Chapter 26

Phantom guided Monster and Evelyn Sinclair offstage after their electrifying performance. Evelyn's lips curved into a radiant smile as she descended the steps with effortless grace.

Thank God I haven't lost my touch. That went better than expected.

Phantom and Monster trailed behind her, their faces glowing with exhilaration.

Monster suddenly clapped Evelyn's shoulder with enthusiasm. "Little Evelyn, why don't you make it official and join our band? We'd gladly kick Demon out for you!"

Evelyn ducked her head with an amused chuckle. "If Demon heard that, he'd probably storm out of his hospital bed just to fight you."

Monster's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Performing with you tonight was incredible. You composed this song after all - besides Demon, no one else can match our rhythm like you do. It's like you never left us three years ago."

A pang of nostalgia shot through Evelyn's chest.

She'd missed out on so much life's vibrancy these past three years. But it wasn't too late to reclaim what she'd lost.

Monster continued his enthusiastic persuasion. "Imagine the impact we'd make if you joined permanently! We'd revolutionize the entire music scene!"

Just as Evelyn opened her mouth to decline, Natalie Beaumont approached with a knowing smile. "Give it up, you two. Evelyn's about to make her grand comeback!"

The moment Natalie whisked Evelyn backstage, Isabella Montgomery nearly tackled her in an enthusiastic embrace. "Evelyn darling, you were absolutely divine! My goddess! Did you see how the crowd reacted? Your violin skills are otherworldly!"

Evelyn gently disentangled herself from Isabella's bear hug. "I owe it all to Sebastian's brilliant arrangement. He made tonight unforgettable."

Assuming Nathan Blackwood and Tristan Whitmore had already left, the three women returned to the VIP section. To their surprise, both men remained seated beside the Hart brothers, their gazes locking onto Evelyn with unsettling intensity the moment she appeared. Isabella scoffed and dragged Evelyn toward Sebastian. "Let's play something. This atmosphere is ruined by certain unwelcome presences."

Sebastian shrugged with an easy smile. "Why not? The night's still young!"

Downstairs, the crowd chanted for The Lunatics' encore.

"I never knew Evelyn could play violin. How come I never heard about this?" Tristan's curiosity got the better of him, his expression genuinely shocked.

Evelyn had commanded the stage with regal confidence, captivating every audience member like a queen holding court.

"Why would we tell you? Who do you think you are?" Isabella shot back with a glare. Tristan recoiled but quickly masked it with nonchalance. "Weren't you the one who wanted to play? How about poker dice?"

"Who'd want to play with you?" Isabella sneered, still harboring resentment on Evelyn's behalf.

Nathan, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke in that deep, commanding voice. "Evelyn, are you afraid to play just one game with us?"

His piercing gaze hadn't left Evelyn since she'd returned.

Evelyn swirled her wine glass absently, her expression one of detached indifference as if they were beneath her notice.

Nathan suppressed his astonishment. The Evelyn before him felt simultaneously familiar and utterly foreign. Complex emotions churned in his chest, impossible to decipher.

When addressed, Evelyn lifted her chin with cool composure, meeting Nathan's gaze with a faint, challenging smile. "What exactly should I be afraid of?"

Though Nathan's challenge surprised her, fear was the last thing she felt. They were strangers now - what harm could a simple game do?

Isabella protested immediately. "Evelyn, don't indulge him! He's just trying to provoke you!"

Natalie gently pulled Isabella aside, watching the former couple with keen interest. "Relax, Evelyn knows what she's doing."

Nathan Blackwood, raised in elite society, treated social games as second nature. Poker dice was child's play for him - a guaranteed victory. Tristan couldn't hide his smug anticipation from the sidelines.

As the waiter prepared the gaming table for their face-off, Evelyn remained motionless. Instead of taking her seat, she fixed Nathan with a level gaze and posed the crucial question: "What are we playing for?"