Chapter 217

Jacob Zimmerman froze mid-step, his expression twisting in displeasure. "Who the hell are you?"

"The father of her children."

Nathan Goldmann's icy glare could have frozen the entire park. This insignificant man wouldn't lay a finger on his woman.

Jacob's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, paralyzed by the sheer dominance radiating from the taller man.

Evelyn Vanderbilt nestled deeper into Nathan's embrace, looping her arms around his neck with practiced ease. "Darling, what kept you?" The pet name dripped from her lips like honey, instantly dissolving the storm clouds in Nathan's eyes.

His grip tightened possessively around her waist while his other hand tilted her chin up. "Seems I arrived just in time to catch a thief trying to steal what's mine."

Evelyn arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "Then take me home."

Home.

The word sent an unexpected warmth through Nathan's chest.

"Zee—" Jacob tried again, but a single warning look from Nathan had him stumbling backward.

Who was this terrifying man?

Inside the sleek black Bentley, Evelyn squirmed on Nathan's lap. "Are you planning to let go anytime soon?"

Nathan's fingers traced idle patterns on her thigh. "Using me as your shield and now throwing me away? That's cold, even for you."

Evelyn bit her lower lip, acutely aware of Oliver Lawson's presence in the driver's seat. This compromising position would fuel office gossip for weeks.

"Who was that cockroach?" Nathan's voice dropped dangerously low.

Evelyn shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Another pawn in Grandmother's matchmaking schemes."

The arm around her waist became an iron band.

Evelyn gasped as her body molded against his, their faces inches apart. "Nathan Goldmann, what—"

"Tell me you didn't entertain that fool." His breath fanned across her lips.

"Please." Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Madam Vanderbilt is so desperate to push Lydia into your bed that she's auctioning me off to the highest bidder." Her nails dug into his shoulders. "This is your mess to clean up."

Nathan studied the fire in her eyes—the same fire that first drew him to her. The Vanderbilts would pay for treating his woman like disposable goods.

"Evelyn," he murmured against her temple, "there will only ever be one Mrs. Goldmann."

She turned her face away, but not before he caught the faint blush. "I never applied for the position."

Nathan's smirk was pure sin. "Should I start interviewing stepmothers for our children then?"

Evelyn's silence spoke volumes.

Over my dead body, Nathan thought with dark satisfaction.

Meanwhile, back in Cornelia...

Lydia Vanderbilt's hysterical sobs echoed through the Vanderbilt estate. Her mother, Yvette Warren, had dragged her back in disgrace after the failed seduction attempt. Virginity lost to Jacob Zimmerman wasn't part of Madam Victoria's grand plan.

The old matriarch turned her back on her weeping granddaughter. Some investments simply weren't worth salvaging.

Three days later, federal agents swarmed the Vanderbilt Hot Springs Resort. York Vanderbilt, the family's eldest son, was arrested on charges of corruption and money laundering.

Coincidence?

Nathan Goldmann didn't believe in coincidences.