Betrayal by love

Kim walked toward Nate and hugged him tightly. "Hey man, why didn't you tell me you were coming to the same school?"

Nate forced a small smile, his expression blank and confused. "Um… I forgot. It was a sudden transfer."

"It's okay, Nate. I'm just asking. Well, good to see you here. We can study like in the old days." Kim's attention shifted to Mike. "Hey, I'm Kim Hyun Joong."

"I'm Mike, Nate's classmate. If my guess is correct, you guys are childhood friends, right?"

Kim nodded. "Yes, nice to meet you. Let's head to the canteen; we can catch up there."

As they walked, Nate's thoughts swirled. Kim wasn't just a normal student. He was one of Nate's father's assistants, four years older and always impeccable in his work. His young appearance was courtesy of Korean genes. Nate's father must have sent Kim to keep an eye on him. Typical.

In class, Nate's focus shifted entirely to Evangeline. He observed her actions, habits, and interactions with others. Analyzing her demeanor and communication style, he began crafting a strategy for their first conversation, aiming to make a strong impression.

Mike noticed Nate's gaze. "Dude, do you know her?"

"You mean Evangeline?" Nate asked.

"How do you know her name?"

"I just overheard her friends calling her, that's all," Nate replied, keeping his tone casual.

"Oh! Well, she's rich as hell. One of my friends mentioned she has bodyguards and has never dated anyone, though she has a few close friends. It's hard to believe. Despite all her wealth, she's never been in a relationship." Mike's expression was filled with disbelief.

Before Nate could respond, the bell rang. Relief washed over him. "Thank God," he thought.

Mike's phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. "Okay, Nate, I have to take this, or I'm dead. See you tomorrow!" Mike waved and hurried off, leaving Nate thankful for the saved conversation.

Later, Nate stood on the seventh-floor balcony, leaning against the railing. His eyes tracked Evangeline as she exited the building and headed toward a sleek black car parked by the curb. Two imposing bodyguards flanked the vehicle, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes. Evangeline's stride was graceful and confident as she approached.

She turned to Aaron, who stood nearby. "Call me tonight," she said with a wide smile.

"Of course, Evangeline. I'll be waiting," Aaron replied with equal enthusiasm.

Nate's phone buzzed, pulling him out of his thoughts. He pulled it out, already suspecting who it was.

"How was your day, Nate? Anything interesting?" his assistant asked with curiosity.

Nate's gaze flicked back down to Evangeline before answering. "It was fine. By the way, why didn't you tell me Kim was coming here?"

"Your dad appointed him, Nate. He's here for your safety and business matters. If the Winter family catches wind of our plan, Kim is the backup. He knows everything."

"Wait! What? Do you think I'm going to mess up Dad's plan? That's not happening."

"Relax, Nate. Kim's on your side. He's here to help, not interfere. Trust me, he's an asset. Don't overthink it."

"Fine. But this better not cause problems," Nate replied, his irritation with his father's decision clear.

"Kim's got your back," the assistant reassured.

Kim gave Nate a signal to leave, and Nate ended the call. "Fine. I've got to go, Nick," he said before following Kim out of the building.

---

The car door clicked shut as Evangeline climbed in, her bodyguards following suit.

"How was your day, Evangeline? Did everything go smoothly? Did anyone cause trouble, ma'am?" Christopher, one of the bodyguards, asked.

Evangeline sighed and rolled her eyes. "Are you serious? Do I look like I'm in my forties or fifties? No, right? Please stop with the formal tone. It gives me a headache every time."

Christopher straightened slightly. "Apologies, ma'am. I'm Christopher, and this is Michael. We were assigned two weeks ago. If you'd prefer, we can adjust our tone moving forward."

"Thank you, Chris. I appreciate it. You two seem to catch on quickly. The last team didn't."

Christopher and Michael exchanged puzzled glances, their confusion evident. What had the previous bodyguards done wrong?

The ride continued in silence as Evangeline watched the scenery through the window.

---

When they arrived home, Evangeline hummed a cheerful tune, pausing at the front door when she noticed it was ajar. Her brows furrowed.

"Guys, the door's open. Chris, grab your weapons. I think someone's broken in," she said, handing tools to them—a pair of scissors to Chris, a knife to Michael, and a scale for herself.

The three stepped cautiously into the hall, scanning for any signs of an intruder. The bodyguards momentarily forgot they were armed with guns as they prepared to strike.

"Ready. One, two, three… go!" Evangeline said in a husky whisper.

"Welcome home, Sissy," a familiar voice greeted.

Evangeline froze, her gaze snapping to the couch where her brother, Max, sat with a book in hand.

"Shit! You scared me, idiot. What are you doing here, Max?" she demanded, exasperated.

Max smirked, closing his book and walking toward her. "Didn't our parents teach you to respect your elders? Dad wanted me to check in on you."

"It's been one day since I left, Max. You guys watching me through cameras is enough to make me go crazy," she said, frustrated.

"Don't worry, little sis. I'm not staying long. I'll drop by every week or two, depending on my schedule."

She let out a relieved sigh. "Thank God. That's the best news I've heard all year."

Max chuckled. "Don't get too comfortable. Anyway, I've got a business trip tomorrow, so I'm heading out now."

She hugged him tightly. "Okay, bro. I'll miss you."

As Max reached the door, he turned to the bodyguards with a sly grin. "Good luck, guys."

Christopher and Michael exchanged puzzled looks as Max left.

---

That evening, the bar buzzed with music and flashing lights. Nate stood near the counter, casually holding a drink as he discussed business with an older man in a suit.

Kim interrupted their conversation. "Nate, you've got a call. It's your dad."

Nate excused himself and answered. "Yes, Dad?"

His father's voice was steady. "I've reviewed the documents. The contract's signed. It's a $10 billion deal."

"Got it, Dad."

After hanging up, Nate glanced through some files, signed a few papers, and returned to the conversation. As the old businessman's phone buzzed, Nate noticed a familiar name flash across the screen—Ethan Winters. The name triggered a spark of curiosity about Evangeline's connection to her family's business.

Unbeknownst to him, a figure in a black hoodie lurked in the shadows, camera in hand.

Click. Click.

The figure captured photos of Nate, adjusting the hood to ensure their face remained hidden. Satisfied with the images, they sent them to an unknown number before vanishing into the night.