Chapter 342

Raymond Kingsley was acutely aware of Theodore Winslow's hidden resentment toward him. Raymond believed every man who showed excessive interest in his sister Evelyn harbored ulterior motives.

"Raymond, you're being paranoid. Theo isn't some random stranger," Evelyn said with an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes playfully.

"He may not be a stranger, but he's still a man," Raymond countered, his jaw tightening. His sharp gaze cut through Theodore like a blade. "You should hire a female assistant tomorrow. I don’t like the idea of you working so closely with a man."

Evelyn waved him off dismissively, her lips curving into an amused smirk. "Oh, please. You're such a suspicious detective. You see criminals everywhere."

"Vigilance never hurt anyone," Raymond shot back.

He helped Evelyn into the car and shut the door. As Theodore bowed slightly before turning to leave, Raymond stopped him with a firm grip on his shoulder.

"Wait."

"Is there something else, Mr. Kingsley?" Theodore asked, his expression carefully neutral.

"As Evelyn’s assistant, you're with her constantly. While you support her, remember to keep your distance," Raymond warned, his voice low and dangerous.

His piercing stare was glacial. "What isn’t yours will never be yours. Don’t overstep. Unlike my brothers, I won’t tolerate any nonsense. I was born skeptical, and I’ve seen enough darkness in this world to know better than to trust blindly."

Theodore inhaled sharply, his fingers curling into fists at his sides.

"To put it plainly—don’t even think about Evelyn. If you dare cross that line, I won’t hold back."

"Mr. Kingsley, I understand boundaries. But rules can govern actions, not feelings," Theodore retorted, struggling to keep his voice steady.

His eyes glistened with suppressed emotion as he finally voiced what had been festering inside. "I would never act inappropriately toward Ms. Evelyn because I genuinely admire and respect her. But you can’t demand that I stop loving her. Love isn’t a crime."

Raymond’s brow twitched slightly. Though he disliked Theodore, the man’s blunt honesty caught him off guard.

"Remember your words today."

"Hey! What’s taking so long? I’m exhausted!" Evelyn called from the car, lowering the window with an impatient frown.

"Coming, Ms. Evelyn." Theodore turned back, offering her a warm smile.

"Evelyn, call me when you get home," Raymond said, making a phone gesture with his hand.

She flashed him an OK sign before waving goodbye as the car pulled away.

Raymond watched them leave, his smile fading the moment they were out of sight. His sharp eyes scanned the opposite side of the street before he turned and strode off.

Across the road, Oliver Sinclair’s sleek Porsche was parked inconspicuously. He had just sent a location to Nathan Blackwood when, within seconds of Evelyn’s departure, both she and Theodore vanished.

"Strange… Where did they go?" Oliver muttered under his breath.

Before he could react, the car door was wrenched open violently. A powerful hand seized his collar, dragging him out effortlessly as if he weighed nothing.

"Hey! What the hell—?!"

Oliver’s breath hitched when he saw Raymond looming over him like an avenging shadow. Panic surged through him. "You can’t do this! There are laws in this country! I’ll report you!"

"Save your breath."

Raymond’s expression darkened as he pulled out his badge and shoved it in Oliver’s face. "The police are here to deal with scum like you who slip through the cracks."

Oliver’s blood ran cold, his mind reeling.

Meanwhile, Evelyn yawned in the car, her eyelids growing heavy.

Just then, her phone rang.

"Raymond? I’m not home yet. What’s—"

"Evelyn, do you know Oliver Sinclair?" Raymond’s rough voice cut through the line.

Her drowsiness vanished instantly. She sat bolt upright.

"What’s going on? Why are you asking about him?"

"Evelyn, where did you meet this creep? His phone is filled with photos he took of you without your knowledge! I caught him red-handed!"