Chapter 847

Lucas had always been obsessed with gossip. "Alexander's dream girl, his first love and current girlfriend, the woman he loves most besides Evelyn!"

Natalie suddenly remembered. "The most popular girl in school before Evelyn? When she broke up with Alexander, she seemed to have left the country."

Lucas nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! Her family went bankrupt. Amelia had no choice but to leave. The impressive part? She never begged Alexander for help or played the victim card."

He leaned forward, eyes sparkling with drama. "She rebuilt everything from scratch overseas. Started her own investment firm. And get this - despite countless suitors, she's stayed single all these years, just like Alexander!"

Lucas practically vibrated with excitement. This material was gold - he could already see it as a bestselling romance plot.

William Sterling raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "You investigated her?"

"Of course I did!" Lucas huffed. "This concerns my brother's happiness! I won't let some random woman take advantage of him. The moment I heard Amelia returned to Montecito, I had her thoroughly vetted."

His overprotective act was both irritating and amusing. William looked ready to strangle him. "Your brother's a grown man! Checking every potential girlfriend's background? Who'd dare date him with you around?"

Lucas scooted away defensively. "I was just being responsible!" He muttered under his breath, "Shouldn't Dad be doing this anyway? Why's he mad when I handle it?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Do you really think Alexander would fall for just anyone? You're overthinking this."

Natalie nodded in agreement. "Exactly!"

Lucas's face flushed with embarrassment. Even Natalie wasn't taking his side. Evelyn grabbed her phone and headed upstairs, with Natalie cheerfully following. "Evelyn, your family is so entertaining!"

Natalie had been staying at Sterling Manor for days. William treated her like a daughter, making her feel completely at home. The warmth of family was intoxicating.

Evelyn smiled. "Lucas lives to stir up drama. He's constantly creating chaos, and Dad always puts him in his place. He never learns."

Natalie laughed. "I've got a business trip starting tomorrow. Adrian's been MIA lately too, so I won't be coming back after this..."

"No rush," Evelyn said. "Stay as long as you want."

Natalie shook her head. "It's been too long already. I don't want to give Lucas any false hope." Her voice softened. "You know how persistent he gets."

Evelyn studied her friend. "Maybe reconsider things with Lucas? I know my brother - he's serious about you this time."

After a long pause, Natalie nodded with a small smile. "I'll think about it."

"Good." Evelyn grinned. "Then I'll help you move tomorrow." They shared a knowing look.

Evelyn's phone buzzed. Nathan's name flashed on the screen. She frowned as she opened the message.

[Evelyn, my feelings are my choice. Don't feel pressured. It would break my heart if you did.]

Her grip tightened on the phone. Fantastic. Any lingering sympathy she had for Nathan evaporated instantly.

So much for sleeping tonight. She typed a sharp reply.

[Nathan Blackwood, must you always sound like a bad romance novel?]

His response came instantly. [I'm being restrained.]

She rolled her eyes. [A grown man saying these things? Disgusting.]

Minutes passed with no reply. Evelyn tossed her phone aside in frustration, washed up, and went to bed - though sleep would clearly be impossible now.