Chapter 402

Evelyn's brows knitted together. "I meant those women!"

Nathan chuckled darkly. "Are you implying you don't feel that way about me?"

She flushed crimson, rendered speechless by his teasing. Snatching back the lock of hair he'd been twirling between his fingers, she huffed.

"Maybe I'm getting bored of pouncing on you. Perhaps it's time to find another man."

The temperature in the room plummeted as Nathan's expression turned glacial. "Who exactly do you plan to pounce on?"

Deliberately, Evelyn let her gaze drift toward Oliver.

Caught in the rearview mirror, Oliver nearly choked. "M-Ms. Vanderbilt! I-I'm... I'm gay!"

The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to bite his tongue off.

Evelyn burst into laughter.

Nathan arched an eyebrow, shaking his head at her antics. "Little minx."

That night, Evelyn found herself thoroughly ravished once more.

Watching her exhausted form curled in sleep, Nathan felt equal parts frustration and helplessness. He leaned down, pressing tender kisses to her parted lips, the slope of her nose, and finally her forehead.

'My precious wife. I'll never let harm come to you again.'

Rising, he headed to the bathroom for a cold shower.

Emerging in a silk robe, his phone screen illuminated suddenly on the nightstand.

The message that greeted him turned his eyes to ice.

Nathan strode to his study, where the warm glow of a hidden lamp bathed his desk. Seated in the plush chair, he dialed Rosalind without hesitation.

"Brave of you to contact me," he said, voice dripping with venom.

"Nathan, you're utterly heartless," came the bitter reply.

He had no patience for her dramatics. "Explain your message."

Her laugh was hollow. "Don't you want to know who really killed Aunt Goldmann?"

Silence.

"I'll only say this once," Rosalind continued, voice steadying. "The de Armas were just puppets. The real mastermind behind your mother's kidnapping is in Stoslo."

Morning light found Evelyn alone in bed.

Breakfast waited downstairs alongside Nathan's characteristic neat script: "At the office early. Eat properly."

Peeling an egg, Evelyn froze at the unexpected knock.

'Who visits at this hour?'

The sight of Theodore Goldmann on her doorstep stole her breath. "Grandfather?"

Dismissing his bodyguards, the elder Goldmann swept inside with regal indifference. "We need to talk."

Evelyn trailed him to the sitting area. "Have you eaten?"

"I have." Theodore cut straight to the point. "I came to formally apologize for Rosalind's actions. My trust in her was... misplaced."

Evelyn's lips pressed together.

'An apology from Theodore Goldmann himself. How unexpected.'

"It's in the past. No apology necessary."

Theodore studied her. "Rosalind's absence doesn't mean I accept you."

Evelyn's smile didn't reach her eyes.

'Of course not.'

Steeling herself, she clasped her hands. "Grandfather, may I ask you something?"

The old man's gaze sharpened. "What is it?"