Chapter 249

"Yes, I do!" Nathan Blackwood's voice cracked with raw emotion, his eyes burning crimson. All pretense of restraint shattered.

Evelyn Carter let out a mocking laugh that cut through the night air. "What difference does your objection make? You're nothing but a deranged lunatic!"

She twisted violently in his grasp, her flushed cheeks from alcohol making her even more alluring in the dim light. The scent of her perfume mixed with whiskey made Nathan's pulse race dangerously.

"You have your precious Victoria Sterling," she spat, "so why shouldn't I take lovers? Who the hell are you to dictate my life?"

Each syllable struck Nathan like a physical blow. His grip tightened unconsciously as images flooded his mind - Evelyn leaning intimately against that man at VELVET, their bodies nearly touching as they shared private jokes. The way that stranger's eyes had devoured her with undisguised desire.

The memory made Nathan's vision swim with red.

"Quite the scandalous social life you've cultivated, Ms. Kingsley," he sneered, though the barb hurt him more than her. The alcohol amplified every bitter emotion. "Why reserve an entire private suite unless you planned something...extravagant?"

Evelyn threw back her head with wild laughter. "Exactly! Did you think I'd remain that dull Evelyn you discarded? There's nothing I won't try these days. Your imagination is pathetically limited."

"Nathan!"

His control snapped. Chest heaving, he hauled her closer. "I'm removing you from this den of debauchery immediately. While I breathe, you won't so much as glance at another man!"

A police cruiser's siren wailed nearby.

Evelyn's demeanor shifted instantly - from fiery vixen to trembling victim. "Help! This madman is assaulting me!" Her terrified scream carried perfectly.

Nathan paled as two officers sprinted toward them, shouting commands. In the chaos, Evelyn wrenched free, wiping fake tears as she spun her tale.

"This stranger wouldn't take no for an answer after I accidentally spilled my drink on him! I offered compensation but he became violent!"

The officers turned disapproving glares on Nathan. "Harassment charges can land you in a cell tonight, sir."

"I'm not some predator!" Nathan growled. "We have history-"

"Do you know this man?" an officer asked Evelyn gently.

Evelyn's tearful headshake sealed his fate. "Never seen him before."

As the officers moved to restrain him, Nathan's phone vibrated violently. Leonard Blackwood's name flashed onscreen.

"Where the hell are you?" his father's voice crackled with urgency. "Victoria slit her wrists! She's at Crestview Medical Center - they're pumping blood into her as we speak!"

The words struck like a physical blow. Nathan's already ashen face drained of all color.

"Get your affairs in order, Nathan!" Leonard roared. "You pledged yourself to Victoria, then humiliated her publicly! That girl saved your life when you tried to end it as a teenager! This is your repayment? Driving her to suicide?"

Childhood trauma crashed over Nathan like a tsunami. His chest constricted painfully, breath coming in ragged gasps.

When his vision cleared, Evelyn had vanished back into the club's neon glow.