Chapter 163

Evelyn's lips curled into a mocking smile. "If you're feeling sorry for her, perhaps I should assign Lydia to your care."

Nathan's gaze dropped as an amused smirk played on his lips. In one fluid motion, he rose and closed the distance between them. His arm snaked around her waist with practiced ease, spinning her until her back met the solid wood of the office door. "And here I thought you claimed not to be jealous."

Ice flashed in Evelyn's eyes.

She couldn't stomach Lydia's pathetic performance - that exaggerated fragility compared to Vivian's calculated cruelty. Was it truly so wrong to toughen up the spoiled Vanderbilt princess?

With a sharp twist, she broke free from his grasp. "Keep your hands to yourself. Someone might see."

"Let them." His mouth descended toward hers.

Evelyn retaliated with a sharp bite to his lower lip. "Control yourself, Nathan Goldmann!"

Undeterred, Nathan cradled the back of her head, his kiss turning demanding. His tongue traced the seam of her lips until they parted, and Evelyn hated how her body responded - the way her fingers instinctively curled into the fabric of his sleeves.

A low hum escaped her throat as his arms encircled her completely.

It was becoming frighteningly familiar.

His technique had grown alarmingly proficient.

Evelyn felt herself drowning in sensation until his mouth abandoned hers to trail fire down her neck. The sudden chill of exposed skin shocked her back to reality. "You absolute bastard!"

Her knee connected with its target before he could react.

Nathan doubled over with a pained hiss, teeth clenched against the agony radiating through his body. A sheen of sweat broke across his forehead.

"I'm sorry!" Panic laced Evelyn's voice as she reached for him. "I just wanted to— Are you—"

"Trying to castrate me?" Nathan ground out between labored breaths, equal parts furious and impressed.

"You started it!"

"If I truly wanted to force you," he said through gritted teeth, "you wouldn't stand a chance." The sharp inhale through his nose did little to ease the throbbing pain. He'd only meant to tease her, never expecting such violent resistance.

Did his touch truly repulse her so?

Evelyn studied the carpet. She knew avoidance wasn't a permanent solution, no matter how fiercely she resisted.

"I need time," she whispered, teeth worrying her bottom lip.

Nathan straightened with visible effort. "Fine. Consent matters." A muscle twitched in his jaw. "Daisy and the others are accompanying me to the estate tomorrow. Father requested their presence."

He left without another word.

Evelyn collapsed into her chair, limbs suddenly leaden.

Nathan's feelings remained an enigma, as did her own chaotic emotions. Had prolonged exposure to his dangerous charm eroded her defenses?

Perhaps his anger was for the best.

Her fists clenched. Until the Vanderbilt mess was resolved and her mother's company reclaimed, she couldn't afford to drown in Nathan Goldmann's dangerous allure.

Vivian returned home to unsettling news from her mother's frantic whispers—that scheming bitch Evelyn had spent the night with Nathan under their roof.

Her manicured nails dug crescent moons into her palms. Thank God she'd stayed elsewhere last night.

If Evelyn had breathed a word about her mother's scandal to Nathan...

The Vanderbilt name couldn't withstand another blow.

"Viv, darling," Laura murmured, "I think Lydia's developed feelings for Nathan." The way the younger Vanderbilt had gazed at him last night—all starry-eyed and breathless—had been painfully obvious.

Vivian's face twisted in disgust. "Lydia? That vapid little social climber? She's delusional if she thinks she's in his league."