Chapter 159

Nathan's piercing gaze locked onto Alexander, his jaw tightening visibly. "Since when are the two of you close enough for private dinners?" His voice was laced with frost, the air between them turning brittle.

Alexander offered a placating smile, though tension coiled beneath the surface. "Evelyn and I... we're friends."

The word friends lingered, heavy with unspoken implications.

Nathan's brow furrowed, suspicion darkening his expression. Friends? Since when? And why was this the first he was hearing of it?

Evelyn, slumped against Alexander's side, was clearly too intoxicated to explain. Nathan clenched his fists, deciding to let it go—for now. Instead, he stepped forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Hand her over. Now."

Alexander didn't argue. Carefully, he shifted Evelyn into Nathan's arms, her body limp and uncoordinated.

Evelyn groaned, her face scrunching in discomfort. "Stop jostling me!" she slurred, flailing an arm—only to accidentally smack Nathan square across the cheek.

A muscle in Nathan's jaw twitched. He glared down at her, his voice a low, threatening growl. "Behave, or I swear you'll regret it."

The sharpness in his tone momentarily sobered her. Her glossy eyes welled with unshed tears, making her look heartbreakingly fragile.

Nathan exhaled sharply, irritation warring with something softer. Without another word to Alexander, he adjusted his grip on Evelyn and turned away.

Alexander quickly handed Evelyn's forgotten shoes to Nathan's assistant, Gordon, who nodded and hurried after them.

The walk to the car was uneventful—until Evelyn, suddenly revived by the night air, scrambled into the back seat with drunken enthusiasm.

Thud.

"Ow!" She yelped, clutching her head after smacking it against the car roof. She curled into a miserable ball, whimpering.

Nathan watched, the corner of his mouth twitching despite himself. "Serves you right," he muttered, though his tone lacked its usual bite.

Up front, Gordon sat ramrod straight, eyes fixed determinedly ahead, while the driver pressed the accelerator harder, eager to escape the chaos.

Just as they thought she might settle, Evelyn perked up again, her energy renewed.

By the time they arrived at the Grant estate, Nathan had half a mind to toss her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Evelyn, however, had other ideas. She blinked up at him, her cheeks flushed, and giggled. "Wow, you're really strong. And so handsome. Someone should wife you up."

Nathan ignored her, focusing on getting her inside without further disaster.

The moment Leonard Grant spotted Nathan carrying Evelyn into the living room, he shot to his feet, shock written across his face. "Nathan? What on earth happened? Why are you two together?"