Chapter 494

Leonard arched one brow in silent inquiry. "You're asking for my assistance? I'm not certain I grasp your meaning."

"Evelyn has been deliberately evading me," Nathan stated bluntly. His fingers tapped an impatient rhythm against his thigh. "I can't even secure five minutes of her time. But she trusts you—could you arrange a private dinner where we might speak properly?"

The older man's expression remained carefully neutral, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Margaret broke the tense silence, her voice laced with maternal concern. "Nathan, are you absolutely certain about your feelings for Evelyn? Have you considered all the implications?"

Nathan's jaw clenched as her words triggered a vivid memory from earlier that day.

He'd witnessed Evelyn exiting the elevator with Julian Hawthorne and Clara Fernandez. Though he hadn't caught their conversation, whatever Julian said had made both women laugh brightly. The BergWind CEO had watched them with such open affection that the trio could easily be mistaken for a happy family.

A visceral wave of possessiveness crashed over Nathan. His hands curled into fists so tight his knuckles turned white. Only years of disciplined self-control prevented him from striding across the lobby and planting his fist in Hawthorne's smug face.

The mere thought of Evelyn with another man sent white-hot agony lancing through his chest. He couldn't—wouldn't—tolerate it. The very idea was unacceptable.

Meeting Margaret's gaze squarely, Nathan declared with absolute conviction, "I've never been more certain of anything in my life. She's mine."

"And what of Serena?" Leonard interjected sharply.

Nathan's frown deepened momentarily before he answered with brutal honesty. "I've already severed that connection completely."

Leonard blinked, visibly startled by his son's ruthless decisiveness.

Margaret turned to her husband, pressing gently, "Darling, Nathan has finally recognized his true feelings. He's handled the situation with Serena honorably. As his parents, shouldn't we support him? Besides, you've always adored Evelyn as a daughter. Surely you don't want to see her married to someone else?"

Though privately harboring reservations about Evelyn, Margaret prioritized her son's happiness above all else.

Nathan's gaze locked onto Leonard, a rare flicker of vulnerability surfacing.

Leonard exhaled slowly, avoiding immediate commitment. "I'll need time to consider this."

"How much time?" Nathan demanded, unable to mask his impatience.

Leonard shot him an exasperated look. "Must you rush everything? After years of indifference, suddenly you can't wait? Learn some damned patience!"