Chapter 354

Nathan gently stroked Evelyn's face. Vivian's confession had confirmed his earlier suspicions.

His grandfather had discovered the connection between Evelyn and the de Arma family the moment she returned from the training camp. Both his father and he had gone to great lengths to keep it hidden.

Even Richard and the others knew nothing about it—except for Vivian, who had attempted to expose Evelyn as a descendant of the de Armas.

Nathan studied her for a moment before speaking. "Starting tomorrow, I'll send Chloe to stay with you, just in case. She can assist you with anything. As for the kids, my father and grandfather will watch over them. The only one I'm truly worried about is you."

A wave of warmth spread through Evelyn's chest. She could see the genuine concern in his eyes.

She reached for his hand and pressed it against her cheek. Nathan blinked in surprise, but she only laughed softly. "As long as you're with me, I don't feel afraid."

That evening, at the Royal Academy of Music...

Caleb stepped out of the academy's main entrance, his small backpack slung over one shoulder. Two foreign-looking bodyguards emerged from a sleek black car and blocked his path.

"Are you Caleb Vanderbilt?" one asked in flawless English.

Caleb nodded cautiously.

The bodyguard bowed slightly and gestured toward the car. "Our master wishes to speak with you."

Lucas Laurent had just pulled up in his own car when he spotted Caleb being escorted into the unfamiliar black vehicle. His grip tightened on the steering wheel.

That's not the usual Goldmann car that picks him up...

A terrible thought struck him. He jerked the wheel and followed.

Evelyn and Nathan arrived at the underground parking lot. Just as they reached their car, Evelyn's phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.

Her face paled instantly.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked sharply.

"Caleb's been taken."

Nathan immediately ordered Harrison to track Caleb's location using the device embedded in the car.

Within minutes, they had their answer—the Siberian Palace Hotel.

Nathan's expression darkened. He turned the car toward the hotel without another word.

When they pulled up outside the entrance, Evelyn grabbed his arm. "Wait here. They only want me. I'll be fine—trust me, okay?"

Nathan studied her for a long moment before finally exhaling. "Call me the second anything happens. I'll be right here."

Evelyn leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before stepping out of the car.

Nathan touched the spot where her lips had been, shaking his head with a faint smile. Still, from her reaction, he had a strong suspicion about who had taken Caleb.

Inside the Siberian Palace Hotel's restaurant...

Caleb sat across from Lucas, eyeing the older man curiously. Lucas was usually fearless at the academy, but right now, he looked tense—almost intimidated—by the elderly man before them.

"Is the food not to your liking?" Harrison de Arma asked, picking up his fork with a faint smile. "I wasn't sure what you boys preferred, so I took the liberty of ordering."

Caleb frowned. "Why did you bring me here? Do I know you?"

His mother had always warned him never to accept food from strangers.

Harrison's sharp gaze flicked to Caleb, but he ignored the question. Instead, he turned to Lucas. "No greeting? Where are your manners?"

Lucas swallowed hard. "Grandfather."

Caleb's eyes widened.

He's Mr. Laurent's grandfather?

"So this boy is your cousin's son?" Harrison asked coldly.

Lucas took a deep breath. "Grandfather, what exactly do you want with him?"