Chapter 737

The butler took the fishing gear from Donovan and Nathan as they entered. Nathan stood tall, his crisp white shirt casually unbuttoned at the collar, revealing the sharp line of his collarbone. His Adam's apple moved slightly as he swallowed, his jawline rigid and perfect. The picture of effortless elegance.

His gaze locked onto Evelyn descending the stairs. A slow, knowing smile curved his lips. "Evelyn. What a pleasant surprise."

'Fate keeps bringing us together,' Nathan thought.

Evelyn forced a tight smile. "This is my home. Obviously I'd be here."

William Sterling emerged from washing up. "Mr. Blackwood, you must stay for dinner. We've caught enough fish to feed an army—would be a shame to let it go to waste."

Nathan inclined his head gracefully. "Then I'll trouble you." Inside, he was already celebrating this unexpected opportunity.

Evelyn turned away abruptly, moving to pour herself water. Nathan followed silently. The faint scent of jasmine clung to him—from William's garden blooms. Natural. Understated. Elegant. Just like him.

"I'm thirsty too." His voice was a low, rough murmur that sent shivers down her spine.

Before she could react, his hand—long fingers, neatly trimmed nails—closed over hers, taking the glass. He drained it in one smooth motion as if this intimacy between them was the most natural thing in the world.

Lucas chose that moment to appear.

"Are you two incapable of using your own glasses? That's mine!" His glare could have frozen lava.

Nathan nearly choked.

Evelyn blinked. "Lucas, I poured this specially for you. Aren't you touched?"

Lucas' icy stare raked over them both. "Hmph!" He snatched his glass and stormed off.

That glass had been part of a set he shared with Natalie.

Nathan watched him leave, lips pressed thin. "I went to your office. They said you'd already left. Where did you go?" His dark eyes burned with unspoken intensity.

If not for Nathan's recent help, Evelyn would have thrown him out then and there. She paused half a beat before smiling sweetly. "I went to see Sebastian." 'Let him get jealous. Let him rage. Let him leave.'

Nathan's expression darkened momentarily—then, surprisingly, smoothed. "I assume he hasn't found a solution yet."

Evelyn stiffened. 'Solution to what?'

Nathan produced a silver flash drive with a smirk. "This contains what he's been searching for."

Evelyn's breath caught. "What do you mean?"

Suddenly he was right there, his handsome face inches from hers. "Why don't we take a look?"

Heart pounding, Evelyn led the way to the study without realizing Nathan followed. 'How does he know about this? We didn't even tell Isabella...'

The drive's contents made her blood run cold.

Document after document proving Terence Sinclair's crimes—forged signatures on critical contracts, all in Old Master Hart's name. Exactly what Sebastian needed.

Nathan leaned against the desk, studying a framed family photo of the Sterlings. Such warmth. Such love.

Something he'd never known.

His eyes shadowed momentarily before he schooled his features. "You could have come to me," he said softly. "I would have moved heaven and earth for you. But staging a scandal? That just invites misunderstanding."

Evelyn's fingers tightened around the drive. "How did you get these?"

Nathan's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Some secrets are best kept, darling. Just know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

The air between them crackled with unspoken truths and dangerous possibilities.