Chapter 156

Nathan Blackwood seized Evelyn Sinclair's blood-smeared wrist, his voice rough with concern. "Whose blood is this?"

Evelyn jerked her arm free, avoiding his piercing gaze. "Not mine," she said curtly.

Without another word, she slid into her Lamborghini and turned the ignition. The police could handle the aftermath - she'd rather face a firing squad than spend another minute with Nathan.

His stormy eyes tracked her movements, jaw tightening at her icy dismissal.

Harrison finished restraining the assailant and rushed over. "Ms. Sterling, you should get checked at the hospital." His genuine concern made Evelyn soften.

"I'm fine, Harrison." She offered him a small smile. In those three miserable years of marriage, Harrison had been the only one who treated her with respect, never looking down on her like the rest of Nathan's circle.

Harrison frowned. "You're in shock. Let me call a driver for you."

Evelyn hesitated. She didn't trust herself behind the wheel right now, but waiting seemed equally unappealing.

Before Harrison could suggest an alternative, he suddenly stiffened under Nathan's glacial stare. The unspoken threat hung in the air like a guillotine blade.

Harrison cleared his throat. "Perhaps... President Blackwood could drive you home while I secure the suspect?"

The death glare lifted. Harrison exhaled in relief, feeling like he'd narrowly escaped career suicide.

"Have Nathan drive me?" Evelyn scoffed. "I'd rather wrestle another dozen armed criminals!"

Her engine sputtered and died.

She tried restarting it. Nothing. "Impossible. Archibald just imported this from Italy last week."

Harrison peered at the dashboard. "Ms. Sterling... you're out of gas."

"What the hell?!"

Nathan's lips curled into a mocking smirk as he slid into his custom Bentley. Harrison swallowed hard. "It's getting late. Please ride with us."

Evelyn shook her head, reaching for her phone. "I'll call Bennett."

At that moment, her phone buzzed with Emily Whitaker's caller ID. "Evelyn! We did it! The neural interface works perfectly - three-second full-body diagnostics with 99.9% accuracy! We've cracked the CNS integration!"

Evelyn's breath caught. This breakthrough in AI-assisted medicine could revolutionize healthcare worldwide. No more hospital queues, just instant, precise health assessments. Her fingers trembled with excitement.

Meanwhile, Nathan received the same update. His eyes lit with the same fervor - this project could change humanity's future.

"Harrison, I'm heading to Dominic's office," Nathan ordered.

"Understood, sir."

Evelyn threw her keys to Harrison. "I'm coming too." Professional curiosity overrode personal animosity. History was being made tonight.

She yanked open Nathan's passenger door and buckled up. "Drive."

Nathan drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, studying her with deliberate slowness. "Evelyn..."