Chapter 286

"Explain yourself. Was it you—"

Chloe Valentine shrank back. "No... Nathan, you're hurting me..."

Nathan Evans yanked her nightgown collar with a cold laugh. "Then how do you explain this? Only someone experienced could be this skilled."

He still remembered that strange night. One moment he'd been holding Evelyn Langley, the next he woke up to find Chloe in his arms.

He'd blamed it on drunken confusion—never imagining it was all an elaborate scheme.

Rage burned in Nathan's eyes.

"You're digging your own grave!" He hauled Chloe up violently. "Get out! Now!"

A sudden wave of heat surged through him.

He staggered, his Adam's apple bobbing rapidly.

Something was wrong.

Nathan's pupils constricted—this sensation was unmistakably...

"You fucking drugged me?!"

Chloe avoided his gaze, fingers twisting her clothes.

"Who gave you the right?!"

His breathing grew ragged, eyes tinged crimson.

Chloe wiped her tears and stepped closer. "Nathan...you must be suffering..."

Nathan glared icily.

"Let me help you." She bit her lip. "I'll do anything..."

Her fingers moved to unbutton her nightgown.

"Even if you pretend I'm her...even if you call her name...I don't care."

Her voice broke with desperate courage.

"What she won't do, I will. What she won't give, I'll give."

The pitiful words earned only a scornful laugh.

"A stand-in? You?" Nathan sneered. "You're not fit to lick her boots."

"You drugged me, now play the saint. Have you no shame?"

"Calling you a dog insults dogs!"

The vicious words cut deep, but Chloe remained unfazed.

Her bare skin pressed against his chest as she whispered in his ear:

"Let me help you...just like our first time..."

Her floral scent momentarily soothed the fire in his veins.

Nathan's breath hitched.

Seeing his dazed expression, Chloe smiled.

Why waste time when it was this easy?

"Nathan..." She cupped his face.

Their eyes met—her reflection swimming in his darkened gaze.

Her lips parted, inching closer...

At the last second, Nathan shoved her away.

No trace of intoxication remained in his piercing stare.