Chapter 257

Theodore answered, "Ms. Carter has retired for the evening, Mr. Kingsley."

Sebastian's voice turned icy. "Theodore, you've grown bold. Are you conspiring with Evelyn to deceive me now?"

Though Sebastian rarely lost his temper, his anger was terrifying when unleashed. "I won't repeat myself."

"Put Evelyn on the phone. If she doesn't answer, you'll be relieved of your duties before sunrise."

Evelyn's pulse raced. Fear gripped her. She snatched the phone, pressing it to her ear with trembling fingers.

"Sebastian..."

A sharp inhale. Sebastian fought to steady himself before speaking in a low, controlled tone. "Evelyn, come outside. Now."

Heart pounding, Evelyn stepped through the villa's grand doors.

Beneath the amber glow of streetlamps, Sebastian stood rigid beside his sleek black Aston Martin. The tailored gray suit accentuated his imposing stature. Shadows elongated his silhouette, making him appear even more formidable.

Her breath caught.

God, he was breathtaking. But right now, all she felt was dread—like a delinquent student summoned to the headmaster's office.

"Sebastian..." She approached cautiously, lips pressed into a nervous pout.

His gaze flickered to her bare arms. "It's cold. We'll talk in the car."

Without another word, he shrugged off his jacket, draping it over her slender frame before guiding her into the plush interior.

The moment the door shut, his restraint shattered. Hands gripping her shoulders, his voice was raw. "Where did he hurt you?"

Her throat tightened. "...My arm."

Sebastian paled. With unsteady fingers, he pushed up her sleeve, revealing pristine white bandages. A muscle jumped in his jaw.

"It's nothing serious!" she rushed to explain. "Hardly even stings anymore—"

He abruptly released her, running a hand through his hair. When he spoke again, each word was a blade. "That man will die for touching you."

Her stomach dropped.

This wasn't the composed businessman the world knew. This was the ruthless underworld king who'd once made empires tremble—the version of Sebastian she'd begged him to bury.

"Sebastian, you promised." She pressed closer, cheek against his thundering heart. "No more vengeance. No more darkness. He's just a pawn—we should use him to find who's really behind this."

The fury in his eyes slowly banked. Reaching forward, he retrieved a dossier from the front seat. "Look."

She flipped it open—and gasped. "This is—"

"Theodore came to me weeks ago." Sebastian's voice was steel. "He was desperate to identify your attacker. But that idiot never mentioned your injury." A bitter laugh. "Convenient oversight."

Evelyn groaned inwardly. Theodore, you blabbermouth! Aloud, she defended, "I ordered him not to tell you. Don't blame him."

"One more secret kept from me," Sebastian said coldly, "and I'll personally return him to the Pembroke family. Permanently."

Evelyn clamped her lips shut.

She feared no one—except an enraged Sebastian. Around him, even her fiery spirit turned meek.

As she scanned the file, her breath hitched. Fingers tightening on the papers, she whispered, "It's him?"