CHAPTER 19: TERMS OF TRUST

(Evelina’s POV — Hartgrave Corporation Conference Room—Continuation)

The question hit the table like a blade.

"And why should I trust Miss Hartgrave... who just joined the company?"

The room froze.

Kael’s eyes flicked toward me, sharp with disdain—almost pleased, as if waiting to watch me crumble. Arden glared, as if daring me to embarrass the family. Lucien tensed like he was preparing to intervene. Father’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t speak.

Because this wasn’t his question to answer.

It was mine.

Theo Vinter leaned back in his chair, posture unhurried, gaze ruthless. His fingers rested against one another lightly—as if he held my future between them.

"Go on," he murmured, almost bored. "I’m listening."

My heart picked up. Once. Hard. But my face didn’t shift. My voice didn’t break.

I met his eyes steadily.

"Because trust," I said quietly, "isn’t built on time. It’s built on capability."

A muscle in Kael’s jaw ticked. Theo’s gaze sharpened. I placed my hand on the folder before me.

"You’re right, Mr. Vinter. I have only just joined the company. I’m new to this project. I’m new to this position." I inhaled slowly. "But I am not new to responsibility."

He tilted his head slightly—interest flickering, subtle but clear.

I continued.

"You said it yourself. One mistake in the supply line—and everything collapses. That’s why you can’t trust projections. That’s why you can’t trust promises."

I lifted my eyes to his fully.

"So trust me because I’m the only one here who isn’t pretending this is easy."

Silence.

Sharp. Dense.

Theo’s expression didn’t soften—it rarely did—but something shifted. The way a predator shifts when prey stops running.

I tapped the table once, softly.

"You don’t want loyalty. You want results." A pause. "And I deliver them."

Kael scoffed—loud, dismissive, ugly. He leaned forward, his voice cutting. "Coming from a woman whose reputation is already tarnished in society."

The jab hit the table like a knife.

Father’s head snapped toward him. "We shall not bring personal matters into this meeting, Mr. Valtore."

Kael shut his mouth—barely—but the cold disdain in his eyes didn’t fade.

Theo Vinter’s gaze, however, slid toward me with slow amusement. He smirked—sharp, cruel, entertained.

"I understand your point, Mr. Hartgrave," he murmured, "but Mr. Valtore is... not wrong."

The room stilled.

Theo shifted slightly in his chair, the atmosphere bending around him.

"A woman whose reputation is torn apart in society..." His voice lowered to something velvet and lethal. "How can we expect loyalty from her?" Kael smirked.

And Father—

Father froze. Everyone waited for me to break. To cry. To defend myself. To lash out. I did none of that.

Instead, I leaned forward, mirroring Theo’s posture—my smirk reflecting his.

"Very well, Mr. Vinter," I said calmly. "If we are discussing reputations—let’s discuss yours."

His eyes sharpened instantly.

Kael’s breath caught. Lucien whispered, "Eve—don’t."

I ignored all of them.

"I have heard..." I began softly, "many delicious rumors about you, Mr. Vinter."

Theo’s fingers stilled.

"That you kill people," I continued, "as casually as if you were hunting animals in a jungle."

A collective gasp sliced through the room. Father’s eyes widened in horror. Sera covered her mouth. Kael looked stunned for the first time.

Arden nearly shot up from his seat. "Evelina—! "

But Theo—

Theo raised a hand. Silencing everyone. Then he leaned back, slow, deliberate, and predatory.

"Oh?" he murmured. "Is that so?"

His golden eyes locked on mine—dark, focused, and unblinking. No anger. No irritation. Just... lethal amusement.

"You’re bold, Miss Hartgrave," he said quietly. "Reckless—even. Most people don’t speak to me like that."

"I’m not ’most people,’ Mr. Vinter."

A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.

I didn’t stop.

"So tell me," I asked, voice soft but cutting, "why should we sign a deal with a murderer or should I call you Mafia?"

Dead silence.

You could hear the chandelier hum.

Lucien swallowed hard. Kael’s glare flicked sharply between us—confused at the shift in power.Sera looked like her soul was leaving her body.

Theo... watched me.

Unmoving. Unblinking. Then—A slow, sharp laugh escaped him.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t warm. It was the kind of laugh that made your spine tighten—the kind that said he had decided something very dangerous.

"I never realized..." he murmured, eyes never leaving mine, "...that the real daughter of the Hartgrave family was this interesting."

His smirk deepened.

"If I had known," he added lazily, "I wouldn’t have given that necklace to a mere adopted one."

Sera flinched violently. Her breath hitched as she was humiliated publicly. Arden’s jaw locked so hard the muscle trembled.

Arden snapped, "Watch your mouth—!"

Theo didn’t even glance at him. Instead, he opened the folder—the one he had refused to touch earlier. He took out a black pen and clicked it once, the sound echoing like a loaded gun.

"But anyway," he said smoothly, "since Miss Evelina Hartgrave has shown both clarity and... entertainment—"

He signed the contract.

One stroke.Clean.Precise.Unhesitating.

The air dropped several degrees.

He capped the pen, placed it down, and lifted his eyes to me once more.

"I shall keep a trust,"

he said softly, dangerously, "in you, Miss Evelina Hartgrave."

The table collectively exhaled. Theo’s signature was still shining on the contract when my gaze flicked upward—and I froze.

[Theo Vinter—10% Affection]

Ten. Percent.

From zero to ten...

I blinked slowly.

"...What kind of dangerous man gets charmed by being insulted?"

Before I could unravel that psychological nightmare—

PING!

A soft shimmer appeared.

[System: Reward Acquired. Reputation Increased: +10 Corporate Standing Improved.]

I exhaled.

So this man... this mafia CEO... this walking red flag wrapped in luxury... is somehow my good luck charm on my first day?

God help me.

Theo rose from his seat, sliding the signed document toward Father. His movements were calm and precise—like someone who knew the world bent around him.

He extended a hand.

"Let’s have a peaceful corporate journey ahead," he said with a polite, sharp smile.

Father shook his hand firmly. "We will."

And then—Theo turned his attention to me.

He walked closer.And closer.

Stopping far too near, close enough that his cologne brushed my skin—something dark, cold, and almost metallic.

His hands still in his pockets, he paused right in front of me... then slowly lifted one hand to offer a handshake.

"Hope to see you more in the future, Miss Hartgrave."

I kept my expression cool, took his hand, and replied, "I will make sure not to disappoint you, Mr. Vinter."

His smile deepened.

But he didn’t let go.

His fingers tightened very slightly—barely noticeable, except to me.

I swallowed once. "...Mr. Vinter?"

Only then did he release my hand, stepping back with a slow, amused exhale.Then he addressed the room.

"Since we have become official partners," he said, voice low and smooth, "I have something to propose."

Father tilted his head. "What is it?"

"A gathering."

"A gathering?" Lucien asked sharply.

Theo’s lips curled. "Yes. An inauguration celebration."

Arden snorted softly. "For what? Another Hotel"

Theo chuckled—quiet and dangerous. "No," he said. "Something... livelier."

His eyes glinted. Golden. Sharp. Knowing.

"My brand-new casino."

Silence choked the room.

Theo Vinter isn’t just chaos. He’s premium, gold-plated chaos.

He continued, "I would like the Hartgrave family—and all executives involved in Project Helios—to attend. It is... essential."

Something clicked at the edge of my vision.

PING!

PING—

A harsh blue flare blinked open in my vision.

[System: New Event Activated—"Casino of Shadows." Objective: Attend Theo Vinter’s Casino Inauguration Party. Warning: High-Risk Event. Threats Identified: Drink Spike. Assassination Attempt.]

[Reward: Authority to choose your own story routes. Bonus Reward: Favor of the strongest man in the game.]

My breath caught.

Assassination attempt?! At a party?

"What the actual—"

And then the second line hit me like lightning.

Choose my own routes.Gain the strongest man’s favor.

My eyes widened, heartbeat thundering.

If I unlock this reward...No forced villainess path. No scripted downfall. No "Evelina must die for Sera’s growth" bullsh*t. No predetermined betrayals. No doomed bad endings made for this body I’m trapped in

I could break the narrative.

I could make my own future.

I could survive.

My pulse steadied, a sharp clarity slicing through me.

This wasn’t just a party. This was a turning point. A reset button disguised as glitter and sin.A chance to step out of the script and write my own.

Theo’s gaze drifted to me—slow, steady, almost like he heard the System himself.His golden eyes locked onto mine, carving heat and danger into the air.

"I expect to see you there," he said quietly.

Not the Hartgrave family. Not the company. Not the executives.

Me.

Theo didn’t look away. The moment stretched—heavy, electric. I lifted my chin, let a faint, controlled smile curve my lips, and answered, "As you wish, Mr. Vinter."

His smirk deepened—slow, razor-edged, filled with unspoken promise.

"I look forward to it."

Then he turned. Silver hair catching the light. Footsteps steady and ruthless. His bodyguards moved with him—silent, precise shadows.

The doors slid shut with a soft hiss.

But the pressure he left behind... It felt like a storm had briefly stepped into the room—and promised to return.

What lingered wasn’t just danger.

It was an opportunity.