Chapter 464

Nathan Sterling followed Evelyn Carter's car at a careful distance, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. He maintained the gap between them until her vehicle disappeared safely through the wrought iron gates of Kingsley Manor.

Only then did he pull over, cutting the engine with a sharp twist of his wrist. Through the gathering dusk, he could make out a masculine figure waiting for Evelyn in the courtyard. Though the distance obscured the man's features, Nathan's stomach twisted with sickening certainty.

Was Evelyn seeing someone new? Living together already? Could that be Harrison Whitmore?

An ache spread through his chest, hollow and relentless. His vision blurred momentarily, and he blinked hard against the unexpected sting in his eyes.

The steering wheel creaked under his grip. He couldn't explain why he'd trailed her home like some lovesick teenager, nor why the sight before him made his throat constrict.

Inside the manor, Julian Hartwell smirked as he glanced toward the idling car. "Evelyn," he teased, draping an arm over his sister's shoulders, "aren't you going to invite your gentleman caller inside?"

Evelyn swatted at him playfully. "Since when did you become such a busybody, Julian?"

"Call it brotherly concern." His grin widened. "Lover's quarrel?"

"Hardly!"

"Then why the separate cars and icy silence?" Julian pressed.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "Did you even look properly at who's out there?"

Julian's expression shifted to genuine curiosity. "Wait, that's not Harrison? Who then? Don't tell me you're already dating someone new." He wagged a finger. "Let me make this clear - Harrison's the only brother-in-law I'll accept. Anyone else tries to join this family, I'm chasing them off with a baseball bat!"

Evelyn couldn't suppress her laughter. "Is that so? Well, your would-be victim is Nathan Sterling."

Julian's face darkened instantly. "What? I'll get my bat right now! The audacity of that man showing up here after everything!" He spun toward the house, calling over his shoulder, "I've been waiting for this chance!"

Before Evelyn could react, Julian had summoned a staff member and was brandishing an actual baseball bat, his expression thunderous.

Evelyn caught his arm. "Julian, stop!"

"I'm running him off our property!" Julian stormed toward the gates, only to find the street empty. The car had vanished.

"He left?" Julian frowned, lowering the bat.

Evelyn joined him, sighing. "It's not what you think between us."

"Tell me truthfully - is he harassing you? Because I'll break both his legs if he's bothering you again."

Evelyn tugged him back toward the house with an exasperated smile. "Let it go. The past is past."

"Good! But remember - don't you dare break Harrison's heart, or you'll answer to me."

Evelyn blinked in surprise at her brother's unexpected loyalty. "Why are you so protective of Harrison? What aren't you telling me?"

Julian tapped her forehead. "Figure it out yourself this time. Just don't lose your head like before."

Evelyn's confusion only deepened as Julian strode inside, refusing to elaborate despite her persistent questions.

The next morning at Kingsley Industries, Evelyn had barely settled at her desk when Maxwell Donovan entered with urgent news. "Ms. Kingsley," he said grimly, "Director Hawthorne is making moves again."

Evelyn's expression hardened as Maxwell continued, "He's been taking out massive loans from the black market. The man's clearly desperate for cash."

"Desperate?" Evelyn's brows drew together. "What could Julian Hawthorne possibly need that much money for?"