Chapter 419

Evelyn drew in a sharp breath.

Her face paled instantly as she stared at Rosalind. "Do you honestly think Grandfather and Nathan won't discover what you've done here?"

Rosalind released her grip and stepped back with a chilling smirk. "What difference does it make?"

She turned slowly, her cold eyes locking onto Evelyn's. "He'll never trace this back to me. And you... you won't live long enough to tell him."

Two figures in hazmat suits advanced, their gloved hands reaching for Evelyn. She struggled against her restraints as primal terror coursed through her veins.

"Is this really how it ends?"

Her mind screamed in protest. "I can't die now. Not when the children need me. Not when Nathan needs me!"

Every nerve in her body trembled violently, her blood turning to ice in her veins.

Just as the suited figures began cutting away her clothing, a gunshot shattered the tense silence outside. The sudden noise sent everyone scrambling.

Rosalind barely had time to react before the door exploded inward. When she saw the man standing in the doorway, her lips parted in shock.

Nathan fired without hesitation.

The bullet tore through Rosalind's shoulder, sending her crashing to the floor. Oliver stormed in with a tactical team, swiftly neutralizing the other two assailants.

Nathan rushed to the examination table, his fingers working frantically at the restraints binding Evelyn. When she came free, he cradled her against his chest, pressing a kiss to her sweat-dampened hair. "Zoe... I'm so sorry."

The moment Evelyn met his eyes, the dam broke. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him desperately.

Nathan scooped her into his arms, turning to leave. Rosalind crawled forward, blood soaking through her blouse, and grabbed at his ankle. "Nathan, please! I was forced into this! You have to believe me!"

He kicked her away without a second glance. "Take them into custody," he ordered his men, carrying Evelyn toward the exit.

As they emerged from the derelict hospital, a dozen smoke canisters suddenly rained down, enveloping the area in thick white fog.

Nathan instinctively tightened his hold on Evelyn. "Ambush!" he shouted.

"Take cover!" Oliver's voice cut through the chaos. The team scrambled for position as visibility dropped to zero.

When the smoke began to clear, a squad of armed mercenaries materialized from the haze, weapons trained on them.

"Move!" Nathan barked, shielding Evelyn as they dove behind a concrete barrier.

Oliver and the others found whatever cover they could among the debris.

"Come out now, Goldmann," a voice called from the smoke. "Unless you want your precious wife caught in the crossfire."

A figure emerged from a black sedan, puffing on an e-cigarette. Nathan risked a glance and immediately recognized their adversary.

"The Kents are this desperate for my head?" Nathan called back.

Dominic Kent exhaled a plume of vapor with a humorless laugh. "Oh, you misunderstand. The Kents aren't your only enemies." His smile turned predatory. "Though I must say, Goldmann men do share a fatal weakness for their women. Your great-grandfather Philip... and now you. History does love to repeat itself."

Evelyn stiffened in Nathan's arms.

"So this was Dominic's plan all along? Using me as bait?"

Feeling her distress, Nathan cradled her head gently. "Trust me, Zoe," he murmured against her hair.

Evelyn pressed closer, her whisper fierce. "Whatever comes next, we face it together."