Chapter 796

The driver froze for a split second before hastily starting the engine. Evelyn's brows furrowed deeply.

"Where are we going? My team is still inside. I need to get back!"

Nathan's chiseled features twisted into a mocking smirk.

"Your team? When you were in danger, they were nowhere to be found. They're useless compared to me—"

A flicker of irritation crossed Evelyn's eyes. She pressed her lips together. "Did you bring the victims' families here?"

Before Nathan could respond, Theodore chimed in enthusiastically.

"Absolutely, Ms. Sinclair! Mr. Blackwood is incredibly devoted to you. He dropped everything at the company when he heard you'd returned to this godforsaken place. The entire ride over, he kept muttering your name under his breath. Honestly, it was touching to witness. Where else would you find a man like that?"

What started as a reasonable explanation quickly spiraled into exaggerated praise. Theodore remained oblivious to Nathan's icy glare and Evelyn's increasingly strained smile. Nathan cleared his throat loudly, cutting off Theodore's rambling. "Do you ever stop talking?"

Theodore paled. 'I've said too much!' He forced an awkward grin. "Well, everyone's got a mouth..."

Evelyn's lips curled slightly, though discomfort lingered in her gaze.

"Regardless, thank you."

Nathan tilted his head, studying her with his usual detached elegance. His sharp jawline and cool demeanor radiated an air of arrogance that grated on Evelyn's nerves.

"Just a 'thank you'?"

'Ugh, he’s insufferable.'

Evelyn didn’t flinch. "You owe me, so this 'thank you' is already more than you deserve."

Nathan’s expression darkened instantly.

The power dynamic had shifted.

Damn Sophia for putting him in this position.

He adjusted his posture, voice carefully measured. "Then... let’s call it even, alright?" His tone was uncharacteristically meek. Theodore nearly winced in sympathy. Evelyn rolled her eyes.

Her phone was still with Bennett, leaving her unable to call. He must be frantic by now. The thought made her frown. She extended her hand, fingers delicate and poised. "Let me borrow your phone."

Nathan didn’t budge. "No."

'Since when did he grow a backbone?'

Evelyn kept her hand outstretched, glaring at him. The silence stretched between them. After a tense moment, Nathan exhaled. Just when she thought he’d finally cave, he placed his large hand over hers instead.

Theodore glimpsed the scene in the rearview mirror and nearly choked. 'Bold move, sir.'

The air in the car thickened. Evelyn tried to pull away, but Nathan tightened his grip. 'Unbelievable.'

His fingers were long and warm, calloused from years of work. The cold glint of the Solitaire ring on his finger contrasted sharply with the heat of his touch. He held on just a second too long before reluctantly releasing her.

Something long buried surged to the surface. His dark eyes locked onto hers, voice rough with emotion.

"I'm sorry."

Two words, heavy with regret.

There was so much more he wanted to say, but none of it could undo what had happened. He never meant to hurt her—he’d wanted to protect her. Yet he’d been used as a weapon against her.

The guilt gnawed at him worse than any physical pain. That’s why he hadn’t let PR intervene immediately. She needed to unleash her anger first.