New beginning: Billionaire love story

Winnie parked her car outside the psychiatric ward, the familiar building looming ahead. She gripped the steering wheel tightly for a moment, trying to steady her nerves. Her thoughts had been swirling ever since Claire Peterson hired her for this undercover role.

The money was significant, more than she had ever seen for such work, but the risk was equally daunting. Every time she walked through those doors, she reminded herself of Claire's promise to ensure her safety. But what if that promise couldn't be kept?

She sighed, grabbed her bag, and stepped out of the car. As she approached the entrance, her heels clicked against the pavement, the sound oddly magnified in the quiet parking lot. Her mind replayed the questions she still couldn't answer:

Who was Evelyn? What connection did she have to Lisa Thompson? And, most importantly, what was Lisa planning?

Winnie's resolve wavered briefly. She had already decided that if things got too dangerous, she would pull herself out, regardless of the consequences.

Inside the building, the guards greeted her with nods of recognition. Winnie flashed her fake ID badge, offering a polite smile. They had grown accustomed to seeing "Dr. Johnson" around the ward, making her infiltration easier. However, the act didn't lessen the weight of her nerves as she signed in at the visitor's log. Every time she wrote her name, a part of her wondered if she would be caught.

"Morning, Dr. Johnson," one of the guards said as she walked by.

"Morning," she replied, keeping her voice light but professional.

The hallways of the ward were stark and clinical, the muted colors and fluorescent lights doing little to ease her unease. Winnie's footsteps echoed as she made her way to the common area where Lisa Thompson spent most of her time. Sure enough, Lisa was sitting on the couch, watching a rerun of an old sitcom on the television. Her posture was relaxed, but there was something unsettling about the way she carried herself.

Taking a deep breath, Winnie plastered on her best therapist smile and approached. "Good morning, Lisa," she greeted warmly.

Lisa turned her head slowly, her gaze locking onto Winnie's with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. Then she smiled-bright, wide, and utterly unsettling. "Dr. Johnson," she said, her voice cheerful but somehow carrying an undercurrent of something darker. "I was wondering when you'd come back. I've missed our little chats."

Winnie forced herself to maintain the facade, though every instinct screamed at her to turn and leave. "I'm here now," she replied, sitting down on the couch next to Lisa but leaving a noticeable gap between them. "How have you been, Lisa?"

Lisa leaned back, resting her elbow on the back of the couch and tilting her head to study Winnie. "Oh, I've been... fine. Bored mostly. But I kept thinking about you. I wondered if you'd forgotten about me.' Winnie shook her head with a polite smile. "Of course not. I've just been dealing with some personal matters."

Lisa's smile didn't falter, but there was something unnervingly knowing in her eyes. "Personal matters, hmm? I suppose even doctors have their troubles. What's bothering you, Dr. Johnson?"

Caught off guard, Winnie hesitated. She wasn't sure how to deflect the question without raising suspicion. "Nothing serious," she said smoothly. "Just the usual stresses of life.'

Lisa leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "You know, I'm very good at reading people. It's a little talent of mine. And you, Dr. Johnson... you seem tense. Like you're carrying a heavy burden."

Winnie's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral. "That's very insightful of you, Lisa," she said, deflecting the comment. "But we're here to talk about you today."

Lisa chuckled softly, the sound low and unsettling. "Of course we are. You always like to keep the focus on me. But what if, just for once, we talked about you? You seem like someone with secrets. Winnie's grip on her notebook tightened. "Everyone has secrets, Lisa. It's part of being human."

Lisa's eyes sparkled with mischief. "True. But some secrets are heavier than others. Don't you think?" Winnie took a steadying breath, determined to regain control of the conversation. "Why don't you tell me about Evelyn? You mentioned her before, but we haven't really discussed who she is."

Lisa's smile widened, but her gaze turned calculating. "Ah, Evelyn. Such a fascinating person, isn't she? But why are you so curious about her, Dr. Johnson?"

Winnie's mind raced. She needed to tread carefully. "I'm curious because she seems important to you, and understanding your relationships helps me understand you better."

Lisa tilted her head, studying Winnie like a predator sizing up its prey. "She is important to me," she said slowly. "But I think you already know that. Or maybe... you're hoping to find out something else?"

Winnie forced a laugh, though it sounded hollow even to her ears. "I'm just trying to help, Lisa. That's all." Lisa leaned back, her expression turning thoughtful. "Evelyn is... special. She's not like the others. She listens. She understands me in ways that most people can't."noveldrama

"Is she a relative?" Winnie asked, trying to sound casual.

Lisa's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Why do you ask? Are you trying to figure out if she's someone you should be worried about?"

Winnie's heart pounded, but she kept her composure. "Not at all. I just want to understand the people who matter to you."

Lisa's gaze bore into her, unblinking. "Evelyn isn't someone you need to worry about, Dr. Johnson. But maybe... you should worry about yourself."

The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Winnie felt a chill run down her spine, but she forced herself to remain calm. "What do you mean by that, Lisa?"

Lisa's smile returned, wide and unsettling. "Nothing at all. Just a thought. Now, let's talk about something else. Like how much fun we're going to have during our next session."

Winnie nodded, though her mind was racing. She needed to report this conversation to Claire as soon as possible. Lisa was playing a game, and Winnie wasn't sure if she was winning or losing. But one thing was clear: she was running out of time to find the answers she

needed.

A knock at the door snapped him out of his thoughts. Taking a deep breath, André straightened his posture before crossing the room to answer. It was a bellboy, holding a crisp white envelope.

"Mr. André, this was left for you at the front desk," the bellboy said, handing over the envelope with a polite bow.

"Thank you," André murmured,

slipping the bellboy a tip before

closing the door. He turned the envelope over in his hands, noting the lack of markings or sender information. Breaking the seat, he unfolded the single sheet of paper inside.

The message was typed in bold letters:

"Do not forget who you're doing this for. Keep your focus, and remember-failure is not an option."

André's stomach churned as he

crumpled the paper in his fist.

iel

Eligos's shadow was everywhere, a constant reminder that he wasn't just being watched-he was being controlled. Setting the note aside, André ran a hand through his hair, forcing himself to focus. He didn't have the luxury of falling apart. Not here.

Not now.