Chapter 472

Nathan knew there was no escape unless he drank the poisoned wine. With trembling fingers, he grasped the crystal glass, brought it to his lips, and swallowed the contents in one desperate gulp.

Slamming the empty glass onto the marble table, he turned to Donovan with bloodshot eyes. "Mr. Sinclair... May I go now?" His voice cracked under the strain.

Donovan remained silent. His icy gaze bore into Morse, clinically observing every twitch of the drugged man's muscles. He wanted to witness firsthand how the substance would unravel his prey.

The wait wasn't long.

Within minutes, the drug took hold. Morse's movements became jerky and uncontrolled. His pupils dilated wildly, his face flushed scarlet, and his fingers clawed at his collar like trapped animals. "Burning... I'm burning..." he slurred repeatedly.

Nathan's expression darkened, his jaw clenching so tight a muscle jumped in his cheek. His patience had evaporated.

He snapped his fingers at the cowering manager standing several feet away. "Call the police. Immediately."

"Right away, sir," the manager stammered, signaling frantically to his staff. He moved toward Morse, intending to restrain him before the man started stripping in front of the horrified diners.

But Morse lunged first.

With shocking strength, he grabbed the manager and mashed his lips against the man's cheek in a sloppy, drugged kiss.

The restaurant froze. Silverware clattered onto plates as guests gasped in collective horror.

Nathan saw red. His hands curled into fists, every instinct screaming to tear Morse limb from limb.

The drug had fully possessed Morse now. He staggered through the dining room like a rabid animal, grabbing at anyone within reach, attempting to kiss them with wet, desperate smacks. The potency of the substance was terrifying.

Nathan's thoughts immediately flew to Evelyn. If she had taken that drink...

White-hot rage exploded through his veins. His knuckles turned bone-white from how tightly he clenched his fists. The fury threatened to consume him entirely.

Without warning, Nathan seized Evelyn's wrist and dragged her toward the exit. His grip was iron, unbreakable. Evelyn stumbled in her heels, struggling to match his furious pace as he stormed through the restaurant doors.

Only when they reached the deserted parking lot did Nathan finally release her.

He whirled to face Evelyn, his rage palpable in the cold night air. "What kind of gutter trash were you meeting tonight?" he snarled, voice razor-sharp. "You agreed to a date with that animal? Have you lost all sense?"

Evelyn opened her mouth to respond, but Nathan cut her off with another blistering tirade. "Do you have any idea what would've happened to you tonight if I hadn't been there?"

Evelyn pressed her lips into a thin line, her long lashes fluttering against suddenly pale cheeks. "How was I supposed to know?" she shot back.

She'd never imagined Morse would dare drug her in a public restaurant. She'd trusted Olivia's judgment, believing anyone her friend introduced would be respectable. But even Olivia had been deceived.