Chapter 337

It was absolutely inconceivable that Liam could have been drugged during a simple family dinner at Blackwood Manor.

Evelyn's concern grew as Liam remained locked in his bedroom for hours. The usually composed military general was behaving completely out of character.

She knocked gently on the oak door. "Liam? It's Cassandra. Victoria has been taken away by Ryan and his team. Could you please open the door?"

His voice came through muffled but firm. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

The unnatural strain in his tone made her uneasy. "Please let me in. If you're not feeling well, I can drive you to the hospital."

"I said I'm fine."

"Then just unlock the door so I can see for myself."

"That won't be necessary."

Evelyn softened her voice, pressing her palm against the cool wood. "Liam...please."

His response came sharp and unexpected. "Cassandra, are you really this naive?"

The words stung. In all their time together, Liam had never spoken to her so harshly, let alone called her naive.

"Why are you snapping at me?" Her fingers curled into fists. "I'm just worried about you. I care about you. How can you accuse me of being naive?"

The more she thought about it, the more her frustration mounted. "If you're perfectly fine and capable of handling Victoria's schemes alone, then clearly you don't need me here. I'll take my leave!"

As she turned to go, the door suddenly swung open.

Before she could react, strong hands pulled her inside.

The door clicked shut behind her.

In one fluid motion, Evelyn found herself pressed against the wall, Liam's imposing frame caging her in.

Her breath hitched as she took in his appearance.

His bare torso glistened with droplets of water, the defined muscles of his abdomen contracting with each breath. The subtle scent of sandalwood soap clung to his damp skin.

His usually neat hair was tousled, damp strands falling across his forehead. A faint flush colored his chiseled features, spreading down his neck and across his chest.

But it was his eyes that held her captive - dark, intense, burning with an emotion that made her knees weak.

Evelyn swallowed hard, her lips pressing together as her pulse raced. Heat crept up her neck, matching the blush on Liam's skin.

In a rough whisper that sent shivers down her spine, he murmured, "See? I'm perfectly fine."

She could only nod mutely.

"Where were you going?" His voice was deeper than usual.

"You seem...capable enough," she managed. "And Oliver Whitmore, the chef who took the bribe, has been apprehended."

"If you can handle difficult situations alone, then my presence here is unnecessary."

"Victoria might try to bribe Ryan next," Liam countered, his breath warm against her temple. "I'll need your...protection."

Evelyn studied his strained expression. "You were drugged, weren't you?"

A curt nod. "Yes."

She frowned. "Are you in pain? Why did you take your shirt off?"

His smoldering gaze never wavered. "It's hot. I took a cold shower."

Fingers twisting in the fabric of her blouse, Evelyn looked away. "Why did you call me naive earlier?"

A bitter smile touched his lips. "I clearly said I was fine and asked you to keep your distance. Yet you insisted on seeing me. Isn't that naive?"

"I was just concerned about—"

"You bring trouble wherever you go," he interrupted, his voice rough.

Evelyn's breath caught. "Are you...angry with me?"

Liam closed the remaining distance between them slowly, until his warm breath fanned across her lips. Every nerve in her body came alive, yet she remained frozen against the wall, afraid to move.

His deep voice dropped to a seductive murmur. "Angry? Did you insist on seeing me because you wanted to...comfort me?"