The First Attack

Evelyn’s POV

The music had stopped, but I could still feel the warmth of Nathaniel’s hand against my back.

I hated that feeling.

Not because it was unpleasant.

On the contrary.

That was precisely the problem.

I knew fear, anger, and suspicion. I knew how to recognize those emotions—they had been my constant companions during the final years of my first life.

But this strange sense of security…

I no longer recognized it.

I stepped off the dance floor and retrieved my bag.

Nathaniel followed me with his eyes, making no attempt to hold me back.

I walked up to him.

"Thank you for the dance."

"It wasn't just a dance."

I knit my brows. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He glanced briefly behind me. Ethan was still standing in the exact same spot.

"Nothing you don't already know."

I followed his gaze.

Ethan was watching us. His expression was icy.

Victoria stood beside him, though she seemed far more concerned with me than with her companion.

I smiled inwardly. They had no idea what was coming.

"I'm going home."

Nathaniel nodded. "I'll drive you."

"That's not necessary."

"I know."

I looked at him. "Then why insist?"

He held my gaze. "Because I'd rather know you made it back safe and sound."

My heart gave a small leap. I quickly averted my eyes.

"I can protect myself."

"I don't doubt it." He paused. "But you don't have to do everything alone."

Those words hit me deeper than they should have.

In my first life, I had done everything alone at the end.

I had begged for help.

No one came.

And now, this man I barely knew was telling me I didn't have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I swallowed hard. "Goodnight, Mr. Hayes."

"Goodnight, Evelyn."

I turned away.

I had only taken a few steps when a voice called out behind me.

"Evelyn!"

Ethan.

I kept walking.

"Evelyn, wait!"

I finally stopped. He caught up and stepped in front of me.

"Why did you leave with him?"

I looked at him, genuine surprise on my face. "I didn't leave with anyone."

"You know exactly what I mean."

"No, I don't."

He clenched his teeth. "Nathaniel Hayes."

I sighed. "What about him?"

"You know damn well who he is."

"Yes."

"He's my enemy."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's not my problem."

He fell silent for a moment. "Evelyn, he doesn't want anything good for you."

I almost laughed. "That's rich coming from you."

His expression shifted. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing."

I stepped past him. He grabbed my wrist.

I spun around instantly.

"Let go of me."

He released his grip, a look of shock crossing his face. I was no longer the woman who let others make decisions for her.

"Don't ever touch me without my consent again."

He stared at me for a long moment. "You're really serious."

"Dead serious."

"Do you hate me?"

I thought about it.

"No."

He looked relieved.

Then I added: "I simply don't feel anything anymore."

His face completely fell.

I left him standing there.

I got home around eleven o'clock.

I had barely set my bag down when my phone rang.

Emma.

"Are you home?"

"Yes."

"There's something you need to see."

I sat down on the sofa. "What is it?"

"Look at social media."

I opened an app immediately.

My face was on the front page. Then Nathaniel's.

It was a photograph of us during the dance, accompanied by a massive headline:

“Evelyn Sterling and Mysterious Billionaire Nathaniel Hayes: New Power Couple on the Horizon?”

I closed my eyes.

Perfect. Just what I needed.

"Emma…"

"I know. It's going to be all over the news tomorrow."

"It already is."

I sighed, then looked closely at the photo.

Nathaniel was looking at me with a strange expression—one the photographers had captured perfectly.

It looked as though he had known me for years.

I shook my head. "I'll handle it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

We hung up. A few seconds later, my phone vibrated.

Nathaniel: Sorry about the photos.

I smiled.

Me: You don't sound sorry.

His reply came almost instantly.

Nathaniel: You're right.

My jaw dropped, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself.

Then a second text appeared.

Nathaniel: They don't bother me.

I typed out a response, then deleted it. I didn't know what to say.

Finally, I kept it simple:

Me: Goodnight.

His reply came right back:

Nathaniel: Goodnight, Evelyn.

I put the phone down, my heart beating strangely fast.

I had to remind myself that this man was dangerous. Powerful. Mysterious.

And above all… I barely knew him.

By the next morning, the scandal was everywhere.

Reporters were waiting outside my agency. The moment I stepped out of my car, flashes exploded around me.

"Evelyn! Is Nathaniel Hayes your new boyfriend?"

"Did you break up with Ethan Blackwell for him?"

"How long have you two been together?"

"Are you planning to sign with Hayes International?"

I kept moving forward. I wasn't going to give them what they wanted.

Suddenly, a journalist shouted:

"Evelyn! Is it true that Ethan dumped you because you found out he was seeing another woman?"

I stopped dead in my tracks. My stomach dropped.

I looked at the reporter. "Who told you that?"

She smiled. "A source close to your circle."

A source. Of course.

I resumed walking, but a realization hit me. Someone was trying to control the narrative before I even had the chance to speak.

I stepped into the elevator. My agent was waiting for me.

"We have a problem."

"I know."

He handed me his phone—another article, this one far more damaging:

“Evelyn Sterling: High-Maintenance Actress or Breakup Victim?”

I skimmed through it quickly. Some details were outright fabrications, while others were deliberately twisted. It implied I had walked away from Ethan just to draw attention to myself, and that I was using Nathaniel to secure lucrative contracts.

I looked up. "Who is behind this?"

My agent hesitated. "I don't know."

I looked back at the screen. A picture of Victoria appeared in another article—she had been photographed leaving a restaurant with Ethan.

The headline read:

“A New Woman in Ethan Blackwell's Life?”

I understood immediately. Victoria was already playing her role. She wanted the world to see Ethan as the victim, and me as the villain.

I smiled.

Fine. If she wants to play, I'll play better.

"Daniel."

"Yes?"

"Call a press conference."

His eyes widened. "A press conference?"

"Yes."

"To address the rumors?"

"No." I handed his phone back. "I want to make an announcement."

"What announcement?"

I smiled. "My official return to cinema."

At three o'clock, the press conference began.

The room was packed. I took my seat behind the microphones, and questions immediately erupted from the room.

I raised a hand. Silence fell.

"I will be very clear." I looked directly into the camera lenses. "My private life is my own business."

A few reporters began to chime in, but I kept going.

"I have indeed ended a relationship." Flashes went off endlessly. "But that decision had nothing to do with another man."

I paused for effect.

"I also reject any rumors regarding my career. I do not need anyone's help to succeed."

My agent offered a faint smile behind me.

"I have been an actress for years. I will continue to work and build my career with or without a partner."

A journalist raised her hand. "What about Nathaniel Hayes?"

I looked at her. "Mr. Hayes is a man I respect."

"Are you together?"

"No."

"Could you see yourself together in the future?"

I offered a slight smile. "That question concerns only him and me."

The room buzzed with excitement. I stood up.

"Thank you."

I left the stage, but the moment I reached the hallway, my phone buzzed.

Nathaniel: Great response.

I smiled.

Me: Were you watching?

Nathaniel: Every single second.

I shook my head. This man was unbelievable.

Then another text came through.

Nathaniel: But you forgot one thing.

Me: What's that?

The reply appeared instantly:

Nathaniel: You said you weren't together.

I knit my brows. Then came a follow-up:

Nathaniel: I never said I wanted to stay single.

I froze, my heart racing.

Before I could reply, an urgent notification popped up:

Financial Alert: Transfer attempt detected on your investment account.

My smile evaporated. I tapped the notification immediately.

The amount was astronomical—someone had just tried to transfer millions of dollars.

And this time… the transaction had been authorized using my digital signature.

The blood drained from my face.

Impossible. I hadn't signed anything.

I rushed toward the exit to get to my lawyer. But before I could reach my car, an unknown number rang.

I picked up. "Hello?"

Silence.

Then a man's voice whispered softly:

"You should have accepted Ethan's proposal."

I went completely still. "Who are you?"

"Now, you're going to learn what happens to women who refuse to know their place."

The call cut out.

I stared at my phone in shock. A second later, a message arrived containing a photo.

I opened it—it was a picture of my house, taken from across the street.

Someone was watching me.

My blood ran cold.

Then a text followed:

“This is only the beginning.”

I slowly raised my eyes.

At the end of the street, a black car was parked. But before I could make out the driver, another vehicle pulled up sharply right in front of me.

The door swung open, and Nathaniel Hayes stepped out.

He looked at me, his expression shifting the moment he saw the look on my face.

"Evelyn?"

I handed him my phone.

He looked at the photo, and his features turned terrifyingly cold.

"Get in."

"What?"

"In my car."

"Nathaniel…"

He looked me straight in the eyes. "Someone just declared war on your family."

I swallowed hard. "My family?"

He shook his head slowly, his eyes hardening.

"No. On you."