Chapter 339

The night air was crisp as Dylan exited the club with Adrienne clinging to his arm.

Back at the Black family estate, Evelyn's breath caught when she saw Nathan. Memories of their passionate night together flooded her mind, making it impossible to meet his piercing gaze.

Nathan broke the tense silence first. "Evelyn," his deep voice rumbled, "about last night—"

"We were both drunk," Evelyn interrupted, her fingers tightening around her clutch. Her voice remained steady despite the tremor in her hands. "It was mutual consent. Surely it meant nothing to you, Mr. Black?"

Nathan's expression darkened instantly, his jaw clenching. His stormy eyes searched her face as if trying to decipher a hidden code.

After a charged pause, he gave a cold, humorless laugh. "Exactly what I was going to say. Glad we're on the same page. I was concerned you might try to use this to trap me."

Evelyn's shoulders relaxed slightly. Thank God she hadn't been foolish enough to read too much into their night together.

Yet... an unexpected pang of disappointment twisted in her chest.

Drawing a steadying breath, she lifted her chin. "Don't worry. I won't."

Nathan's hands curled into fists at his sides before he turned abruptly and left the room.

That night, Nathan avoided their shared bedroom entirely, burying himself in paperwork until dawn. Evelyn tossed and turned all night, arriving at work the next morning with dark circles shadowing her eyes.

At noon, Olivia found herself walking alone through a deserted alley when a masked man suddenly blocked her path, a knife glinting in his hand.

"Stop right there!" he growled. "Hand over your purse and jewelry!"

Olivia stumbled backward, her heart pounding. "Please—take whatever you want!" Her trembling hands fumbled with her bag's clasp.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" A sharp female voice cut through the alley like a whip.

In a flash, a figure darted between Olivia and her attacker. The woman stood protectively in front of Olivia, her stance unyielding.

"Lila?" Olivia gasped, recognizing the woman shielding her.

"Mrs. Caldwell, are you alright?" Lila asked over her shoulder, her eyes never leaving the thief.

"I—I'm fine," Olivia stammered, clutching her chest.

The thief laughed mockingly. "Two for the price of one! Empty your pockets, ladies!"

Lila spread her arms wider, a human shield radiating defiance. Her fierce glare pinned the man in place.