Chapter 540

The door burst open before Evelyn could throw the woman out.

Victoria Ashford tumbled to the floor with a startled cry.

A tall, imposing figure filled the doorway. Nathan Blackwood's sharp features looked even more severe in the dim light, his dark eyes scanning the room. When his gaze landed on Evelyn, unharmed, the tension in his jaw eased—only to tighten again when he took in the scene.

Victoria sprawled on the ground, reeking of alcohol, clutching Evelyn’s skirt. Behind her, Vincent Moretti writhed in pain.

Nathan’s arrival shattered Victoria’s drunken haze.

She hadn’t been kicked out of the Blackwood estate yet because Reginald Blackwood still held onto hope for her. They were waiting for the right moment.

But the pressure from Reginald Ashford and Penelope Ashford had become unbearable. Desperate, she’d dragged Vincent here to scheme—to reclaim the contract, to keep the Ashfords’ support.

She needed an escape.

And she knew exactly who held Nathan’s heart.

Victoria’s intoxication vanished instantly. But she played her part, feigning unconsciousness. "No more... I can’t drink..."

A cold aura surrounded Evelyn as she yanked her skirt free in disgust.

Nathan moved like lightning. His foot connected with Victoria’s shoulder—hard. She bit back a scream, forcing herself to stay limp.

His voice was deceptively calm when he spoke to Evelyn. "Did they touch you? What happened?"

Evelyn glanced down, then back up, unimpressed. "They wanted me to drink. I refused. Funny, isn’t it? The future Mrs. Blackwood, out here drinking with another man—just for a contract."

She stepped over Victoria without a second glance and walked out.

This wasn’t over. Whether Nathan intervened or not, Victoria had sealed her fate. Evelyn wouldn’t let this slide.

Nathan’s expression darkened as he pulled out his phone. "Bring two crates of whiskey upstairs."

Three minutes later, bodyguards arrived with the liquor.

"Mr. Blackwood—"

Nathan’s voice was ice. "Since they love drinking so much, give each of them a crate. They leave when it’s gone. Not a drop wasted."

The bodyguards obeyed without hesitation.

Nathan’s gaze flicked to the shattered glass near Vincent. His jaw clenched. He knew exactly what kind of game these people played.

If Evelyn had taken even a sip—

That man wouldn’t live to see dawn.

A bodyguard grabbed Victoria’s hair, forcing her head back as he poured whiskey down her throat.

She couldn’t pretend anymore.

She choked, sobbing, trembling. This was Nathan’s cruelty—the side he never showed Evelyn.

"Please—I didn’t do anything! Mr. Blackwood, if Reginald finds out—"

Nathan didn’t react. His eyes were merciless.

Did she really think Reginald’s disapproval mattered?

Pathetic.

Without another word, he turned and walked away. The screams behind him didn’t make him pause. Not even for a second.