Chapter 134 Death

Chapter 134 Death

Dimitri leaned against the far side of the elevator, his gaze fixed on the flickering numbers, as if making casual conversation: "You're the one who got switched at birth with the Vance family. Have you ever met your biological parents?"

Evie turned to look at him, a wave of confusion rising in her chest.

She didn't understand why he was suddenly bringing this up, and especially at this moment—as if that little scene in the hallway had meant nothing to him at all.

"No." Evie's answer was brief.

Dimitri let out a soft laugh, barely more than a sound escaping through his nose. "I know."

Evie's brows drew together, her gaze sharpening as she studied him. "What do you know?"

Dimitri didn't answer right away.

He pulled a folded document from the inner pocket of his suit jacket and held it out to her.

Evie glanced down at it but didn't take it.

Dimitri's hand remained extended, as if waiting for her to make up her mind.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Evie finally reached out and took it. When she unfolded it, her eyes landed on a paternity test report. Her name was printed there, along with another name she'd never heard before.

The edge of the paper curled slightly under her fingertips. Her gaze drifted from the technical jargon and data down to the final line of the conclusion, and stopped.

"What is this?" Evie stared at the paternity test in disbelief.

"I got hold of one of your hairs a while back." Dimitri let out a soft laugh. "Figured I'd run a test, just for kicks."

Evie stared at the report for a long time before lifting her head. Her voice trembled despite her efforts to steady it. "Who did you test me against?"

"The previous heir of our family." Dimitri tilted his head slightly. "The one who ran off with his wife and burned down half the family's assets on his way out. My uncle. Your biological father."

Something exploded inside Evie's head. A sharp ringing filled her ears.

"You're lying." Evie's voice was tentative, testing. She couldn't believe—refused to believe—that her biological father could be the former heir of the Orlov family.

Dimitri pulled out a photograph from his pocket and handed it over.

The photo showed a young couple. The man stood in profile, his features clear and distinct. His eyes and brows bore a sixty-percent resemblance to hers.

Evie's fingertips hovered at the edge of the photograph, unable to pull away, as if the face in the image had pinned her in place.

Now Evie had no choice but to half-believe it. The paternity test, the photograph—everything pointed to the same conclusion: these two people were her biological parents.

"Where… where are they?" Evie's voice dropped to a trembling whisper.

Dimitri didn't answer. At the exact moment she finished her question, the elevator chimed and arrived at the ground floor.

He tucked the photograph away, then turned and held the elevator door open with one hand, gesturing for Evie to step out first.

Evie hesitated, unsure of what game Dimitri was playing, but she followed him out through the hotel's main entrance anyway.

The night wind rushed toward her, carrying the crisp chill unique to this city's late autumn. The hand clutching the report still trembled slightly, her mind spinning with countless questions.

Before Evie could grasp even one of them, something fell in front of her—landing heavily on the pavement with a dull, sickening thud.

"Ah!" Evie screamed, her voice breaking. A person had just landed right in front of her.

Vivian's face was turned to the side, her eyes not quite closed. The cold light from the streetlamp reflected off the surface of her pupils. Her body was covered in injuries, a pool of blood spreading beneath her.

Evie staggered back several steps, her knees going weak. Just as she was about to fall, Dimitri caught her from behind.

"It's okay. Don't be scared."

Dimitri's arm wrapped around Evie's shoulders, pulling her securely into his embrace.

He glanced down at the body lying motionless on the ground, his tone tinged with regret. "She couldn't even last a few days. Looks like I'll need to find a fifth wife."

Evie's fingers clutched the paternity report, her knuckles white. She was still reeling from what had just happened, her mind a tangled mess.

She had hated Vivian. She'd wished countless times for this woman to disappear from her world. But now that it had actually happened—right in front of her—what she felt wasn't satisfaction. It was something far more complicated, far heavier.

She and Vivian had been at war for years. Vivian had caused her endless suffering and destroyed countless lives.

And now, Vivian had finally met her retribution—jumping to her death in pain and despair.

It took Evie a long moment to come back to herself. She tried to pull away from Dimitri's embrace, lifting her arms, but he only tightened his hold.

She turned her head, forcing the last shred of composure into her voice. "Let go of me."

Dimitri didn't loosen his grip. Instead, he looked down at her, the curve of his smile under the streetlight like a thin, sharp blade. His voice fell softly against her ear. "You're not going anywhere."

Just as Evie was about to resist, she felt something soft press over her nose and mouth.

The smell hit her too fast. Before Evie could even struggle, her vision went black and she passed out.

…

When Evie woke up, she found herself lying on a soft, oversized bed.

The room was large. Heavy, dark curtains blocked out the light from outside, leaving only a warm yellow wall lamp by the headboard.

Evie sat up and realized she'd been changed into a clean nightgown. The fabric was soft, as if someone had carefully dressed her.

She looked around. When she tried the door, it was locked. The windows were locked too. She pulled back the curtain and glanced outside—there was a wide, neatly trimmed lawn and layers of trees in the distance. No clue where she was.

Evie tried to piece together what had happened before she lost consciousness. Vivian's body falling. The smell of the cloth Dimitri had pressed against her face. Then complete darkness.

She tightened her grip on the curtain, digging her nails into her palm to force herself to stay calm.

Evie moved toward the electronic lock panel by the door. Her fingers had just brushed the edge when she heard the lock turn. She quickly backed into the center of the room.

Dimitri pushed the door open. He'd changed into a light gray shirt and looked like he'd just come back from some leisurely engagement. He was holding a cup of coffee, his expression unhurried.

When he saw Evie standing in the middle of the room, he smiled. "You're awake? Don't waste your energy. The security system here is tighter than my own life."

Evie stared at him. "What the hell do you want?"

"What do I want?" Dimitri leaned against the doorframe and took a sip of coffee, his tone casual. "I need to use you to trade for something with Irina. My dear aunt has been holding onto those assets all these years because she's convinced her brother Lukas is still alive, isn't she?"

Dimitri lowered his gaze to the rim of his cup. "She thinks Lukas is coming back, so she refuses to let go. You're Lukas's daughter. She'll hand over everything she's got to keep you alive."

Evie glared at him. "Dream on."

Dimitri didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled. "You'd better behave. As long as you cooperate, I won't let you suffer. Stay here a few days. Once this is over, I'll let you go."

"James won't let you get away with this."

Dimitri turned toward the door, coffee cup in hand. "Then we'll talk after he finds you."

Over the next few days, Evie was locked in that room. Three meals were delivered on time each day. Someone would come in to collect laundry and replace her clothes, but no one spoke to her.

Evie tried to escape, but it was useless. Then, on the fourth afternoon, the door opened.

Dimitri stood in the doorway, two men in black standing behind him. He glanced at Evie and waved a hand. "Get her in the car."

Evie was led out of the room, down a long hallway, through the foyer, and into the back seat of a black sedan.

Dimitri sat in the front passenger seat. Once he got in, he didn't look back—just told the driver, "Let's go."

The car pulled onto a wide highway. Fields stretched out on either side, with the occasional blur of trees.

Evie sat in the back seat, a zip tie around one wrist—not tight, but impossible to break free from.

She watched the scenery flash past outside the window, her mind rapidly calculating the car's speed and the surrounding terrain.

Her chance came at a curve. The car slowed down slightly, and up ahead it looked like they were approaching an intersection.

Evie made her plan. She shifted her body and used her free hand to shove the car door open.

Wind rushed in, whipping her hair back.

Just as Evie was about to jump, the car suddenly slammed to a stop.

Evie looked up and saw another dark-colored car blocking the road ahead, parked diagonally across the intersection.

When the door opened, a familiar figure stepped out. Evie's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

After the driver slammed on the brakes, Dimitri remained seated in the passenger seat, unmoving. He stared through the windshield at the figure ahead, his expression slowly hardening.

Dimitri didn't turn around. His voice carried a trace of mockery. "Looks like he got here faster than I expected."