Chapter 914

Lucas knew Preston's words had instantly shattered the fragile truce between Natalie and him.

It had taken weeks to rebuild their friendship, yet Preston demolished it with a single sentence.

Lucas clenched his jaw, his striking features twisting in frustration as he glared at Preston.

"Mark my words!"

He'd mistaken Preston for a pushover, but the man turned out to be a silent viper.

'Damn, I completely misread him.'

Preston watched with an impassive smile as Lucas rushed after Natalie, calling out apologies.

The only person who mattered to Preston was Evelyn. When she finally emerged, he stood waiting alone.

Dr. Whitmore personally wheeled her out, transferring care to Preston.

"All test results are clear. Just a mild ankle sprain."

He adjusted his glasses. "Rest for three days, ice regularly. I'll update your father before he floods my phone with calls. Hospital or home?"

Evelyn opened her mouth, but Preston answered first.

"Hospital."

Dr. Whitmore raised an eyebrow. Hospitalization for a sprained ankle?

Sterling Manor's medical suite surpassed any hospital facility. Preston's lips curved slightly. "She'll follow doctor's orders here. At home, she'll sneak off to work despite protests."

The doctor chuckled. "Understood. I'll process admission - same VIP suite. Remember the way?" Evelyn nodded obediently. "Thank you, Dr. Whitmore."

As the doctor left, Evelyn tilted her head up at Preston, who wore a guilty expression beneath his warm smile.

"New boyfriend privileges include worrying you'll forget me already."

Evelyn smirked. "That could happen."

Preston smoothly pushed her wheelchair forward. "Exactly why you're staying put."

"I can't live here forever," she countered.

He gently tousled her hair. "No rush. I'm not leaving your side."

The unexpected declaration made her pulse skip. Evelyn looked away, cheeks warming.

In the elevator, realization struck. "Where are my brothers?"

'They abandoned me? Impossible!'

Preston hesitated. "I may have provoked Lucas..."

Better to confess than let Lucas poison the Sterlings against him. With Evelyn's support, the gamble was worth it.

Evelyn's eyes widened in shock, her delicate features registering disbelief.

The elevator dinged.

Preston guided her out. "Lucas disapproves. He thinks Oliver makes me unworthy of you."

Evelyn's mouth opened, then closed. She knew Oliver's true parentage.

But revealing the boy's origins to clear Preston's name would be selfish. Besides, she never considered Oliver a liability.

"I'm sorry. Lucas doesn't know the truth about Oliver. I'll talk to him."

At the suite door, Preston pushed it open with quiet grace, his expression calm.

Once inside, he knelt before her wheelchair—