Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2542

Eugene remained unmoved, his expression icy. “My first love never had a habit like that.”

Vivian let out a few coy, pleading whimpers, her face the picture of fragile innocence. “Mr. Winters, do you think I wanted any of this? I didn’t have a choice. My dad’s disabled, my mom died when I was four… I just wanted a normal life, maybe even finish school—”

“Enough.” Eugene cut her off, voice sharp. “You can drop the sob story. I’ve heard it all before.”

Vivian didn’t flinch at being exposed. She kept up the act, voice soft and pitiful. “Then what do you want me to do, Mr. Winters?”

Eugene’s gaze sharpened. “Do you know Harry?”

Vivian froze, caught off guard.

Eugene snapped a photo of the bottle in his hand, making sure to get Vivian in the frame as well. His tone was crisp and detached. “Do me a favor, and I’ll pretend I never saw any of this.”

Vivian had been working the Blue Oasis for years; she wasn’t stupid. A quick calculation and she caught on, forcing a wry smile. “Setting me up, are you, Mr. Winters?”

A faint smile played on Eugene’s refined features. “A trap only works if you walk into it.”

Vivian asked, “So what do you want me to do?”

Eugene crossed his legs and leaned back into the sofa, his face slipping into shadow, the lines of his jaw suddenly cold and menacing. “That so-called first love I mentioned? Harry took her from me. I can’t stand him. I don’t ever want to see him in this city again.”

Vivian’s eyes flickered, her smile tight and insincere. “I don’t have that kind of power.”

Eugene’s gaze was steady, unyielding. “I think you do.”

He turned the glass bottle in his hand, his voice cool and almost gentle. “If you don’t, well… you’ll have to explain to the police how you got this little item, Miss Vivian.”

Vivian clenched her jaw. “Fine, I’ll help you, Mr. Winters. Not gonna lie—I’ve been wanting to get rid of him myself.”

Harry was broke now. She’d already heard.

At last, Eugene’s lips curved in a genuine smile. “Perfect.”

He pressed the glass bottle into Vivian’s hand and stood. “By tomorrow night at the latest, I want good news, Miss Vivian. Can you do it?”

“I was just about to go to bed. Is something wrong?” Sylvia asked.

“It’s all sorted. We should have an answer by tomorrow night,” Eugene replied.

“So fast?” Sylvia laughed, sounding genuinely relieved. “You’ve worked hard!”

“Not at all. I’m happy to help you in any way I can.” Eugene glanced out at the quiet darkness beyond the window, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously. “I won’t keep you up. Get some sleep and sweet dreams.”

“Thanks. You, too—don’t stay up too late.”

Eugene waited until Sylvia hung up before ending the call himself.

The glow from the garden lights played softly over his features, making him look gentle and approachable—like a warm breeze on a spring night, enough to make anyone’s heart flutter.

He hadn’t gone into the office these past two days, but now that Harry’s problem was nearly handled, he figured he’d get a head start on some paperwork before bed. As he opened the door to his study, however, a faint sound reached his ears—someone crying quietly.

He stepped into the hall to investigate, only to find a young maid standing frozen a few yards away. Just beyond her stood his younger brother, Aries Winters, calmly aiming an air rifle at her.