Chapter 716

Evelyn's focus remained locked on the chaotic scene unfolding before her. The thugs showed surprising restraint - while they fought viciously against her security team, none dared approach her directly.

A sudden movement caught her peripheral vision. Victor Langley was attempting to slink away unnoticed.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. Victor was the linchpin in controlling this mob. Letting him escape wasn't an option.

Just as she moved to intercept him, Bennett's panicked shout sliced through the noise. "Ms. Sinclair! Behind you!"

Her body tensed before her mind fully processed the warning. The hairs on her neck stood up as she sensed the approaching threat. Too late to dodge.

Then something unexpected happened.

Victor lunged toward her with shocking speed, his face contorted in terror. His body collided with hers just as the attacker swung. A sickening thud echoed through the warehouse.

"Goddamn it! What the hell was that for?" Victor howled, clutching his head.

"Y-you jumped in the way!" the would-be attacker stammered.

"Who the fuck kicked me?" Victor roared, trembling with rage.

Evelyn didn't turn. Her gaze fixed on the new arrival storming through the warehouse doors with an entourage of armed men.

Nathan Blackwood cut through the shadows like a blade through silk. His tailored black coat billowed behind him, eyes burning with barely restrained fury. The embodiment of controlled violence descending into chaos.

The winter wind howled through the broken windows, but Nathan moved as if untouched by the cold. When he reached Evelyn, his dark eyes held a tempest of emotions.

The unbridled rage in his gaze wasn't directed at her, but at the audacity of those who'd threatened what was his.

His inspection was thorough, lingering on the baseball bat clenched in her white-knuckled grip. A muscle twitched in his jaw.

"What are you doing here?" Evelyn kept her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

His appearance had been unexpected, his timing impeccable. Without his intervention, Victor's man would have struck true. A rare miscalculation on her part.

Nathan ignored her question. "Does it hurt?" His deep voice carried an edge as he nodded toward her grip on the bat.

Evelyn's lips thinned.

Victor's reaction to Nathan's presence was immediate. All bluster drained from his face. "N-Nathan Blackwood?"

The reinforcements tipped the scales completely. Victor's street thugs stood no chance against the professional security teams.

"Mr. Blackwood," Victor wheedled, "you want this project too, right? Name your price. Don't throw away this opportunity over some woman—"

Nathan tuned out the desperate bargaining. His attention remained fixed on Evelyn. When she didn't respond, he reached out and pried the bat from her grasp.

His smile was all sharp edges and dangerous promises. "This isn't your style." From his waistband, he produced a sleek, custom pistol and offered it to her. "Try this instead."

Evelyn stared at the weapon, momentarily speechless.