Chapter 321

The first light of dawn had barely touched the horizon when Evelyn Carter began packing her belongings.

Her hands moved with practiced efficiency, betraying her earlier claims of indifference toward Liam Blackwood's safety.

Rosalind Baskins still slept soundly in the adjacent room.

With her luggage prepared, Evelyn slipped quietly to Archibald Hoffis's chamber to bid farewell.

The elderly man glanced nervously at the walls, speaking in hushed tones. "Take care of yourself, child," he murmured, pressing a black credit card into her palm.

Evelyn shook her head, pushing the offering away.

The farewell was brief but heartfelt.

As she stepped through the grand gates of Wright Manor, Julian Whitmore materialized before her like a specter.

"Up before sunrise?" His lips curled in amusement as he blocked her path. "Where might you be going with all that luggage? And where's your little shadow?"

Evelyn's grip tightened on her suitcase. The sight of him made her blood run cold. "Just some personal business," she replied through clenched teeth.

"Allow me to escort you," Julian offered with mock chivalry.

"That won't be necessary."

His smile turned predatory. "How curious. You told my parents you came here because of me, yet now you treat me like a stranger. What game are you playing, Evelyn?"

She remained silent, her jaw set.

Julian's eyes gleamed with malicious delight. "Still pretending? Or have you forgotten our history... ex-girlfriend?"

The words struck like a physical blow.

Evelyn recoiled as if scalded, her eyes widening in shock. She turned to face him fully, searching his expression for deception.

Julian's smirk deepened. He reached out, his voice dropping to an intimate whisper. "I mean every word, Evelyn. Give us another chance."

"Release me." She jerked her arm away, disgust twisting her features. "I don't have time for your delusions."

"Marry me." His tone shifted abruptly, the intensity in his gaze bordering on madness.

A shiver of primal fear raced down Evelyn's spine.

At first, she'd assumed this was another of Julian's twisted tests - a ploy to confirm whether her memories had returned. But the fanatical light in his eyes suggested something far more dangerous.

The very idea made her stomach churn. Even without blood relation, the moral violation was enough to make her skin crawl.

She regretted not waking Rosalind. With sudden violence, she wrenched her arm free. "Julian, enough!"

"I'm proposing," he insisted, his grip tightening.

"The answer is no." Her voice cut like steel. "I wouldn't touch you if you were the last man on earth."

Something dark flickered across Julian's face.

Before she could react, he produced a handkerchief from his pocket and clamped it over her mouth and nose.

Evelyn's scream was muffled by the fabric. A cloying, chemical scent filled her senses. Her vision swam, limbs growing heavy as lead.

The world tilted.

Then darkness.

Julian glanced furtively about before scooping Evelyn's limp form into his arms. Within moments, he had her secured in his vehicle and was speeding down the estate's private drive.

At precisely eight o'clock, Rosalind rose and completed her morning routine. She knocked lightly on Evelyn's door, ready to assist with final preparations for their journey to Blackwood Manor.

"Evelyn? Are you awake?" The persistent knocking yielded no response.

Concern creased Rosalind's brow as she pushed the door ajar. The room stood half-empty, personal effects conspicuously absent.

A wry smile touched her lips as she reached for her phone. "Couldn't wait even a few hours, could you?"

She shook her head, murmuring to herself, "Left without a word, didn't even let me help pack. Just how desperate are you to get back to General Blackwood?"