Chapter 261

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden glow across the bedroom. Evelyn stirred, her fingers brushing against the empty space beside her. Nathaniel had already left for work—again.

She sighed, pushing herself up. The bed felt too large without him.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from Gregory.

"Meeting in an hour. Don’t be late."

Evelyn groaned. She had completely forgotten about the client presentation.

Throwing off the covers, she hurried to the bathroom. The mirror reflected her tired eyes, the faint shadows beneath them a testament to restless nights.

"Get it together, Evelyn," she muttered to herself.

Downstairs, Alfred had already prepared breakfast—a perfect spread of fresh fruit, toast, and coffee.

"Good morning, Mrs. Martin," he greeted warmly.

"Morning, Alfred," she replied, grabbing a piece of toast. "Has Nathaniel left already?"

"Indeed. Mr. Martin departed at six. He mentioned an urgent board meeting."

Evelyn nodded, though disappointment settled in her chest.

She took a sip of coffee, the bitterness grounding her.

Her phone buzzed again—Isabella’s name flashing across the screen.

Evelyn’s grip tightened around the cup.

"We need to talk."

The message was simple, yet it sent a chill down her spine.

She exhaled sharply.

"Not today."

But even as she dismissed it, a nagging suspicion lingered.

Isabella never reached out without a reason.

Evelyn set the cup down, her appetite gone.

She had a feeling today was going to be anything but ordinary.

"Yes. I don't want her to worry. At my age, these are just old aches. Nothing life-threatening."

Beatrice's faint smile left Nathaniel speechless. He had always sensed she was keeping something from him, but he couldn’t pinpoint what. So, he let it go.

After breakfast, Evelyn finally woke.

Realizing Nathaniel hadn’t returned all night, an inexplicable heaviness settled in her chest. But she steeled herself—no one was worth this turmoil. She headed straight to Beatrice’s quarters.

Evelyn froze when she spotted Nathaniel there.

Without a word, he pulled out a chair for her, setting a plate down before murmuring, "It was past three when I got back. Didn’t want to disturb you, so I slept in the car."

Her brows knitted. Was this an explanation?

She said nothing, merely meeting his gaze before sitting to eat.

Later, he drove her to work. Just before she exited the car, his voice stopped her. "Don’t send your assistant to Martin Group in your place."

"Why?"

"No particular reason. I’m just not fond of entertaining assistants."

Evelyn’s lips pressed into a thin line. When she glanced at him, his eyes were locked onto hers.

She quickly looked away. "Noted."

As she walked off, neither noticed the sleek black sedan tailing them.

That afternoon, Evelyn took Gabrielle to the construction site.

Her second consecutive visit had Daniel on edge. "Evelyn, does Mr. Martin doubt my competence?"

She shook her head. "This has nothing to do with him. I’m here on my own. You’re doing fine—I just prefer handling certain details myself."

"Phew. Had me worried he was dissatisfied."

"Not at all. Progress looks good."

After their chat, Evelyn headed to inspect materials, instructing Gabrielle to verify steel batch numbers with the supervisor.

Her vigilance stemmed from a gnawing unease—one that had grown sharper by the day.

She stayed until dusk.

Nathaniel called twice. "When are you wrapping up? I’ll come get you."

"Unnecessary. I drove myself," Evelyn replied flatly, eyes scanning a procurement form.

"Positive?"

"Mr. Martin, shall I fetch a rope so you can tether me at home and bar me from working?"

His chuckle was dark. "If you’re offering, I’ll gladly oblige."

She rolled her eyes and hung up.

Work stretched on. Only when darkness swallowed the site did Evelyn set the forms aside. "Gabrielle, let’s go."

Her assistant hesitated. "Actually… someone’s picking me up."

"Need a ride?"

"No, it’s…" Gabrielle’s cheeks pinked. "Not my boyfriend. Not yet, anyway."

Evelyn laughed at her shy grin. "Go on, then. Next time, remind me if I lose track of time."

Gabrielle nodded, darting off to a waiting motorcycle. Watching her cling to the rider, Evelyn felt a pang—she’d never known that kind of youthful abandon.

Smiling wistfully, she turned toward the parking lot.

Never in a million years would she have guessed she’d be abducted there.