Chapter 316
The concert hall doors swung open, and Isabelle Montgomery clung to Nathan Blackwood's arm like she used to as a child.
She chattered excitedly about her time abroad, her voice laced with longing for him.
The only difference now was that in the past, she would hold Nathan's hand with her left and her brother Julian's with her right. But tonight, Julian had been demoted to a mere bag carrier—completely forgotten. Her entire focus was on Nathan.
Julian trailed behind them, his lips pressed into a thin line. With Evelyn Carter absent and his sister ignoring him, Crestview's most notorious playboy was starting to feel irrelevant.
When they reached the parking lot, Nathan suddenly stopped. He inhaled sharply and firmly pulled his arm from Isabelle's grip.
"Nathan?" Isabelle blinked up at him, her small hand hovering in the air.
"Isabelle."
Nathan turned to face her, his expression stern. Gone was the warmth he'd once shown her as a child. His gaze was distant, sending an uncomfortable chill down her spine.
"You're a young woman now, not a little girl. Certain behaviors between us are no longer appropriate."
"Why not? You're like a second brother to me!" Isabelle protested, anxiety creeping into her voice. "What's wrong with a sister holding her brother's hand?"
"Julian is your real brother. I'm not." Nathan's tone was final. He didn't elaborate further.
Isabelle pouted, her innocent facade barely masking the simmering anger beneath. She couldn't shake the suspicion that Nathan's sudden coldness was because of that stunning woman from earlier.
After Rosalind Walker's failure, Isabelle had rushed back to Crestview when Nathan was at his loneliest, determined to claim his heart. She wouldn't let some random woman ruin years of careful planning.
"Nathan, that was cruel," Julian interjected, unable to stand seeing his sister upset. He pulled her into a protective embrace. "You watched Isabelle grow up. You used to carry her everywhere—holding hands now shouldn't be an issue. Besides, you're single. Save the boundaries for when you have a wife."
"Isabelle will have a boyfriend someday. Her hands should be reserved for him." Nathan exhaled deeply. Unbidden, Evelyn's words flashed through his mind: My hands should be reserved for my woman to hold.
Meanwhile, Evelyn Carter slid into her Rolls-Royce after parting ways with Alexander Whitmore.
Achoo!
The concert hall's air conditioning must have been too cold—she sneezed three times in rapid succession.
"Ms. Carter, are you coming down with something? I'll prepare medicine and ginger tea when we get back," Theodore Winslow fretted, handing her a tissue.
Evelyn dabbed at her nose, the tip already turning pink. "It's nothing. Probably someone talking about me behind my back."
"Who would've thought we'd run into that bastard Nathan at a concert," Theodore grumbled, taking the used tissue without hesitation.
A shadow crossed Evelyn's face as she recalled Isabelle clinging to Nathan, touching him so freely.
That despicable man indulges her childish flirtations. He probably enjoys it.
She had known Isabelle was Julian's sister, but Nathan's connection to her—and their level of intimacy—was news to her. Evelyn scoffed, shaking her head. Three years of marriage, and she still knew so little about that man.
"The scoundrel isn't satisfied with two sisters—he's collecting more. How vulgar."
"Ms. Carter?" Theodore frowned. "What did you say?"
"Nothing. Just casting a spell to ward off the bad luck from encountering that bastard." Evelyn crossed her arms and leaned back, closing her eyes.
Seconds later, her phone rang. Sebastian Kingsley's name flashed on the screen.
"Sebastian?"
"Evelyn, don't leave right after work the day after tomorrow. I'll pick you up at the hotel—we're going back to Fairhaven."
"Fairhaven?" Her pulse spiked. "Is Dad okay?"
"Dad's fine." Sebastian's voice softened. "Uncle Victor is bringing his sons for dinner. Dad wants all of us there. They've been friends for twenty years—he doesn't want to slight them."
Evelyn exhaled in relief. "Alright."