Chapter 26

Nathan Evans pushed open the door to find Ethan Winston alone in the private room.

"Rare guest." Ethan arched an eyebrow. "Thought you were busy with your girlfriend?"

"Took her back to the dorm." Nathan sat casually, his gaze sweeping the empty couch.

Ethan swirled his red wine. "Burgundy. Care for a taste?"

He poured a glass and handed it over.

Nathan took a sip. "Decent."

"Where's Evelyn Langley?" The question sounded casual.

Ethan smirked knowingly. "Came specifically for her?"

"Passing by." Nathan's expression remained cool. "Just asking."

"Ran into her in the hallway earlier. Had a couple drinks and left." Ethan shrugged. "Probably couldn't stand the atmosphere."

The faintest hint of a smile touched Nathan's lips.

He set down his glass and stood. "Meeting tomorrow. I'm leaving. Tonight's on me."

Ethan watched him go with complicated eyes.

"Sorry about this," he murmured to himself.

......

In another booth, Sophia Laurent lay unconscious from intoxication.

Evelyn called a designated driver to take her best friend home first, then hailed a cab for herself.

A sudden downpour made the driver refuse to enter the narrow alley.

She stood at the alley's entrance, raindrops dampening her hair.

"Evelyn."

That familiar voice made her turn.

Adrian Klein approached with an umbrella, his casual attire making him look years younger.

"Planning to get soaked?" He frowned.

She nodded.

"Take it." He thrust the umbrella into her hands.

"What about you?"

"I'll borrow one across the street."

She watched Adrian enter the notoriously difficult Sichuan restaurant opposite and emerge moments later with another umbrella.

"Fixed their wiring once," he explained briefly.

Through the curtain of rain, they walked single file.

The aged streetlamp cast dimmer light in the storm.

Thunder rumbled, making Evelyn instinctively quicken her pace.

She noticed Adrian maintained perfect distance—

Close enough to ease her nerves, yet not so near as to discomfort her.

"Keeping up?" He suddenly turned back.

"Yeah." Her reply was soft.

By the time they reached her place, her pant cuffs were soaked through.

After a hot shower, Evelyn sat staring at her medicine bowl.

Her mind replayed the image of that figure who'd sheltered her from the storm.