Chapter 42 The Truth
Anna’s POV
I pushed the door open and stepped inside my room… only to freeze.
Eve was already there. But something was off. She wasn’t in her usual maid uniform. She was dressed… differently.
Like she belonged to the same world as the people downstairs—not beneath them.
A fitted dress hugged her figure, her hair styled neatly, her posture straight, confident… dangerous.
For a second, I just stood there, staring at her.
Something about her screamed mission. Not service.
I tilted my head slightly, studying her. “You look…” I paused, then smirked faintly. “Like a proper mafia princess.”
Eve smiled. Not her usual soft smile. This one had weight. “Thank you, Anna.”
Her voice was calm… but there was something underneath it. Something I couldn’t quite place.
She stepped closer. “How was your day?”
I exhaled slowly, dropping my bag.
“My day?” I let out a dry chuckle. “Oh, you know… just watched a bunch of men die, saw Xavier covered in blood, went shopping… normal stuff.”
Eve didn’t laugh. She just watched me.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. “Okay… what’s the occasion?” I asked, gesturing at her outfit. “Because this definitely isn’t your ‘serve food and clean rooms’ look.”
Eve didn’t hesitate. “Xavier promoted me.”
I blinked. “…promoted you?”
She nodded. “To your personal assistant.”
My brows shot up instantly. “Excuse me?” I actually laughed this time. “I don’t need a personal assistant.”
Eve folded her hands calmly. “According to Xavier, you do.”
I stared at her. Something about that answer irritated me. “What exactly does that mean?” I asked slowly.
Eve took another step closer. “It means,” she said evenly, “I follow you everywhere you go. I pay attention to what you eat, what you drink… and who you talk to.”
My expression hardened. “That sounds less like an assistant…” I said quietly, “and more like a spy.”
Eve didn’t flinch. “It sounds like Xavier wants you protected.”
I scoffed lightly. “Well, Lucas is already doing a great job at that.”
Eve’s eyes darkened, just for a second.“But it isn’t Lucas’ job,” she said firmly. “It’s mine now.”
Something in her tone made me pause. But I brushed it off. “No offense,” I muttered, walking past her toward my wardrobe, “but I kinda prefer Lucas.”
I felt her gaze on my back. Then she spoke again.
“I know what’s going on between you and Lucas.”
My steps halted. Slowly… I turned to face her.
My heart skipped once. “…What?”
Eve tilted her head slightly. “It’s only a matter of time before Xavier finds out too,” she added calmly. “But don’t worry… it won’t be from me.”
My chest tightened. I forced a laugh. “There’s nothing going on between Lucas and I.”
Eve sighed. “Come on, Anna,” she said, shaking her head. “Of all people… don’t lie to me.”
I exhaled sharply. There was no point pretending completely. “Lucas… loves me,” I said.
Eve nodded immediately. “Of course he does.” Her tone became colder. “But I wouldn’t trust Lucas’ love if I were you.”
I frowned. “Why?”
She stepped closer. Close enough that I could see the seriousness in her eyes. “Because Lucas’ love is selfish.”
That made me stiffen.
“He’s sweet now,” she continued, “because he doesn’t have you yet. But the moment he does…”
She paused. “…you’ll see a different side of him.”
I shook my head immediately. “I don’t believe that.”
Eve’s lips curved faintly. “You will soon enough."
Something about the certainty in her voice made a chill run down my spine.
I crossed my arms. “Lucas means well.”
Eve leaned in slightly. “For now.” Then her eyes narrowed. “What exactly has Lucas offered you?”
My heart skipped again. For a second… I considered telling her everything. The auction plan, the fake buyer. But no, I couldn’t.
“Protection,” I said simply.
Eve nodded slowly. “Of course he would.” Then she added quietly, “But when you see the real Lucas… you’re going to hate his protection.”
There it was again. That conviction. That certainty. It unsettled me more than I wanted to admit.
I forced a small smile. “Thanks for the warning.”
Before she could respond— A knock came at the door.Both of us turned.
The door opened without waiting for permission.
Lucas walked in. Followed by a few men carrying shopping bags.
They dropped everything neatly inside the room and left immediately.
Lucas stayed. Of course he did. His eyes landed on me first… then flickered briefly to Eve.
“Excuse us,” he said.
Eve didn’t argue. She simply nodded and walked out.
The moment she stepped out— Lucas shut the door. And locked it.
I turned to him immediately. “She knows.”
He blinked. “…What?”
“She knows something is going on between us.”
Lucas rolled his eyes slightly. “Don’t mind Eve,” he said casually. “She’s just jealous.”
I frowned. “Jealous? Of what?”
He didn’t answer. He looked away.
That annoyed me. “Lucas.”
Silence. “Lucas.”
He sighed. Then finally looked back at me. “…I used to sleep with her.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
He shrugged slightly, like it wasn’t a big deal.
“Before you came… it happened. A few times.”
I stared at him. Processing everything “Oh…” I muttered slowly.
Lucas stepped closer. “It didn’t mean anything.”
I didn’t respond immediately. I just watched him. Studied him.
Then finally said quietly— “It clearly meant something to her.”
Lucas went silent. And just like that… The room felt heavier.