Chapter 90

"That's none of your concern," Nathan said icily.

"My situation has been resolved, though not without sacrifices." Victor Langley offered Nathan a bottle of water. "What about you? Rumor has it you're about to—"

"I haven't made a decision yet."

Nathan shoved the bottle away and walked off without another word.

On the drive back, Elliot suddenly asked, "Was that Nathan Sterling defending you earlier?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "He wasn't defending me. He's an investor in the project too."

"Well, he's decent-looking. But since he has no interest in women, he's not right for you. Good thing you divorced him." He nodded approvingly.

Evelyn nearly groaned. His mouth is truly something else.

"You're absolutely right. That's exactly why I left him."

When she had married Nathan years ago, Elliot had been overseas, tied down by obligations that kept him from returning.

To vet Nathan's character, Elliot had discreetly hacked into his private files and combed through everything. To his shock, he'd found... nothing. No scandals, no affairs—just an unsettling absence of any romantic history.

At the time, Elliot had concluded Nathan was impotent. He'd emailed his findings to Evelyn, who promptly deleted them without a second thought.

Now, reflecting on their three-year, passionless marriage, Evelyn couldn't help but wonder.

Yet somehow, Nathan had managed to father a child with Isabella. That was a mystery worth unraveling.

"Why did you come back alone this time, Elliot? Where's my sister-in-law?"

"She's either still in my dreams or hasn't been born yet. Either way... I haven't met her," Elliot replied with infuriating calm.

"I don't care. Find her soon. With that personality of yours, you'll die alone."

Evelyn shook his shoulder, making him chuckle.

Her eldest brother, Dominic, was too much like their father—stern and unyielding. Julian, the youngest, was reckless, always chasing adrenaline.

But Elliot? He was different. Quiet, calculating, the only one who ever truly listened to her wildest ideas.

Evelyn had Maxwell drive her back to the office first before sending him to drop Elliot off at Julian's place—just to stir up some chaos.

Sure enough, within minutes of settling at her desk, her phone buzzed.

"Evie! Unbelievable. Elliot dismantled my smart humidifier and turned it into a damn coffee machine." Julian's voice crackled with indignation. "Come get me. I'd rather be anywhere than trapped here with a walking computer."

Evelyn laughed. "Play nice, both of you."

Julian hung up with a huff.

Hours later, when Evelyn finally looked up from her work, it was past 11 PM.

She stepped out to find Maxwell still waiting. They left the building together.

The streets were quiet until they reached a dimly lit intersection.

The light turned green.

Maxwell eased the car forward—

Then, out of nowhere, a swarm of armed men surged toward them.

Blades glinted under the streetlights. They surrounded the car, slamming fists against the windows.

"Call the police, Ms. Carter. Stay inside. I'll handle this."

Maxwell's voice shook. For all his competence as an assistant, he'd never faced anything like this.

He reached for the door—

Evelyn's hand clamped down on his shoulder. "You stepping out won't help. They're here for me." Her voice was steel. "Stay put. I'll protect you."

Maxwell met her gaze in the rearview mirror.

The fear in his chest dissolved.

Outside, the thugs roared, battering the car.

Then—

A stiletto heel shot out like a bullet.

The rear door flew open.

A man went airborne, crashing into the bushes ten feet away.

Silence.

Every head swiveled toward the tattooed figure lighting a cigarette nearby.

"Boss... You said this was some fragile socialite. Nobody mentioned she'd bring a damn bodyguard."