Chapter 197
Eleanor slept peacefully in Julian's embrace, her delicate fingers clutching his shirt. Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings against her porcelain skin. She resembled a celestial being who had descended to earth.
Julian lowered his gaze.
Having been with numerous women, he knew how to control his desires swiftly. When his eyes met Cassandra's again, they were razor-sharp. "Ms. Blackwood, if you leave now, you'll miss the most thrilling part of tonight's show."
"I...I need to use the restroom." Cassandra's forehead glistened with sweat, her pulse racing.
"You can relieve yourself after witnessing this."
Cradling Eleanor protectively, Julian strode toward Evelyn and Nathan with deliberate calm.
As he passed Cassandra, her eyes widened at the vivid love bites marking his exposed neck!
Her spine stiffened as if electrocuted.
Julian showed no signs of intoxication - so who had left those marks?
Just then, Eleanor whimpered in her sleep, disturbed by some nightmare.
Cassandra's heart plummeted, her vision darkening.
Had Eleanor been drugged? Had she and Julian...?
That imbecile got lucky!
"Eleanor!" Evelyn and Nathan exclaimed simultaneously.
"What's wrong with my granddaughter?" Reginald hadn't seen his youngest granddaughter all evening. Seeing her in Julian's arms made his blood run cold.
Leonard and Penelope exchanged alarmed glances.
"Grandfather, Nathan, don't worry. Eleanor's fine. I'm quite experienced handling situations like this." Julian inhaled deeply.
"Experienced?"
Nathan's brow furrowed dangerously. "Julian, if you used that 'experience' on Eleanor, I'll make you regret it!"
"Tsk! Why do you all treat me like some predator?" Julian cleared his throat, his gaze shifting uncomfortably.
Evelyn's sharp eyes noticed the marks on his neck but remained silent, merely arching an eyebrow.
"Julian! Explain this immediately!" Leonard demanded, his voice tight with concern.
Julian's expression turned glacial. "Eleanor was drugged. I found her unconscious in the garden bushes. The substance had already taken effect, putting her in critical condition. I administered water and medication. She's stable now - just needs rest."
Gasps filled the room. Penelope and Victoria's faces darkened.
Reginald swayed dangerously. "Eleanor too? Father, steady!" Leonard rushed to support Reginald with Marcus' help.
"Grandfather!" Evelyn moved forward in concern.
Harrison sneered, jealousy twisting his features at his daughter's concern for another paternal figure.
The puzzle pieces were falling into place.
Evelyn's piercing gaze alternated between Cassandra and Victoria. "Only Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Blackwood were seated with my brother earlier. Yet only my brother was drugged at that table. The second victim tonight was Eleanor. Presumably, she drank from the glass intended for the person who drugged my brother. An unfortunate case of mistaken consumption."
Nathan and Julian regarded her with admiration.
Her analytical mind had dissected the situation with surgical precision.
"Then who was the intended target? Certainly not Mr. Montgomery - the Blackwoods wouldn't be foolish enough to drug their own guest at their own gala."
All eyes turned to Julian.
His lips pressed into a thin line, his usually charming eyes turning arctic.
He despised underhanded tactics most of all. That someone dared drug him at Reginald's birthday celebration...
The audacity!
"Find the maid involved in this."
Nathan's crimson eyes burned with lethal intent. "Bring her to me. Ms. Carter and I will conduct the interrogation personally. No one leaves this estate until Ms. Carter uncovers the truth!"
Evelyn's breath caught at Nathan's resolute expression.
Their gazes locked, sending electric currents through both their hearts.