin fabric of her gloves.
Frost glittered on the parked cars along the street, and Eva waited outside Reena's apartment building, her breath forming small clouds in the cold air.
She hugged her arms a little tighter around herself as the distant hum of city traffic was softened by the winter chill.
The tall building loomed over her, with shiny glass windows and steel; the apartment looked fancy, a clear sign of wealth.
Eva wore a plain black coat over a dark dress, nothing that would draw attention. Her hair was tied back in a low bun, and she wore little makeup. She looked like someone there to ask for something, not to start a fight.
They didn't want Reena to get suspicious about her, so that was the point.
"Can you hear me?"
Adrian's voice came through the small earpiece hidden under her hair.
"Yes," Eva murmured, pretending to check her phone.
"My team had turned off the hallway cameras on Reena's floor. You have fifteen minutes before security notices and sends someone to check. Can you handle everything in that time?"
"It's a little short, but that's enough. I'll manage."
"Eva." Adrian's voice softened. "If anything feels wrong, anything at all, just get out of there immediately. Do you understand? Don't try to be a hero."
Eva almost smiled. "I thought that was your job. Playing hero."
"Eva, I'm serious."
A small smile formed on her face. "I know." She took a breath, steadying herself. "I'll be careful. I promise."
There was a pause.
"Hmm. I'll be on the floor below you. Literally three minutes away from you, if you need me, just let me know."
"I won't need you."
"Humor me anyway."
Eva slipped her phone back into her pocket with a smile and walked toward the building entrance.
There was a doorman, a middle-aged man in a crisp uniform, who looked up as she came in.
Eva masked the smile and looked at him with an expressionless face.
"Good evening, ma'am. Are you a resident here?"
"No, I’m not. I'm here to see Reena Park." Eva kept her voice steady. "She stays in Penthouse B on the ninth floor. She's expecting me."
The doorman checked his tablet. "Your name, ma'am?"
"Eva Francis."
A flicker of recognition crossed his face. The woman from the viral video. The scandal that had taken over social media for days.
Eva saw the judgment in his eyes and forced herself not to react.
"One moment." The doorman made a call, speaking quietly into his phone. After a brief exchange, he hung up and nodded. "Ms. Park says you can go up. Elevator on the right."
"Thank you."
Eva walked to the elevator, her heels clicking on the marble. Each step felt heavier than the last. When she pressed the button for the penthouse, her heart was pounding so hard it felt like even the cameras could hear it.
The elevator moved up smoothly and quietly.
"You're doing great," Adrian's voice murmured in her ear. "Almost there."
Eva didn't respond. She couldn't—not with cameras in the elevator.
The doors opened.
A long, elegant hallway stretched out in front of her. At the end stood a single door made of dark wood with gold trim. Penthouse B.
This was Reena's territory, her home.
Eva moved forward, careful with each step and steadying her breath. She had spent years being afraid of this woman—years of being manipulated, humiliated, and worn down.
But tonight, that would end.
She raised her hand and knocked.
The door opened.
And on the other side of the door, Reena stood dressed in a silk robe the color of blood. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her lips were curved in a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Eva." She said the name as if it were a joke. "What a surprise."
"Is it?" Eva kept her voice steady. "I think we both knew this conversation was coming."
Reena looked her over for a long moment, her sharp eyes checking Eva's appearance. She was looking for any sign of weakness or fear.
Eva kept her face blank, revealing nothing.
Finally, Reena stepped aside. "Come in."
The penthouse was impressive, filled with new furniture, huge windows, and expensive art that probably came from an auction.
Everything was spotless and carefully arranged, just like its owner.
Eva stepped inside and looked around, noting every detail. The layout matched the blueprint Daniel had given her: living room to the left, kitchen straight ahead, bedroom down the hallway to the right.
The safe was in the bedroom.
But first, she needed to keep Reena busy.
"Would you like a drink?" Reena moved the crystal decanter to the sideboard. "Whiskey? Wine? Something stronger?"
"No, thank you."
"Suit yourself." Reena poured herself a glass of amber liquid, taking a slow sip before turning back to Eva. "So. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
"I want to talk with you. I want to make a deal."
Reena's eyebrows rose. "A deal?"
"I know what you want. You want the Francis family fortune." Eva forced herself to meet Reena's gaze without flinching. "And what I want is my freedom. There will be no more threats, no more digging into my life, and no more going after my family."
Eva looked up to see Reena, eyebrows raised and a mocking smile on her face. "I want you to disappear and leave my family and me all alone. In exchange, I can help you gain what you want most. Maybe we can help each other."
A long silence hung between them.
Then Reena laughed, her voice cold and sharp as it echoed through the penthouse.
"Oh, Eva. Sweet, naive Eva. How can you be so foolish?" She set down her glass and walked toward her, like a predator circling its prey. "Do you really think I'd make a deal with you? After everything I've done to bring you down?"