Chapter 265

A rich chuckle echoed through the moonlit jungle. The sound was warm and inviting against the eerie silence of the wilderness.

Adrian's eyes sparkled with mischief. "That's my little secret," he teased, making Evelyn roll her eyes. Still, his playful demeanor eased the tension coiling in her chest.

Following close behind him, Evelyn felt an unexpected connection to this stranger. His presence was oddly comforting in this terrifying place.

She reached out without thinking, her fingers brushing against his tattooed forearm. The skin was sun-kissed and firm beneath her touch.

"Are you cold?" she asked, already shrugging off her jacket. "You can have this."

His hand caught hers mid-motion. "I'm fine," Adrian said with a small smile. Evelyn nodded, suddenly remembering Leo curled up in her pocket.

"I'm Evelyn Sinclair," she offered. The name made Adrian stiffen slightly. He turned with sudden interest.

"Alexander Sterling's sister?"

Evelyn's eyes widened. "You know my brother? You know who I am?"

Adrian gave a slow nod. "Weren't you all over social media recently? That whole AI tiger scandal?"

"You just got here?" Evelyn gasped. The viral news was barely two weeks old.

Adrian resumed clearing their path, his voice light. "About a month before you arrived."

Evelyn marveled at how seamlessly he'd adapted to the indigenous tribe. If not for his modern boots, she'd have mistaken him for a native. The realization sent a pang through her chest.

If someone as capable as Adrian hadn't escaped in all this time... how would she ever get home?

"What's your name?" she pressed.

"Adrian Blackwood." He sighed dramatically and quickened his pace.

Evelyn's breath hitched. "Blackwood? Any relation to Nathan Blackwood?"

Two beats of silence. Then a dry laugh. "Please. You think a billionaire like him would be caught dead here? I'm just an adventurer."

Evelyn nodded. Of course no wealthy socialite would willingly come to this death trap. Yet the name sent her thoughts spiraling to a certain dark-eyed man.

A thousand miles away, on a luxury yacht...

Helicopters buzzed overhead like mechanical dragonflies. Drones skimmed the ocean's surface, scanning for wreckage.

Even military-grade sonar had turned up nothing.

Lucas Sterling's phone buzzed. "Nathan Blackwood's back at the estate," Dominic Kingsley reported.

In the Blackwood mansion...

The family physician emerged from Nathan's room. Old Mr. Blackwood rushed forward. "How is he?"

The doctor adjusted his glasses. "Severe exhaustion from days without sleep. His body has completely shut down. Rest and proper nutrition are critical."

Margaret Blackwood sniffed from the corner. "That cursed Evelyn Sinclair only brought misery to my son! At least the jungle did what we couldn't."

Old Mr. Blackwood whirled on her. "Enough! If the Sterlings hear you talking like that—"

"But we're in our own home!" Margaret protested weakly.

The patriarch's glare silenced her. "Do you want Alexander Sterling targeting our business right after his sister's disappearance?"

Margaret paled, disappointment twisting her features.

"Sir!" A maid rushed in. "Mr. Nathan is awake!"

The family surged toward the bedroom, hope lighting their faces.