Chapter 146

An electrifying presence suddenly surrounded Evelyn. The intoxicating wave of masculine energy that hit her was so potent that her knees nearly buckled, her body instinctively arching backward.

Evelyn's sapphire eyes widened in shock as she watched Nathan slowly close the distance between them, her breath catching in her throat.

Nathan's gaze softened, his voice a velvet growl laced with dangerous allure. "Evelyn..."

"What?" Evelyn's hand flew up in surprise, her fingers accidentally brushing against Nathan's damp, sculpted chest through the parted bathrobe.

A surge of satisfaction coursed through Nathan. As expected—all bark and no bite. The moment things got real, his little wildcat turned into a trembling kitten.

He hadn't planned to do anything drastic. Just that sudden, irresistible urge to taste those parted lips... to witness those panicked doe eyes and fluttering lashes up close.

Wait a minute—didn't I just see that the coffee wasn't drugged after all? So Nathan shouldn't be under any influence... right? Then what the hell is he doing? Has he lost his damn mind?

Nathan watched with amusement as Evelyn's expression shifted from shock to suspicion. "Nathan, you—"

"Y-You're sitting on my shirt," Nathan blurted out, mentally kicking himself for the lame excuse.

Both froze.

Glancing down, Evelyn realized she'd indeed been perched on the corner of his freshly delivered dress shirt. With an awkward chuckle, she scooted aside. Nathan stood abruptly, feigning nonchalance as he grabbed his clothes.

Phew. That was close. I totally thought... cough What a shame—I was totally ready to take advantage of the situation.

Nathan smirked. Such a little hypocrite.

Evelyn pressed a hand to her racing heart, stealing glances as Nathan retreated to the bathroom. Only when the door clicked shut did she exhale in relief.

Then the earlier gossip resurfaced, hijacking her thoughts.

What the actual hell? Rebecca's coffee wasn't drugged? Someone switched the spiked drink, and now Mrs. Gonzales is the one affected?!

This plot twist... So the one with Ruth right now is... No. No no no! Ew!

Wait—technically they're not blood-related... But still! How could they?!

Even Nathan, now buttoning his shirt inside, grew intrigued. What fresh scandal is she concocting now?

Where was Gordon? Alone in his room, left to his own devices?

Nathan stepped out of the suite, only to find Evelyn crouched by the door, peeking through the slightly ajar entrance with mischievous curiosity.

Footsteps echoed outside. Without hesitation, Nathan positioned himself behind Evelyn, his presence silent but protective.

"Shh," Evelyn pressed a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

A quick glance revealed a shadowy figure creeping through the hallway, carrying professional camera equipment. The intruder paused, scanning the doors before zeroing in on one particular room.

Then—chaos erupted.

A staged commotion broke out, complete with dramatic accusations of an illicit affair. The ruckus drew curious guests from neighboring rooms, their whispers filling the corridor.

"Wait—why are Mom and Dad here?" Evelyn gasped, instinctively stepping forward, only for Nathan to pull her back.

"Notice Julian’s absence?" Nathan murmured. "You’re a public figure now. One wrong photo could ruin you."

Evelyn’s lips trembled with indignation.

I should’ve been the first to know! Why does this always happen to me?

Nathan suppressed a smirk at her pout. Without a word, he grabbed his black jacket and draped it over her head, tucking her hair beneath the fabric.

"Won’t this make me stand out more?" she protested.

"Standing out doesn’t matter as long as your face isn’t captured," Nathan said smoothly. "And trust me, my photos don’t get leaked."

Evelyn’s eyes sparkled with sudden excitement. She adjusted the jacket, leaving only her eyes visible, then looked up at Nathan expectantly.

With practiced ease, Nathan wrapped an arm around her shoulders, shielding her against his side as they stepped into the hallway. The Blackwood family, witnessing their entrance, barely stifled their laughter—Nathan had never indulged in such theatrics before.

Meanwhile, Julian seethed behind another door, glaring at his brother and sister-in-law.

Too late to intervene now.

The other guests barely spared them a glance, too engrossed in the unfolding scandal.

Then—gasps.

The intruder’s voice rang out, shocked. "Wait—this isn’t Rebecca and Gordon! It’s Ruth and Simon—Gordon’s nephew!"

The Blackwoods collectively stiffened.

What. The. Hell.

The crowd murmured in scandalized delight. A forbidden affair? This was too juicy to ignore.

Evelyn itched to peek inside but feared the sight might scar her.

From within, Simon’s furious roar erupted. "Get out! This is a violation of my privacy!"

Oh, please. Evelyn rolled her eyes. You orchestrated this whole mess, and now you’re playing victim?

The Blackwoods lingered nearby, listening as Evelyn pieced together the scheme.

Simon had switched the coffee. Ruth, unaware she’d been drugged, had gone to his room to beg him to call off the paparazzi. Instead, he’d lied—telling her it was too late while secretly redirecting the media to this room.

Then—a sharp slap echoed.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Ruth shrieked.

"You—you kissed me first!" Simon’s voice cracked with faux devastation. "I just wanted to help… I love you!"

The Blackwoods exchanged glances.

He’s actually crying?

And—judging by Ruth’s stunned silence—she believed him?

Simon, you absolute snake.

Just as the drama peaked, the neighboring door burst open. Gordon, pale as death, shoved through the crowd and stormed inside.

"What the hell is going on here?!"