Chapter 130

Evelyn's piercing gaze locked onto Maxwell with icy intensity.

"Maxwell, when you called me earlier, you were terrified Nathan might harm Theodore. Now, barely hours later, you've completely changed your tune?"

"Oh, so it was you who betrayed me!" Dominic's sharp eyes narrowed dangerously as he turned on Maxwell. His jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth. "You treacherous snake! Just wait - I'll make sure you regret this!"

"How dare you speak to your elder brother like that?" Dominic's voice dripped with mock outrage. "Little sister, don't hold back - unleash your fury on this lunatic! Toss him straight into the incinerator!" Seeing persuasion was futile, Dominic chose to fan the flames instead.

After all, Maxwell wouldn't survive the night, and Dominic had no intention of going down with him.

"Maxwell Kingsley!" Evelyn's eyebrows shot up in fury. "You still have the audacity to yell at Dominic? Will you still not admit your wrongdoing?"

"What exactly have I done wrong?" Maxwell's face twisted in defiance. "Since ancient times, beauties have toppled empires. I'm merely eliminating that homme fatale for you, little sister!"

"You're utterly ridiculous!"

Evelyn slammed her palm against the sofa armrest with such force that pain shot through her injured shoulder. A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

"Evelyn, what's wrong?"

"Little sister, are you alright? Don't scare me like that!"

"Ms. Carter, should I call the car? We need to get you to the hospital immediately!"

Sebastian, Dominic, Maxwell, and Theodore instantly descended into panic. The four towering men clustered around Evelyn as if she were in labor.

Maxwell dropped to one knee before her, gently cradling her delicate hand against his pounding heart. His face had gone ghostly pale.

"Little sister, is your wound hurting? This is all my fault! Hit me, curse me - do whatever you want!"

"Have you finally realized your mistake?" Evelyn asked through shallow breaths, a sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead.

Maxwell thought of how Evelyn had taken a bullet for him. The memory made his chest constrict with unbearable guilt. "Evelyn, I'm so sorry... I just couldn't bear watching my beloved sister suffer because of that worthless scum. You're our precious jewel - we've cherished you since birth. Yet that bastard Nathan hurt you, made you cry... He deserves to pay!"

"Maxwell, listen carefully."

Evelyn's eyes burned crimson as she enunciated each word: "I married Nathan of my own free will. No one forced me. I knew he loved another. I knew how cold he could be. Back then, I foolishly believed my passion could melt his frozen heart. I thought I could make him love me. But I failed. These are my mistakes to bear - they have nothing to do with him. And I won't allow you to harass him or cause him harm!"

Maxwell reeled as if struck.

"Maxwell, I can't move past this."

Evelyn sighed, pain flickering in her eyes. "Truthfully, I've loved Nathan for so long that even divorced, he still matters to me. Why can't we let things end quietly? Why must you drag me back into his life when I'm trying to move forward? When you attacked him, did you consider my feelings?"

"Evelyn, please forgive me! I'll do anything! I swear I'll never trouble Nathan again!" Maxwell begged, eyes brimming with tears.

This hardened agent who'd faced death countless times now trembled before the possibility of losing his sister's forgiveness.

"Little sister..."

A sly glint flashed through Evelyn's sorrowful gaze. She pouted delicately, voice softening to a honeyed tone. "Then you'll come home with me for dinner with Harrison in two days."

Sebastian and Dominic exchanged knowing glances.

Though reluctant, Maxwell had no choice but to agree. "Fine! I'll go with you."