Chapter 228

Nathan turned on his heel and strode out of the room without a backward glance.

Serena watched him leave, a victorious smirk curling her lips. Despite Evelyn's attempts to win Nathan's affection, Serena was certain her own carefully crafted strategies would bring him back to her.

At the Cardiac Surgery Department of Grand Ins General Hospital, an unexpected visitor arrived just before lunch.

Evelyn studied the man standing before her with thinly veiled impatience. "Mr. Reeves," she said coolly, "what do you want?"

Dylan, momentarily entranced by the sight of Evelyn's striking features, felt his pulse quicken. "How about lunch, Evelyn?" he suggested smoothly.

She scoffed. "Unnecessary. Just say what you came to say." Their relationship wasn't close enough for casual meals—she had only dined with him once before to extract information.

Unfazed, Dylan arched a brow. "Ah, I see. Now that you have the Caldwell family's backing, I suppose you're above such invitations."

Evelyn's patience frayed. "Is there a point to this, or are you just wasting my time?"

His smirk faltered at her sharp tone. "At that party," he began, voice laced with mockery, "when Nathan stepped in and kissed you, you must have been thrilled, right?"

Evelyn met his gaze evenly, refusing to rise to the bait.

After a deliberate pause, Dylan continued, "Well, the next day, Nathan made it clear to Serena. He only intervened because it would reflect poorly on him if his wife was seen getting too cozy with another man. That kiss? Just to save you from embarrassment. Don’t read too much into it."

Evelyn's voice was ice. "Why would you care how I interpret it? It’s none of your concern."

Dylan’s expression darkened. "Nathan didn’t come home last night, did he?" He leaned in slightly. "Do you know where he was? Or who he was with?"

Evelyn’s fingers twitched, but she held her silence.

Dylan’s lips curled. "He spent the night with Serena. She wasn’t feeling well."

A flicker of something—hurt, anger—crossed Evelyn’s face before she schooled her features. Her knuckles whitened as she clenched her fists. So, Nathan hadn’t returned because he’d been comforting Serena. The game night must have shaken her enough to summon him.

The realization left a bitter taste in Evelyn’s mouth. She almost laughed at her own foolishness. She didn’t doubt Dylan’s words—verifying them with Nathan would be easy.

As the color drained from Evelyn’s face, Dylan felt a twisted satisfaction, though it was tinged with an odd discomfort.

He exhaled sharply. "That kiss meant nothing, Evelyn. Serena has always been the one Nathan loves."

Evelyn’s gaze snapped up, sharp as a blade. "I’m well aware of Nathan’s feelings for Serena. You don’t need to defend her—it only makes her seem desperate."

Dylan’s brows furrowed. "Desperate? That’s ridiculous! What reason does Serena have to feel insecure?"