Chapter 491
Evelyn gave Reginald a few final words about his medication before politely excusing herself from the room.
The moment she stepped into the hallway, Nathan came striding after her.
"Let me drive you home," he stated firmly.
She'd been biting back her fury in front of Reginald. Now it erupted as she took three rapid steps backward, finger jabbing toward his face.
"Freeze!" she shouted.
Nathan's brows knitted in confusion.
Evelyn's lips pursed in momentary embarrassment. She'd meant to say "stop" but the wrong word slipped out.
Whatever. The meaning was clear enough.
"I don't need your chauffeur services. I'm a grown woman perfectly capable of finding my own way home!"
"It's late." Nathan took an uncompromising step forward. "I'm driving you."
The memory of being manhandled by him earlier made her teeth grind. She brushed invisible dust off her shoulder with exaggerated disdain. "Nathan Blackwood, the only reason I didn't rip you a new one earlier was out of respect for Reginald, not because I want anything to do with you. So back off. Right now I'm so pissed at Lawrence Pembroke and Cassandra Blackwood that I'd kick a stray dog. Take one more step and I swear I'll rearrange that pretty face of yours."
She thought she sounded properly terrifying.
Nathan's lips twitched with barely suppressed amusement.
"If Lawrence gives you more trouble, come to me," he said quietly. "I'll handle him."
"Ha! The affairs between the Pembrokes and us Kingsleys are none of your concern. Worry about your own mess!"
She remembered how Nathan had publicly humiliated Lawrence to defend her earlier, and a strange tightness gripped her chest.
Then she remembered - that bastard was only protecting his own interests.
Gregory Blackwood clearly wanted Lawrence in Blackwood Industries. If that happened, Gregory would gain a powerful ally - disastrous for Nathan's position.
The realization made her snort derisively.
Just as Nathan moved to close the distance between them again, a sharp voice cut through the hallway.
"Nathan!"
He turned to see Gregory approaching rapidly.
"My study. Now."
"I'll see you later. Right now I'm seeing Ms. Kingsley home," Nathan replied evenly.
"See her home?" Gregory scoffed. "She doesn't need you - look!"
Nathan whirled around.
The woman had vanished like a ghost.
Evelyn strode through the Blackwood estate gates with icy composure.
"Ms. Kingsley."
She halted. Her eyes frosted over at the sight of Lawrence approaching with his trademark smarmy smile.
"However displeased you may be, I did successfully resolve Ms. Cassandra Blackwood's predicament. Losing to me is nothing to be ashamed of."
"Honestly, by any measure, I'd say I came out ahead in this exchange."
Rather than rising to his bait, Evelyn mirrored his mocking tone. "This incident has shown me your true colors. I've met plenty who bite the hand that feeds them, but you're the first to smash the entire dinner set after finishing the meal. I wonder - if your father Walter knew his most accomplished son's ambition was to lick the boots of the wealthy and betray his former benefactors, would he die of shame?"
Lawrence's plastic smile shattered. "Ms. Kingsley, I've shown restraint precisely because you're Chairman Kingsley's daughter! You cross lines with your constant provocations! Do you think wealth grants you immunity from consequences?"
"You've just reminded me - I am the heiress of Fairhaven's wealthiest family. Doing as I please is practically my birthright. Why wouldn't I wield such privilege?"
Evelyn's dangerous smile was a blade that drew no blood when it killed. "So next time you consider opposing me, remember exactly whose daughter I am and what power stands behind me. My temper makes my father's look tame."
With that, she pivoted on her designer heels and strode away.
Lawrence watched her retreating figure with gritted teeth.
"Evelyn Kingsley, don't mistake me for that spineless brother of yours. Just because Theodore is content being your family's lapdog doesn't mean I'll roll over for you!"
He called after her: "This isn't over between us!"