Chapter 187

Nathan's eyes burned with fury. "What did you give her?"

"Ecsta—" Before the man could finish, Nathan's foot connected with his ribs, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Nathan's voice was a low, dangerous growl. "How dare you?"

The man clutched his side, wincing through the pain. "It—it wasn't a lethal dose!"

They had planned to administer it over three days to ensure addiction. A single dose would only leave her suffering for a short while—but they hadn’t counted on Nathan finding them so soon.

Nathan scooped Evelyn into his arms, his gaze slicing through them like a blade. "If she suffers, you won’t live to regret it."

Inside the car, Nathan held Evelyn close. Her skin was icy, no matter how tightly he wrapped his hands around hers.

"Zoe?" he murmured, but she only blinked up at him, her movements sluggish, her gaze unfocused.

Nathan's jaw clenched. His grip tightened around her. "Oliver. Faster."

The engine roared as Oliver pressed the accelerator.

By the time they reached the hospital, the drug's effects had fully taken hold. Evelyn thrashed violently, her mind lost in hallucinations. She lashed out at the doctor trying to examine her.

"Get away from me! Leave!"

"Zoe!" Nathan caught her wrist, pulling her against his chest. "It's me. You're safe. No one will hurt you here."

Her teeth sank into his shoulder.

Nathan hissed but didn’t let go. He held her tighter.

"Mr. Goldmann—"

The nearest doctor moved to intervene, but Evelyn’s eyes were wild, filled with a feral rage.

A sedative was quickly administered. As her body went limp, Nathan exhaled, the fabric of his shirt stained with blood from the deep bite mark.

The doctor wiped his brow. "The drug induces hallucinations, but the dose wasn’t extreme. She’ll recover—but the next few days won’t be easy."

Nathan said nothing.

The pain in his chest eclipsed the wound on his shoulder.

Oliver’s frown deepened. The drug Evelyn had been given was notorious—some took it for a fleeting high, but the aftermath was brutal.

At first, users lost control of their emotions. Then, with repeated doses, they became slaves to it—just like Dupin.

It didn’t kill. Not directly.

But over time, it destroyed minds. Families. Lives.

And someone had dared to give it to Evelyn.

Whoever was responsible would pay.

Three days later.

Nolan Baker had thought he’d escaped. He’d taken the money and run—until Garrett’s men dragged him back, broken and bleeding.

Now, he lay at Nathan’s feet, barely conscious.

Garrett’s voice was cold. "He claims Laura Scott ordered it. She wanted Ms. Vanderbilt addicted."