Chapter 25

Nathan Evans sat by the floor-to-ceiling window of the French restaurant, the crystal chandelier casting a soft glow. His slender fingers idly swirled the wine glass, but his gaze remained fixed on his phone screen.

Chloe Valentine noticed his sudden change in expression and set down her fork. "What's wrong?"

Nathan didn't answer, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the phone.

He typed rapidly: [Not my problem.]

Ethan Winston studied the message, amusement flickering in his eyes: [So you and Evelyn Langley are really over this time?]

Nathan stared at the screen, his Adam's apple bobbing: [Got a problem with that?]

Ethan sent a surrender emoji: [Wouldn't dare]

Followed by another message: [So you wouldn't mind if someone pursued her?]

Julian Roscente suddenly chimed in: [You're making a move?]

Ethan replied leisurely: [Mhm]

Dylan Lowell: [LOL this is getting good]

Julian: [You're serious?]

No one in the group took it seriously.

Nathan scoffed: [Do whatever you want.]

Ethan pocketed his phone, satisfied.

He wondered if someone would regret this later.

......

"Thanks for celebrating my birthday with me."

At 9 PM, Nathan walked Chloe to her dorm.

The girl clung to his sleeve, unwilling to let go. "Do we have to say goodbye so soon?" She tilted her face up, batting her dewy eyes. "Aren't you sad at all?"

Under the streetlight, her long lashes cast delicate shadows, her pouty lips glistening.

Nathan ruffled her hair. "You have class tomorrow. Get some rest."

Disappointment flashed in Chloe's eyes before she nodded obediently. "Okay, I'll head up now."

Thirty minutes later, Nathan sat in the driver's seat, staring at the fork ahead.

Left led home.

Right led to the bar district.

Raindrops suddenly splattered against the windshield, blurring his view.

In the rearview mirror, a cashmere blanket lay crumpled on the backseat—the one Chloe had used earlier.

He remembered how Evelyn always complained his car was too cold, dragging him out to buy that blanket.

After their breakup, it had remained neatly folded.

Today, someone else had used it.

A honk startled him.

The light turned green. He slammed the accelerator and veered right.

At the bar entrance, he tossed his keys to the valet.

The manager fawned as he approached. "Mr. Evans, Mr. Winston and the others are in the VIP lounge upstairs."

Nathan strode straight up.

When he pushed open the private room door, the stench of alcohol hit him.

Several drunken figures sprawled across the couches.