Chapter 269

A gentle breeze played with Evelyn's hair, teasing loose strands from behind her ear to dance across her face. She kept tucking them back absentmindedly, a simple gesture that captivated Felix completely.

A maple leaf drifted down, landing softly in Evelyn's dark locks. Felix's breath caught. He moved toward her but stumbled over the forgotten rake, sending him crashing into Evelyn's space.

His hands shot out to brace against the bench, stopping his fall mere inches from her face. The sudden movement startled Evelyn, who turned to find Felix's intense gaze just breaths away. The moment stretched between them, charged and silent.

Winifred watched from the shadows, her nails digging into her palms. With shaking fingers, she snapped a photo and immediately forwarded it to Rosalind's chat.

At ckgold Group headquarters, Rosalind knocked sharply on Nathan's office door. He looked up from his documents, his piercing eyes questioning. "What is it?"

Rosalind approached with calculated steps. "I heard Ms. Vanderbilt entered a restricted zone yesterday. The punishment was leaf raking duty."

Nathan's expression darkened instantly. 'Why would she go there? Was she hurt? Why didn't Chloe inform me?' His jaw tightened.

Mistaking his concern for anger, Rosalind continued carefully, "She's unharmed, but..."

"But what?" Nathan's voice dropped dangerously low.

Rosalind feigned hesitation. "Someone sent me this. I debated telling you, but I thought you should know." She placed her phone before him.

The image showed Evelyn and Felix in what appeared to be a compromising position - their faces dangerously close, bodies nearly touching. "This is clearly meant to cause trouble between you two-"

"If that were true," Nathan cut in icily, "why send it to you?" His suspicious glare made Rosalind pale.

She bit her lip, realizing her mistake. "Forgive me, Nathan. I only had someone check on Ms. Vanderbilt because I knew you'd worry. I never expected... I'm sorry."

Nathan studied her for a long moment before dismissing her with a cold, "Don't waste my time with these games."

Once alone, Nathan's composure cracked. Just days apart and already she was getting cozy with another man? At this rate, she'd be eloping by month's end. He needed to remind that woman exactly who she belonged to - and that she had a family waiting.

Later in the library, Evelyn browsed the shelves when Winifred's cronies began whispering loudly.

"Some people can't help stealing men, even in training camp."

"Disgusting. Give her another week and she'll have seduced every male here."

Evelyn ignored them, but as she passed, Winifred grabbed her arm roughly. "I know what you did, you little slut."