Chapter 190

Evelyn's thoughts raced. Harassed?! After all the times I've thrown myself at him, he dares to accuse me of harassment?!

"Nathan, I'm your fiancée!" Evelyn's eyes instantly welled up with tears, her voice trembling with hurt. "How could you say such a thing?"

"Nathan took a deliberate breath, his gaze turning frosty. "Evelyn, you know how much I despise excessive physical intimacy."

"Yes, I know. I've always known."

The childhood trauma had left Nathan emotionally scarred, making it impossible for him to form normal romantic connections or express desire like other men. Evelyn understood his struggles.

Otherwise, a man of his caliber would have moved on during their three-year separation.

"But since our reunion, you've conveniently forgotten this." Nathan clenched his fists, remembering the accusatory look in Victoria's eyes.

Unfamiliar emotions churned within him - guilt, confusion, frustration. These were sensations he'd never experienced before, leaving him utterly disoriented.

"But Nathan, we're getting married soon!" Evelyn stepped forward aggressively, her voice rising hysterically. "We're not children anymore! We can't maintain this platonic relationship forever! I'll share your bed, bear your children!"

Nathan instinctively retreated, his breath hitching.

Marrying Evelyn had always been his goal. So why did impending matrimony fill him with dread rather than joy?

Suddenly, the door burst open again.

Sebastian stumbled out from the banquet hall, his unsteady gait suggesting intoxication as he passed them.

Evelyn hid behind Nathan, her lips curling into a sinister smirk.

Meanwhile, Evelyn had changed from her performance attire and removed her stage makeup when a maid rushed to her backstage.

"Ms. Carter! Something's wrong!"

The maid whispered urgently, "Mr. Kingsley isn't feeling well - he's resting in the guest suite. He seems quite uncomfortable."

Alarmed about her eldest brother's condition, Evelyn immediately responded, "Take me to him!"

With both Nathan and Sebastian absent from their table, Julian found himself bored and alone. He wandered into the moonlit gardens.

The tranquil nightscape sparkled with stars, the gentle babbling of Starlight River flowing beneath an arched bridge. Antique lanterns cast warm golden glows across the foliage.

Beyond the cicadas' chorus, Julian detected rustling in the shrubbery.

"Who's there?" he called sharply.

Only insect sounds answered. Assuming it was just wildlife, he turned to leave when a faint moan stopped him.

Julian's pulse quickened as he cautiously approached the disturbance. His steps lightened, his throat tightening with each advance.

"Show yourself!" he demanded, pushing through the foliage.

His breath caught. "Eleanor?! What are you doing here?"

"I... I don't know what's happening to me..."

"Are you ill? You can't stay hidden like this!"

As Julian reached for her arm, an electric jolt shot through him at the contact. Eleanor's skin burned feverishly.

"Help me..." Her voice slurred as consciousness wavered.

Before Julian could react, Eleanor suddenly pressed against him, her warm breath ghosting over his lips as she clung desperately.

"Eleanor! Stop this! My heart belongs to someone else!"

Her response was to capture his mouth in a searing kiss.

Elsewhere, Cassandra paced anxiously, unable to locate Julian. She hadn't informed Victoria about drugging Julian's drink.

Her plan was simple - seduce Julian, then leverage her family's influence to force marriage negotiations with the Montgomerys.

But where had he disappeared?

"Ms. Blackwood!" A maid scurried to her side.

"Is it done?" Cassandra whispered, glancing around furtively.

"Everything's prepared. I personally escorted Mr. Kingsley to the suite and led Ms. Carter there."

Cassandra smirked triumphantly. "What about Mr. Montgomery? Any sightings?"

"I... haven't seen him..."

"You're certain he drank the champagne?" Cassandra pressed urgently.

"Absolutely! I watched both gentlemen consume it. If Mr. Kingsley is affected, Mr. Montgomery should be experiencing similar symptoms."

Cassandra's phone vibrated with Victoria's call. She answered immediately.

"Brilliant work, Cassandra! Now we just wait for the fireworks!" Victoria's smug voice declared.