Chapter 404

Evelyn's voice was barely above a whisper. "When are you leaving?"

Nathan gazed at her with adoration, his fingers tracing circles on her bare shoulder. "Tomorrow morning."

His lips curled into that infuriatingly handsome smirk. "Going to miss me that much already?"

She bit her lower lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an answer. The way her cheeks flushed only made Nathan's possessive instincts flare hotter.

In one fluid motion, he flipped their positions, caging her beneath him.

"Nathan Goldmann, you still haven't told me where you're going!" Evelyn squirmed, her protests muffled as he captured her wrists effortlessly.

Morning light filtered through the curtains, painting golden stripes across the rumpled sheets.

Evelyn reached out instinctively, expecting to find warm skin. Her hand met cold emptiness instead.

The other side of the bed had long gone cold.

Downstairs, breakfast waited on the dining table - perfectly arranged as always. No Nathan. Just a note weighed down by a milk glass.

"Wait for me." His elegant script mocked her.

Evelyn crushed the paper in her fist. "That bastard! No wonder he kept me up all night - so he could sneak out while I was dead asleep!"

A slow, knowing smile curved her lips.

Just because I didn't ask doesn't mean I won't find out where you're going, Mr. Goldmann.

Bassburgh Airport's business lounge hummed with quiet luxury.

Nathan sat immersed in a financial magazine, the black turtleneck clinging to his broad frame emphasizing the sharp lines of his jaw. The suit jacket draped over his chair cost more than most people's monthly rent.

Every female attendant walking past did a double take at the unfairly attractive man radiating power from his wingback chair.

Oliver entered briskly. "Sir, there's a twenty-minute delay for the Zena flight."

Nathan didn't look up from his reading. "Unavoidable."

"I've briefed Mr. Goldmann Sr. He'll handle company affairs during your absence."

At this, Nathan's gaze lifted sharply. "Did he ask any questions?"

"None, sir." Oliver barely suppressed an eye roll. Like I'd dare tell the old lion anything.

A beat of silence. Then Oliver ventured, "Did you... inform Ms. Vanderbilt?"

The magazine page rustled as Nathan turned it with deliberate calm. "No. Stoslo isn't safe right now."

Especially with Daniel Kent's faction making moves. I won't risk Evelyn getting caught in that viper's nest.

Soul Jewelry's headquarters buzzed with midday energy.

Gregory's eyebrows shot up. "You're leaving for Stoslo now? The Sheena Jewelry Show isn't for another week."

Evelyn stacked design files with military precision. "I'm homesick. Thought I'd go early."

She'd tracked Nathan's flight plan - a private jet to Zena, Stoslo's glittering capital. The exact city hosting the jewelry exhibition. What were the odds?

Gregory studied her too-innocent expression. "Since when are you this excited about trade shows?"

Evelyn's hands stilled momentarily. "It's been too long since I walked Zena's streets at night."

Her ticket was already booked for tonight's red-eye. Chloe was coming. Madam Nora would meet them there.

First, I'll get to Stoslo. Then I'll find out what my elusive billionaire is really up to.

9 PM at Blue Bay Villa, Chloe arrived breathless, dragging luggage. "Evelyn, what's this sudden trip about?"

Pocketing her phone after texting Richard and the kids, Evelyn shrugged. "Sheena Jewelry Show prep. Just going a bit early."

The lie tasted like sugar on her tongue - sweet and dissolving too quickly. But some games required playing the long con. And when it came to Nathan Goldmann, Evelyn Vanderbilt always played to win.