Chapter 409

Evelyn returned to the VIP lounge with Theodore after ensuring Eleanor was safe.

The entire ride back, she couldn't stop replaying the moment Nathan had gently dried her hair. Her pulse quickened. Her throat tightened.

"Sorry, it's my first time doing this. I don't have much experience."

Absolute nonsense! Evelyn scoffed internally. He was with Victoria for years. Even if they never slept together, they must have done everything else. Why is he acting so innocent with me? And he's best friends with Julian—birds of a feather!

The moment she stepped into her penthouse, Evelyn kicked off her stilettos and stormed to the couch, sinking into it with a scowl.

Theodore quietly warmed a glass of milk and handed it to her, concern flickering in his gaze. "Ms. Carter, it's past midnight. Drink this and rest."

"How did Eleanor end up at VELVET tonight?" Evelyn demanded, ignoring the milk. "The Blackwoods monitor her every move. This doesn't make sense."

"I questioned Julian," Theodore admitted. "He claimed he had no idea why she showed up. But he mentioned she was frantically searching for something. If he hadn't found her..."

Evelyn's fingers clenched around the glass. "Searching for what?"

"The stuffed bear you gave her."

Her breath caught. How did Eleanor's bear end up at VELVET?

"I pressed Julian about any unusual activity at the club," Theodore continued smoothly. "He denied it—but slipped that his sister, Isabelle, was there."

Evelyn's lips curled. Even without witnessing it firsthand, the pieces clicked.

"Cassandra." Her voice turned icy. "She never learns, does she? Bullying Eleanor again? She’s begging for consequences."

Theodore blinked.

"Oh, I will make her regret it."

Meanwhile, Julian stumbled into his penthouse after Nathan forcibly ejected him from VELVET.

He collapsed onto his bed, eyes shutting—only for the memory of Eleanor's soft lips to flood his mind.

I’m a goddamn monster.

Gritting his teeth, Julian wrenched himself up and stalked to the shower, turning the water ice-cold. Twenty minutes under the brutal spray barely dulled the heat coursing through him.

Dawn was breaking by the time he finally slept.

When Julian finally woke the next afternoon, Isabelle was waiting outside his door, arms crossed, eyes blazing.

"You’ve crossed a line, Julian!"

He arched a brow. "By banning you from VELVET? Or by keeping you away from Cassandra?"

He reached to ruffle her hair, but she slapped his hand away. "Don’t touch me with the same hands that touched her. It’s disgusting!"

Julian froze. "What did you just say?"

Isabelle’s cheeks flushed, but humiliation from last night fueled her rage. "I hate Eleanor! You’re my brother! Why are you doting on her?"

Julian’s expression darkened. "Isabelle—"

"You turned the entire club upside down for some ratty toy of hers!" Her voice rose hysterically, drawing startled glances from passing staff.

"I’m your real sister! When have you ever cared for me like this? You just throw money at me! But for that—that simpleton—you’re suddenly so attentive?" Her voice cracked. "I was abroad for years! The second I return, you’re obsessed with her!"

"Enough." Julian’s voice turned lethal. "Eleanor is not a simpleton. You will not speak of her like that."

Isabelle recoiled—then stormed off, leaving Julian seething in her wake.