Chapter 306

Evelyn Sinclair remained perfectly still in Nathan Blackwood's embrace, showing no reaction to his movement.

The icy warning and contempt in Nathan's dark, fathomless eyes sent an involuntary shiver down Adrian Prescott's spine.

Without giving Adrian or Julian Moreau a chance to respond, Nathan turned sharply and carried Evelyn away.

Adrian's face turned ashen, his body rigid with defeat. The air around him grew heavy with unspoken humiliation.

Julian sighed knowingly. Though young, his years in the entertainment industry had taught him harsh truths. When facing Nathan Blackwood, resistance was futile.

"Adrian, you should inform Natalie about this," Julian advised quietly.

Nathan carefully placed Evelyn in the backseat of his luxury sedan. The strong scent of alcohol clinging to her made his nose wrinkle in disapproval.

Yet his touch remained gentle as he brushed stray strands of hair from her forehead before settling beside her. His gaze drifted to the golden streetlights casting lonely patterns in the darkness.

Only when Evelyn was unconscious did Nathan dare to hold her hand, knowing she wouldn't pull away. Her steady breathing was too precious to disturb.

A final glance at Adrian standing frozen outside the Velvet Lounge. Nathan's lips curled in silent derision. What right did that man have to compete for Evelyn's attention?

The sharp rap on the car window twenty minutes later startled Evelyn awake while Nathan barely reacted.

Disoriented, Evelyn blinked at her unfamiliar surroundings before her gaze landed on Nathan. Her brows knitted instantly.

"Why are you here?" Her voice was hoarse from sleep and alcohol.

Nathan's response came smoothly. "Business brought me to the area. I was just passing through."

Evelyn struggled to recall how she'd gone from drinking at the club to Nathan's car. The memory slipped through her fingers like smoke.

Noticing her confusion, Nathan fabricated effortlessly. "You stumbled into me outside and insisted on getting in the car. You were quite... persistent."

The lie rolled off his tongue with practiced ease, his expression carefully neutral as he studied Evelyn's reaction.

Evelyn Sinclair practically threw herself into my car. I couldn't even stop her.

"Impossible!" Evelyn's reaction was explosive when she heard that. Nathan Blackwood simply stared at her in silence.

"There's dashcam footage. Want to see it?"

Evelyn fell silent for a full thirty seconds.

Nathan's unwavering gaze made her doubt herself. Could it be true? Was I so drunk I couldn't even recognize my own worst enemy? Suddenly, her confidence wavered.

"Save yourself the trouble. Maybe I just wanted to vomit in your car." The corner of Nathan's mouth twitched. His chest tightened with frustration. He was furious, but words failed him.

Evelyn added coldly, "Even drunk, I still despise you. Do us both a favor—turn the other way if you see me again."

Before Nathan could respond, impatient knocking sounded against the window again. Evelyn glanced outside. Without another word, she flung the car door open and climbed into Lucas Sterling's waiting vehicle.

Lucas's striking features were carved from ice at that moment.

"Mr. Blackwood," he drawled, voice dripping with disdain, "don't you have anything better to do? My sister goes out for one drink, and you're still harassing her?"

Nathan's gaze lingered on Evelyn's retreating figure before slowly withdrawing. His voice was dangerously low. "She was drinking with twelve men."

Lucas let out a derisive laugh. "And? My sister can drink with whoever she pleases. A woman of her status naturally has admirers. What's twelve men to someone like her?"

Nathan's expression darkened instantly.

Rage burned in his eyes, barely contained. But he forced himself to hold back—because Lucas was Evelyn's brother.

No matter how much he wanted to, Nathan couldn't lay a finger on him.

Seizing the advantage, Lucas smirked. "You wanted to drink with my sister, didn't you? Pity her standards have risen. You're no longer qualified."