Chapter 66

The drive to Serena’s penthouse was tense, the hum of the car’s engine the only sound between them. Nathan’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white. Evelyn watched him from the passenger seat, her expression unreadable.

"You don’t trust her," she said finally.

Nathan didn’t answer.

Evelyn smirked. "Interesting."

The elevator ride up was worse. The mirrored walls reflected their silence back at them—Nathan’s rigid posture, Evelyn’s casual lean against the railing. When the doors slid open, Serena was waiting in the doorway, wrapped in a silk robe, her face pale.

Her eyes flickered to Evelyn, surprise flashing before she masked it with a weak smile. "You brought company."

Nathan stepped forward. "You said you were sick."

Serena coughed delicately into her hand. "I am. But I didn’t expect…" Her gaze darted to Evelyn again.

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Don’t mind me. I’m just here to observe."

A beat of silence. Then Serena’s lips thinned. "How… thoughtful."

Nathan exhaled sharply. "Serena, what’s really going on?"

Serena’s eyes glistened. "I just needed you, Nathan. That’s all."

Evelyn snorted.

Nathan shot her a warning look before turning back to Serena. "If you’re sick, you need a doctor. Not me."

Serena’s fingers twisted in the fabric of her robe. "Since when do you deny me anything?"

Evelyn’s phone buzzed. She pulled it out, glanced at the screen, then smirked. "Well, this is awkward."

Nathan frowned. "What?"

Evelyn held up her phone. On the screen was a notification from a gossip blog—Serena Cole spotted clubbing last night, looking radiant as ever.

The timestamp? Three hours ago.

Serena’s face drained of color.

Nathan’s expression darkened. "Explain."

Evelyn pocketed her phone, her smile razor-sharp. "Like I said. Someone had to make sure you didn’t get played."

Evelyn responded with unshakable conviction, "Why shouldn’t I? Isn’t Miss Cole feeling ill? Perfect timing. I’d love to see for myself what’s so urgent that she requires another woman’s husband at this ungodly hour."

Nathan studied her, a flicker of amusement dancing in his gaze as he arched a brow and chuckled. "You’re jealous."

Evelyn’s expression remained unreadable. Jealous? Hardly. She wasn’t jealous—she was determined to dismantle Serena’s little game. Earlier that day, she had made it explicitly clear that Serena was to stay away from Nathan, yet here she was, summoning him under the cover of night. If that wasn’t a blatant provocation, then what was?

A cold smile curved Evelyn’s lips as she replied, "Believe what you want."

"Either way, I’m coming with you tonight."

Evelyn paused, her eyes sharpening with silent warning. "And if you refuse, I’ll simply inform your father about this little midnight rendezvous come morning."

Nathan’s expression darkened at her words, and he let out a derisive scoff. "Impressive, Evelyn. Resorting to threats now?"

Without another word, Evelyn turned on her heel and strode toward the door, tossing over her shoulder, "Let’s not keep Miss Cole waiting, Mr. Black."

Watching her retreating figure, Nathan exhaled sharply but chose not to argue further.

An hour later, the sleek silhouette of Nathan’s midnight-blue Bentley pulled to a stop in front of Serena’s residence. Together, Nathan and Evelyn stepped out of the car and ascended the steps to the front door. Nathan knocked firmly.

When the door swung open, Serena’s face lit up at the sight of him. "Nathan!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Just as she moved to greet him, her smile faltered abruptly as Evelyn stepped into view behind him. Serena froze, her expression flickering with shock before she quickly masked it with forced composure.

After an awkward beat, Serena managed a tight smile. "Mrs. Black, what a... surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Evelyn blinked, her long lashes fluttering as she offered a saccharine smile. "Miss Cole, I heard you weren’t feeling well, so I thought I’d accompany my husband to check on you. After all, it would be rather scandalous if word got out that a married man was visiting a single woman’s home alone so late at night, don’t you think?"

She paused briefly, her tone smooth and poised, then continued, "As Nathan’s wife, I simply wanted to ensure there are no... misunderstandings. Consider it a gesture of goodwill."

Serena’s face tightened, her throat working as she struggled to form a response. The last thing she had anticipated was Evelyn’s presence tonight.

Internally, Serena couldn’t deny that she had intended to provoke Evelyn by summoning Nathan at such an hour, hoping to assert her influence over him. Yet the fact that he had brought Evelyn along felt like a deliberate slap in the face—a silent but cutting rebuke to her schemes.

In that moment, a hot wave of humiliation washed over Serena, as if she’d been physically struck. The sight of Evelyn, composed and unshaken, only deepened the sting.