Chapter 422: The Woman Behind Rosewood!!

Citadel City.

The Ivory House.

For the past twenty years, the grand presidential residence had been home to Maxwell Abbott and his family.

Long before Maxwell became President of the Republic of Haven, before elections, national speeches, military briefings and the endless responsibilities that came with leading a country, there had simply been Maxwell and Catherine.

He married Catherine five years before winning his first presidential election.

She had stood beside him through every stage of his political career, from the days when success still looked uncertain to the years when Maxwell became one of the longest serving presidents in Haven’s modern history.

While Maxwell handled the country...

Catherine handled the family empire.

The arrangement had worked surprisingly well.

One managed ministers, generals and foreign governments.

The other managed businesses, investments and everything Maxwell never had enough hours in the day to think about.

Together, they had two children.

Nicholas Abbott.

Twenty-three years old.

Handsome, charismatic and already a celebrity in his own right.

To most people, he was simply Nick, one of the most recognized young men in Haven and someone constantly appearing in entertainment news, motorsport events and social media feeds.

Then there was Evelyn Abbott.

Sixteen years old.

Elegant, clever and considerably calmer than her older brother.

Inside the Ivory House, however...

They were just siblings.

And siblings rarely cared about titles.

...

Nick walked through the upper corridor and stopped outside Evelyn’s room.

He knocked twice.

"My dear sister."

No answer.

Nick smiled.

"Are you ready yet?"

The door opened.

Evelyn stood there already dressed, holding a small handbag.

She stared at him.

"Brother."

Nick smiled brightly.

"Yes, my beloved little sister?"

"Stop calling me like that."

"Why?"

"It’s creepy."

Nick immediately placed a hand over his heart.

"My own sister doesn’t like her big brother anymore."

Evelyn walked past him.

"I’m sad."

"Stop being a child."

Nick followed.

"Are you ready?"

"I’ve been ready."

"Good. Aunt Vivienne is waiting for us."

Evelyn stopped and turned.

"Promise me something."

Nick became suspicious.

"What?"

"When we get there..."

She pointed at him.

"Eat like a human."

Nick stared.

"I always eat like a human."

"You absolutely don’t."

"I have manners."

"You almost fought me over the last dumpling last month."

Nick thought about it.

"You were taking too long."

Evelyn sighed.

"Just promise."

"Okay, okay."

Nick raised both hands.

"I’ll behave."

"Good."

They continued downstairs.

...

The Secret Service detail was already waiting outside.

Agents positioned around the entrance moved the moment the siblings appeared.

One opened the rear door.

Nick allowed Evelyn to enter first before getting inside beside her.

The vehicle pulled away from the Ivory House.

An agent touched his earpiece.

"Falcon and Dove are on the move."

A response immediately came through the radio.

"Copy that."

Evelyn looked toward Nick.

Nick was smiling.

"What?"

He leaned closer.

"Aren’t you excited?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"Of course I am."

She looked outside.

"It’s the only day every month we get Aunt Vivienne’s cooking."

Nick nodded seriously.

"True."

"We should be grateful she still makes time for us."

Nick slowly looked toward his sister.

Evelyn noticed.

"What?"

"When did my little sister become this mature?"

She narrowed her eyes.

Nick continued,

"Is there someone at school?"

Evelyn immediately turned away.

"Shut up."

Nick laughed.

"You know..."

She looked back.

"You should learn something from your friend."

"My friend?"

"He got married."

Nick blinked.

Evelyn continued,

"Dad praises him constantly."

"And you?"

She gestured toward him.

"You just keep showing your face to different girls."

Nick looked offended.

"Showing my face is part of my career."

"Sure."

Nick grinned.

"You mean Miles?"

Evelyn immediately became quiet.

Nick saw it.

Then his smile grew wider.

"Oh."

Evelyn gave him a warning look.

Nick leaned closer.

"Are you sad?"

"For what?"

"Didn’t you have a childhood crush on him?"

Evelyn’s face immediately changed.

"Brother!"

Nick burst into laughter.

"You did!"

"Shut up!"

Evelyn hit his arm.

"Ow!"

"You’re mean."

"Sorry, sorry."

She hit him again.

"Don’t hit me!"

The agents in the front pretended they couldn’t hear anything.

...

Several minutes later...

The vehicle slowed.

An agent spoke quietly into the radio.

"We have arrived at Rosewood."

A response came.

"Vesper is waiting for the guests."

"Copy that."

The gates opened.

The convoy entered the Rosewood estate.

...

Rosewood was quieter than the Ivory House.

It felt like a real home.

The moment Nick and Evelyn stepped out, the security team moved with them toward the entrance.

The door opened before they could knock.

Vivienne stood inside.

Evelyn smiled immediately.

"Good evening, Aunt Vivienne."

Vivienne’s expression softened.

"My dear."

She stepped forward.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you."

Nick raised a hand.

"Hi, Aunt Vivienne."

Vivienne looked him over.

Then smiled.

"Nick."

"What?"

"You’re completely grown now."

Nick laughed.

"I was grown last month too."

Vivienne ignored him.

"Are you dating anyone?"

Evelyn immediately spoke.

"Who would date him?"

Nick turned.

"Excuse me?"

Evelyn looked toward Vivienne.

"He’s just a show-off."

Nick placed a hand over his chest.

"I have a few girlfriends."

Evelyn stared.

"Few?"

Nick froze.

She shook her head.

"Characterless."

"Ouch."

Vivienne laughed.

"Come inside."

She gestured toward the dining room.

"I made both of your favorite dishes."

Nick’s expression immediately changed.

"Aunt, you’re the best."

Evelyn sighed.

"Didn’t you just promise?"

Nick looked at her.

"I promised to behave."

"Exactly."

"I haven’t eaten anything yet."

"Yet."

Vivienne laughed again.

"Come on, both of you."

...

Dinner began warmly.

For some time, the conversation remained ordinary.

School.

Nick’s recent events.

Catherine’s business trip.

Maxwell’s schedule.

Then Vivienne looked toward Nick.

"I heard you’re building a Formula One track in Star Harbor."

Nick immediately smiled.

"Yes."

"Really?"

"It was our dream."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

"Our?"

"Mine and Miles’."

"Miles?"

Nick nodded.

"Miles Sterling."

Vivienne’s expression changed only slightly.

"The businessman?"

"Yes."

Nick smiled.

"He’s my buddy."

He looked toward her.

"You know him?"

"I’ve heard a few things."

Vivienne calmly cut into her food.

"Apparently your father is planning to give him a medal."

Evelyn looked up immediately.

"A medal?"

Vivienne nodded.

"Yes."

Evelyn’s curiosity became obvious.

"Then he’s coming to Citadel?"

"He’ll have to."

Nick leaned back.

"Well, I’m not surprised."

Vivienne looked toward him.

"Why?"

"Because Miles always ends up doing something insane."

Vivienne smiled faintly.

"I heard he contributed significantly to the recent uncovering of the WEB network."

Nick nodded proudly.

"He’s amazing."

Vivienne observed him carefully.

"How did you meet him?"

Nick paused.

"What?"

"Miles."

Vivienne smiled.

"You speak like you’ve known him forever."

Nick thought back.

"Father introduced us."

"When?"

"We were teenagers."

Vivienne remained casual.

"Why?"

"Nothing complicated."

Nick shrugged.

"Father told me to spend some time with him."

"We talked."

"Then somehow..."

He smiled.

"We became friends."

Vivienne studied his face.

Nick noticed.

"Why are you so interested, Aunt?"

Vivienne immediately smiled.

"Nothing."

She picked up her glass.

"Your father has never spoken much about him to me."

Then added,

"And now this young businessman suddenly turns out to be an Honorary General."

Nick laughed.

Vivienne continued,

"It almost sounds like your father was secretly training him."

"Maybe."

Nick shrugged.

"But Miles doesn’t really live like that anymore."

"He has a family now."

"A normal life."

Vivienne became attentive again.

"You’ve met his family?"

Nick thought.

"I was at his wedding."

Evelyn looked toward him.

Nick continued,

"But everyone was busy."

"I didn’t get some formal introduction with everyone."

Vivienne nodded slowly.

Evelyn suddenly placed her spoon down.

"Aunt."

Vivienne looked toward her.

"Can we not talk about him?"

Nick’s smile immediately appeared.

Vivienne glanced between them.

Nick leaned toward her.

"Yes."

He nodded solemnly.

"Otherwise you’ll make her sad."

Evelyn turned.

"Brother."

Nick immediately leaned away.

"Not again."

She reached toward him.

He blocked her hand.

Vivienne chuckled.

"Alright."

"No fighting at my table."

She looked toward Evelyn.

"Tell me about school."

The conversation moved on.

Or at least...

It appeared to.

...

After dinner, the siblings prepared to leave.

Vivienne personally walked them toward the entrance.

"Visit again next month."

Evelyn smiled.

"We will."

Nick nodded.

"Especially if you’re cooking."

Evelyn stepped on his shoe.

"Ow."

Vivienne laughed.

The agents escorted both siblings toward their vehicle.

Soon, the convoy left Rosewood.

...

Inside the car...

Evelyn remained quiet for several minutes.

Then she looked toward Nick.

"Dad told us not to talk about Miles too much."

Nick’s playful expression disappeared.

"I know."

"You told her too much."

"I didn’t tell her anything important."

Evelyn stared at him.

Nick continued,

"Did you notice how she was asking questions?"

"Yes."

"About Dad too."

Evelyn nodded.

"She always asks things about him."

Nick looked out the window.

"Thanks for changing the topic."

Evelyn smiled proudly.

"I’m clever."

"Very."

She crossed her arms.

"I’m the one who takes after Dad."

Nick slowly turned toward her.

Evelyn continued,

"You don’t have any of his traits."

Nick narrowed his eyes.

She looked completely serious.

"Sometimes I wonder if you were adopted."

Nick stared.

Then laughed.

"Now that hurts."

Evelyn smiled and looked outside again.

...

Back at Rosewood...

The warm expression on Vivienne’s face disappeared the moment the presidential convoy left the estate.

She walked back into the sitting room.

Her phone was already vibrating.

She glanced at the number.

Then answered.

"What the hell was that?"

Her voice had completely changed.

Cold.

Sharp.

There was silence from the other end.

Vivienne continued,

"We lost contact with the entire team."

She walked toward the window.

"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to gather soldiers who are already dead on paper?"

Bjorn’s voice came through.

"I know."

"No, you don’t."

Vivienne turned.

"Who the hell is this Ivy girl?"

Bjorn became quiet.

Vivienne continued,

"You were willing to risk an entire unit for one teenager."

"Why?"

"And what exactly is her background?"

Bjorn finally answered.

"She’s important."

Vivienne’s expression hardened.

"That’s not an answer."

"If it weren’t for your President..."

Bjorn’s tone became bitter.

"...none of this would have happened."

Vivienne laughed coldly.

"My President?"

"You created this problem yourself."

Bjorn ignored the comment.

"What about his children?"

Vivienne’s eyes narrowed.

"Did you get close to them?"

She almost laughed.

"Who do you think I am, Bjorn?"

Vivienne looked toward the dining room where Nick and Evelyn had been sitting minutes earlier.

"For your information..."

"His children call me Aunt."

She slowly walked toward Evelyn’s empty chair.

"They’ve been my guests for dinner every month for years."

Bjorn became silent.

Vivienne placed one hand on the chair.

"His daughter is clever."

A strange smile appeared.

"But..."

Her expression changed.

Coldness replaced every trace of affection.

"If I ever need to..."

Her fingers tightened around the chair.

"...I can have my hand around her neck before Maxwell even realizes something is wrong."

Bjorn replied,

"Good."

Vivienne’s eyes narrowed.

"Don’t sound so pleased."

Bjorn continued,

"Let’s stick to the plan."

A pause.

"As I promised..."

"I’ll give you what you want."

Vivienne smiled without warmth.

"Really?"

She walked away from the chair.

"I don’t like playing losing games, Bjorn."

Her voice became colder.

"First prove you’re still useful."

"Then we’ll talk about what you promised me."

She ended the call before he could answer.

Vivienne tossed the phone onto the table.

For several seconds...

She simply stood there.

Then someone knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A woman entered.

Vivienne turned immediately.

"Tell me you have good news, Nadia."

Nadia hesitated.

"I couldn’t find much."

Vivienne’s expression darkened.

"Why?"

"There are restrictions."

"What kind of restrictions?"

Nadia stepped forward and placed a tablet on the table.

"The information concerning Miles Sterling and his immediate family has been sealed."

Vivienne stared at her.

"Sealed?"

"Completely."

"By whom?"

Nadia looked at her.

"President Maxwell."

Vivienne became quiet.

"What do we have?"

"Almost nothing useful."

Nadia continued,

"No private address."

"No unrestricted identification records."

"No detailed family files."

"Several images in government systems are classified."

Vivienne frowned.

"We don’t even have his face?"

"Not through the databases we control."

Nadia shook her head.

"We could try to access the sealed records, but the authorization trail would immediately alert the President’s internal security system."

Vivienne’s eyes narrowed.

"So if we touch anything..."

"Maxwell knows."

"Yes."

"And if we attempt to use government systems around him..."

"He’ll know."

Nadia nodded.

Vivienne leaned back.

"What game are you playing, Max?"

She smiled faintly.

"Is that boy your own son or something?"

Nadia remained silent.

After a moment, she continued,

"There is one opportunity."

Vivienne looked toward her.

"The medal ceremony."

"What about it?"

"Sterling is expected to attend."

Nadia paused.

"With his family."

Vivienne’s eyes slowly changed.

"You are also invited."

A smile appeared.

"Am I?"

"Yes."

Vivienne leaned back comfortably.

"Then prepare a bouquet."

Nadia blinked.

"A bouquet?"

"From me."

Vivienne smiled.

"I would love to congratulate this young hero personally."

She looked toward the dark window.

"Let’s finally see the person who’s been interfering with our plans."

Nadia nodded.

"Understood."

Vivienne’s smile slowly disappeared.

"No rushed moves."

"No unnecessary risks."

"We wait."

Her eyes became cold again.

"For the right moment."

Then...

"We act."

Nadia lowered her head.

"Understood, Miss Vice President."

Vivienne looked back toward the road where Nick and Evelyn’s convoy had disappeared.

The house had become quiet again.

Almost peaceful.

As if nothing had happened.

To be continued...