The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 47

**TITLE: Dreams Rise Again by Braxton**
**Chapter 47**

The climactic moment of that swimming relay had arrived, a pivotal point that could determine everything. It was a scenario where a team could snatch victory from the very jaws of defeat or, in the blink of an eye, lose their hard-won lead.

This was precisely why the anchor swimmer was typically the powerhouse of the team—someone with the kind of explosive energy capable of turning the tide in their favor. At that very moment, locating the elusive Evan had become the singular focus of their efforts; every fleeting second was crucial.

Nina could almost feel the weight of the responsibility pressing down on her shoulders, a tangible pressure that made her heart race. This was not just about winning gold medals; it was about national pride and glory. There was no room for error, and the stakes had never been higher.

With a furrowed brow, she turned to Mr. Warren, her voice steady but urgent. “Mr. Warren, could you please show me where Evan was last seen?”

Tony, his expression grave, responded, “Evan was last spotted at the entrance of the swim center yesterday evening, around eight o’clock.”

Nina quickly made her way back to her dorm to gather the Squirrel Bros, her trusty companions, before heading to the swim center alongside Tony and the police.

As they settled into the squad car, Shawn, always curious, asked, “Mr. Warren, what’s Evan like when he’s not in the pool?”

Nina leaned in, eager to absorb every detail, her heart racing with anticipation.

Tony hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor as memories flooded back. Finally, he spoke, “Evan’s a good kid. His family has never had much. His incredible talent for swimming was discovered purely by chance—he jumped into the river to save someone.”

Nina’s interest piqued as Tony continued, “When Evan was just sixteen, he was by the river collecting bottles to earn a little pocket money. Out of nowhere, three people were swept away by the current. Without a moment’s hesitation, he dove in and rescued all three of them in one go.”

She could hardly believe what she was hearing. ‘Evan saved three lives at once? That’s unbelievable! Rescuing someone from drowning is incredibly risky—one misstep, and he could have drowned himself. He’s not just strong; he’s incredibly brave and selfless.’

Tony’s admiration for Evan was palpable as he added, “Evan’s a beast in training—always the first to arrive and the last to leave. He’s genuinely grateful, especially to his loyal fans.”

Nina marveled at this new side of Evan. ‘How could someone as kind and hardworking as him just vanish? He must have been caught up in something serious.’

The squad car rolled to a halt at the swim center’s entrance, and Shawn pulled up the security footage for Nina to review. “Evan walked out the front gate at 8:13 last night and headed east along the road. After that, he disappeared into a blind spot—off camera.”

Nina’s attention was fixed on the screen, her pulse quickening.

In the footage, Evan was clad in a white training outfit, his demeanor relaxed as he stepped out of the center. He paused by the roadside, seemingly waiting for a ride. Then, his phone rang, and as he answered, his expression shifted to one of stress and anxiety. He glanced around nervously before bolting off to the east.

Shawn pointed towards the east on the screen. “He vanished from the surveillance cameras at an alley entrance about a mile away, right at a blind spot.”

Nina’s mind raced with possibilities. “We need to find out who called him and what was said. That must have changed everything for him.”

She coaxed the Squirrel Bros out of their carrier, her voice filled with encouragement. “Alright, little guys, can you help me sniff out any rats or mice in the area?”

To expedite their investigation, Shawn had brought along color printouts of Evan for identification purposes.

The others behind him shared the same worried expressions, their tall, ripped bodies still glistening with moisture—an undeniably attractive sight, but their concern overshadowed any admiration.

One swimmer exclaimed, “The news is already trending number one!”

Another chimed in, “People online are saying the most awful things.”

A third voice added, “Seriously, they have no evidence! Why are they spreading such nasty rumors?”

Nina quickly pulled out her phone, her heart sinking as she scrolled through the trending hashtags: [Evan Missing From Team Practice] and [Evan No Show At Brand Event].

It turned out that the swim team had an early training session that morning, and Evan was also scheduled to attend a sports brand’s promotional event at 11:30 AM. But with him missing, he had no-showed both, leaving no trace and no explanation.

With Evan’s sudden disappearance, speculation ran rampant online—everyone had their own wild theories about what could have happened. The most sensational rumor suggested that Evan had become entangled in some scandalous romance, whisked away by a wealthy “sugar mama.”

This gossip exploded after some paparazzi captured a frantic Evan rushing out of the back door of an upscale sports club. Moments later, a woman in oversized sunglasses and a designer handbag followed closely behind him.

While the woman’s face was obscured, Evan’s expression of panic was unmistakable.

According to the rumors, that sports club was notoriously exclusive—entry required proof of assets worth at least twenty million dollars.