Chapter 346

Nathan's fist was milliseconds away from connecting with Raymond's face when Evelyn's panicked scream cut through the air. "Don't touch my brother!"

Nathan's entire body froze mid-strike, his knuckles hovering just inches from Raymond's jaw. Seizing the opportunity, Raymond swung with full force, landing a brutal punch on the corner of Nathan's mouth.

A sharp grunt escaped Nathan as the metallic tang of blood flooded his tongue. The impact sent him stumbling back a single step, but he barely swayed.

Evelyn's fists clenched at her sides, her eyes wide with disbelief.

She hadn’t expected him to actually listen to her. He had stopped—just like that—letting Raymond strike him without resistance.

Raymond immediately pulled Evelyn close, glaring at Nathan’s split lip. "You filthy bastard! If you ever lay a finger on my sister again, I’ll beat you so badly your own mother won’t recognize you—cop badge or not!"

Yet, a quiet dread coiled in Evelyn’s chest. Nathan had held back. If he hadn’t, Raymond would be the one lying broken on the ground right now.

In the end, she chose not to press the issue of him spying on her. After three years of marriage, she knew exactly the kind of man Nathan Blackwood was.

Nathan dragged Oliver back to the car. The secretary’s head hung low, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Blackwood. I’m useless. That idiot cop caught me and caused trouble for you—"

"Forget it," Nathan cut him off, wincing as he touched his throbbing lip.

"Mr. Blackwood! You’re hurt!" Oliver’s eyes widened at the blood staining Nathan’s mouth. He looked ready to burst into tears. "Did that bastard cop hit you?! How dare he assault an innocent civilian?! I’ll file a complaint—"

"Innocent civilian?" Nathan’s mind flashed to the way he had pinned Evelyn against the wall earlier. Nothing about that had been innocent.

"Drop it. Don’t make things worse."

"But—"

"That ‘idiot cop’ is Evelyn’s seventh brother. One of Harrison Kingsley’s many sons," Nathan said, finally placing the resemblance.

"Seventh?!" Oliver gasped. "How many brothers does the young madam have?! If they all come after you one by one, this will never end!"

Nathan leaned back, closing his eyes as he wiped the blood from his lips. A deep sigh escaped him. He was starting to wonder the same thing. At this rate, he’d prefer they all attack him at once—this piecemeal vengeance was exhausting.

Just as his frustration peaked, his phone buzzed.

Nathan pulled it out, scowling at Isabelle Montgomery’s name flashing on the screen.

"Isabelle. What do you want?" His voice was ice.

"Nathan!" Her sickly sweet voice slithered into his ear.

His eyes snapped open.

Suddenly, Evelyn’s words echoed in his mind.

"You have so many sisters. Why can’t I have a few good brothers?"

So that’s what she’d meant.

A jolt of adrenaline shot through him, straightening his spine.

On the other end, Isabelle prattled on. "I’ve prepared the repertoire for Isabella Laurent’s wedding banquet in three days. Would you like to preview it?"

Nathan didn’t hear a word. His mind was too busy dissecting Evelyn’s hidden meaning.

She cared about his interactions with other women.

Was she… jealous?

"Nathan? Are you even listening?" Isabelle cooed.

"Stop." His voice dropped dangerously.

"What?"

"I’m not your brother. Don’t call me like we’re family."

Isabelle faltered. "Nathan… what do you mean? You don’t like when I call you?"

"No. Watch your mouth next time."

He ended the call before she could respond.