Chapter 36
Julian Montgomery's words were cut short by a piercing scream from the restaurant.
His blood ran cold as realization struck - he'd left his date alone with Evelyn Carter. That was a disaster waiting to happen.
"Man, I gotta go. Can't make it tonight. See you tomorrow!" Julian said hurriedly.
Just as he was about to hang up, Nathan Blackwood's sharp voice stopped him. "Julian Montgomery! Where the hell are you?"
Another scream, even more shrill than before, echoed through the phone.
"Monarch Grand Hotels restaurant!" Julian shouted before sprinting back inside.
The scene that greeted him froze him in his tracks.
Nathan's delicate-looking ex-wife had his date pinned face-first against the table, one arm twisted painfully behind her back. The woman couldn't even twitch.
Julian's lips curled into an impressed smile. This looked straight out of an action movie where the badass female lead takes down the villain.
All his worries about Evelyn being bullied evaporated instantly.
Leaning against the doorframe, he crossed his arms and enjoyed the show with amusement.
"I'll sue you! You'll never work in Crestview again!" his date shrieked, her face contorted against the table surface.
"Better hurry to the hospital then," Evelyn replied coolly. "Those bruises will fade by tomorrow. Won't even qualify as assault."
Evelyn's expression remained impassive throughout. She wouldn't have lifted a finger if this woman hadn't tried to attack her first.
"Mr. Montgomery! Help me!" the woman wailed when she spotted Julian.
"Alright, sweetheart, that's enough." Julian stepped forward to pull Evelyn away, his tone gentle rather than scolding. He'd seen crazier catfights over him before.
His main concern was Evelyn being Nathan's ex. If this got out, it would cause quite the scandal.
"Mr. Montgomery! How can you say that's enough? This bitch assaulted me! She humiliated me!" His date clutched her disheveled hair in outrage.
Evelyn calmly took a seat, crossing her long legs as she regarded the hysterical woman like one would a circus act.
Julian's gaze traveled appreciatively over Evelyn's figure, lingering on her delicate feet in designer stilettos. Damn, she's breathtaking. How is someone this gorgeous even real?
"You must have provoked Ms. Carter first, didn't you?" Julian asked, looking directly at Evelyn.
"Apologize? To her?" His date's face turned crimson with rage.
"You're into me. Ms. Carter isn't. Simple math says you started this," Julian stated matter-of-factly.
Evelyn arched an eyebrow, mildly impressed by his logic - a stark contrast to Nathan's usual irrationality.
"How could you do this to me? I'm your girlfriend!" the woman sobbed, lunging for Julian.
He sidestepped with a look of disgust, nearly making her fall. "Girlfriend? When did I ever agree to that?"
Julian's eyes turned icy. His date immediately stifled her sobs, recognizing the danger in his expression.
"Apologize and get out of my sight. Permanently."
Everyone in Crestview knew Julian's temper. Charming when happy, but cross him and he'd burn the world down.
"I-I'm sorry!" The woman gritted her teeth, offering a forced apology before fleeing with her face covered.
Turning to Evelyn, Julian's expression instantly softened. "My apologies, Ms. Carter."
"You made her apologize to me. We're square." Evelyn checked her watch and stood. "I need to return to work. Enjoy your evening, Mr. Montgomery."
Julian, an avid watch collector, immediately recognized the rare Richard Mille on Evelyn's wrist - a global limited edition worth a fortune.
Sebastian Kingsley must really dote on his sister. Even I wouldn't be that generous.
And here she was wearing a fortune while doing menial work. Truly a country girl who didn't appreciate luxury.
"Ms. Carter, what time do you finish work? I'll pick you up tonight," Julian called after her retreating figure.