Chapter 373

Evelyn rested her hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Is Oliver prepared?"

Nathan arched a brow. "What do you think?"

That night—

The ICU ward stood eerily unguarded.

As the night nurse made her rounds, she spotted a doctor passing by and offered a polite nod.

The doctor returned the gesture before striding toward the ICU.

Once the nurse disappeared around the corner, he pushed the door open and slipped inside. The dim glow from the hallway illuminated the figure lying motionless on the bed.

He withdrew a vial and syringe from his coat pocket.

Just as the needle pierced the IV bag, the overhead lights blazed to life.

A fist collided with his jaw before he could react, sending him crashing to the floor.

Chloe stood over him, her expression icy. Behind her, Oliver motioned for the bodyguards to restrain the man.

The mask was ripped away, revealing a face twisted in fury.

"You?" he spat.

Oliver checked his watch, lips curving. "I had a feeling you wouldn't resist the bait."

Realization dawned in the man's eyes.

A trap.

"Take him away," Oliver ordered.

At Blue Bay Villa—

Nathan's phone buzzed with a message.

[Sir, target secured at Summer Pavilion.]

Evelyn emerged from the bathroom, damp hair clinging to her shoulders. A silk robe draped over her frame as she caught him reading the screen. "Did it work?"

Nathan smirked. "Like clockwork."

"If they're this desperate to silence Mr. Whitmore, he must know something explosive." She reached for the hairdryer, fingers combing through her tangled waves.

Exactly.

Nathan's gaze darkened as it trailed over her. The thin fabric of her nightgown clung to every curve, the motion of her arms lifting as she dried her hair hypnotic.

Desire coiled low in his gut.

Before she could finish, he appeared behind her, plucking the dryer from her grasp.

"Nathan, I'm not—"

"Heat damages the strands," he murmured, fingers threading through her locks. His voice dropped to a sinful whisper. "I have a better method."

Evelyn met his reflection's gaze, suspicion flickering. "That's not what you're thinking, is it?"

A low chuckle rumbled against her back as his hands—

"Seems you're learning my tells." His lips traced the slope of her shoulder, teeth grazing sensitive skin.

She gasped as he spun her around, her back hitting the dresser. "Wait—we have to—"

"Plenty of time."

He claimed her with ruthless precision, drinking in every shudder, every breathless gasp. Her nails scored his shoulders as she arched against him—

Summer Pavilion

The captive groaned as another punch landed in his gut, blood speckling the floor.

Nathan draped his coat over Evelyn's shoulders, shielding her from the brutality. "Zoe, wait outside."

She had followed him into the private room, only to witness the interrogation in progress.

The man in black sneered, wiping his knuckles. "Still feeling stubborn, bastard?"