Chapter 420

Evelyn's brow furrowed in confusion. How had Dominic known about her connection to Nathan? She had never revealed her true identity in Stoslo!

'Could it be Rosalind?' The realization struck her like lightning. 'No wonder she captured me.'

Nathan rested his chin atop Evelyn's head, his heart aching with guilt. He hadn't even dared to tell her the truth.

He'd anticipated someone might target Evelyn. That's why he'd embedded a micro-tracker in the beading of the dress he gave her - an insurance policy against traps. But he never expected their enemies to strike so swiftly, nor that Rosalind would be working with them.

"Dominic Kent." Nathan's eyes darkened as he addressed the men surrounding them. "Did you truly believe I'd come here unprepared?"

Dominic stiffened slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in his dark eyes.

Nathan glanced meaningfully at the abandoned buildings surrounding them. "Perhaps you should look around."

Dominic's gaze snapped upward - to the snipers positioned on every rooftop.

A silent curse formed on his lips.

His men still held their weapons, but none dared move.

The screech of tires announced the arrival of several black SUVs. A man in a trench coat stepped out, adjusting his steel-rimmed glasses with one finger. "Mr. Kent, it appears you've miscalculated this time."

"Edmund Lincoln?" Dominic's surprise was evident. "What business does the Metropolis have here?"

Edmund smiled thinly. "Our reasons are irrelevant. Suffice to say, if you value your position, the Kents would do well to stand down."

With a frustrated growl, Dominic signaled his men to lower their weapons.

Rosalind, clutching her wounded arm, stared in shock at Dominic's deference. She hadn't realized the Goldmanns had connections to the powerful Metropolis organization from Morwich.

Unlike the Night Banquet, the Metropolis operated with royal sanction, holding extraordinary governmental privileges and even royal authority in Morwich.

As Nathan led Evelyn forward, her eyes widened at the sight of Edmund. "Uncle Edmund?"

He gave a brief nod.

Rosalind paled.

'So Evelyn is the one connected to them! Damn it all!'

She couldn't bring herself to meet Dominic's gaze, already feeling the weight of his murderous glare.

She'd only told Dominic about Evelyn's ties to the de Armas family. The Kents and de Armas were both noble houses, but the latter held far less royal favor.

'We could have blamed any harm to Evelyn on the Goldmanns, deepening their feud with the de Armas. That's what the leftists wanted! But now...'

The plan had unraveled spectacularly.

Evelyn approached Edmund, glancing between the men. Suddenly, Dominic's earlier words made sense.

'He was behind this all along!'

Dominic shot Evelyn one last venomous look before signaling his retreat. His men followed silently.

Rosalind knew returning with Dominic meant a fate worse than death. She turned desperate eyes to Nathan, pleading silently for mercy.

Nathan didn't even glance her way.

At the hospital...

After her examination, Evelyn sat wrapped in Nathan's coat, listening to the doctor's report outside. "Aside from the sedative and psychological trauma, the young lady has no serious injuries."