Chapter 153

The dance ended with Evelyn and her partner clasping hands, taking a graceful bow.

Though it wasn’t a formal stage, their mesmerizing performance transformed the intimate cocktail party into an elegant ballroom affair.

Victoria’s fingers dug into her clutch as she overheard the murmurs of admiration.

Once, she had been the prodigy—piano, singing, dancing, accolades effortlessly won. But years abroad, lost in frivolous pursuits, had dulled her talents to mere memories.

"Nathan, don’t you think Ms. Carter is… impressive?" Victoria forced a brittle smile. "Though dancing like that in public is rather indecent, don’t you think? That dress barely covers anything. I’d be mortified—"

She turned, only to find Nathan gone.

He strode down the dimly lit backstage corridor, jaw clenched.

No matter how hard he fought it, the image of Evelyn’s sinuous movements haunted him, heat coiling low in his gut.

He told himself it wasn’t desire. It was fury—fury at her defiance, her deception, the way she played him for a fool.

Then, a voice slithered from the shadows.

"That woman I danced with—damn, her waist is tiny. Never felt a body like that before. So damn hot—"

The crude praise should’ve meant nothing. But Nathan saw red.

The dancer barely had time to turn before Nathan’s fist collided with his face.

A sickening crack echoed.

The man crumpled, groaning. "What the hell—?!"

Nathan loomed over him, voice glacial. "You dare lay hands on her?"

The dancer’s eyes widened in terror. "M-Mr. Blackwood?! But you’re engaged to Ms. Sterling! I didn’t know she was yours too—"

At the mention of Victoria, Nathan’s knuckles whitened.

"Nathan!"

He turned. Evelyn and Rosalind stood frozen, shock etched across their faces.

The dancer crawled toward them, blood dripping from his split lip. "Mr. Blackwood attacked me for no reason!"

Rosalind’s glare could’ve melted steel. "Is this how you behave at my event? Unprovoked violence?"

"He insulted her." Nathan’s voice was lethally quiet. "Consider this a lesson in keeping his mouth shut."

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

The Nathan she knew was ice—controlled, untouchable. Never one to brawl with inferiors. What had gotten into him?

Rosalind rounded on the dancer. "Explain. Now."

"I—I didn’t mean to offend Ms. Carter!" he stammered. "I was just bragging to my friends about dancing with her. I didn’t expect Mr. Blackwood to—"

"Enough." Evelyn cut in coolly. "Rosalind, get him to a doctor."

Her protégé hesitated. "I can’t leave you alone with him! He’s unhinged—attacking people over nothing!"

Evelyn’s lips thinned. "I’ll handle it. He won’t dare touch me."

Their whispers carried. Nathan’s expression darkened.

With a final worried glance, Rosalind helped the limping dancer away.

Silence thickened the air.

Nathan’s gaze raked over Evelyn’s scandalous dress, the dancer’s words echoing in his skull.

He shrugged off his jacket, thrusting it at her. "Put this on."

Evelyn recoiled as if burned. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she sent the garment tumbling to the floor.

"What is wrong with you? First, you assault a man, now you expect me to wear your clothes?" Her laugh was razor-sharp. "Disgusting."

Nathan’s pupils constricted. "Evelyn."

"I know your type—sweet, docile girls like Victoria." Her voice dripped venom. "For three years, I played that role. No more. We’re divorced. What I wear, who I dance with—none of your concern. Especially when you’re engaged!"

His hands fisted. "So this is your rebellion? Debasing yourself to spite me?"

"Debasing?" She arched a brow. "Tell me, Nathan—do you want me?"

His breath stuttered.

Evelyn stepped closer, tilting her face up. "If not, why the possessive act? Or is it that no one else can touch what you never wanted?"

"You think I’m possessive?" he growled.

"Pathetically so." Her smile vanished. "Next time, use your brain before leaving the house. Go back to your fiancée. Chasing your ex-wife only makes you look pathetic."

She turned, the red silk of her dress swirling like liquid fire.

Nathan seized her wrist, fingers biting into her skin. "Vent your anger at me directly. Using others to hurt us? That’s low."

Evelyn froze. "Using who?"

"Victoria came to Rosalind for a dress design and was humiliated. Don’t pretend you didn’t orchestrate this!"

Her eyes flashed. "You think I care enough about her to scheme?"

Nathan’s grip tightened. "Admit it. This was your revenge."

Evelyn wrenched free, rubbing her bruised wrist. "You’re delusional. But then, you always did see what you wanted to see."

With that, she walked away, leaving him standing alone in the shadows.