Chapter 218

The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn's office, casting golden patterns across her drafting table. Her fingers danced over the blueprints, tracing the lines of what would soon become Martin Group's newest luxury resort. The project had consumed her for weeks, but today, something else weighed heavily on her mind.

Her phone buzzed—a message from Nathaniel.

"Meeting at the penthouse. 7 PM. Wear the black dress."

Evelyn exhaled sharply. The black dress. The one he had bought her for their anniversary. The one that hugged every curve, making her feel both powerful and vulnerable in his presence. She knew what this meant—another high-stakes business dinner, another night of playing the perfect wife in front of investors who still doubted her place beside him.

She glanced at the clock. Four hours left.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Gabrielle, her assistant, stepped in, holding a steaming cup of coffee. "You look like you need this," she said with a knowing smile.

Evelyn accepted it gratefully. "Thanks. Any updates on the Henderson account?"

Gabrielle shook her head. "Still waiting on their final approval. But Gregory called—he said the structural revisions are ready for review."

Evelyn nodded absently, her mind already drifting back to Nathaniel. Lately, their interactions had been… different. Colder. Ever since Isabella had resurfaced, slithering back into their lives with her calculated smiles and veiled threats.

She took a sip of coffee, the bitterness grounding her.

No. She wouldn’t let Isabella get under her skin. Not again.

Her phone buzzed once more—this time, a call from an unknown number.

Evelyn hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

A familiar, honeyed voice dripped through the receiver. "Evelyn. It’s been too long."

Her grip tightened around the phone. Isabella.

"I thought we should talk," Isabella continued, her tone deceptively light. "Before tonight’s little… gathering."

Evelyn’s pulse spiked. "What do you want?"

A soft laugh. "Oh, nothing much. Just a friendly warning. You see, some things never change. And Nathaniel… well, he always had a soft spot for me."

The line went dead.

Evelyn stared at the phone, her breath coming faster.

Tonight wasn’t just another dinner.

It was a battlefield.

And Isabella had just declared war.

Thomas's voice was cool as he answered, "What is it?"

"Is Charlotte with you?" Evelyn cut straight to the point. She hadn't called to exchange pleasantries—she needed answers.

A low chuckle came through the line. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Whether you're playing dumb or genuinely clueless," Evelyn exhaled sharply, fingers tightening around her phone, "if you're keeping her locked up, it won't stay hidden for long. If this is just revenge, then congratulations—you've succeeded. But if you actually care about her, you're destroying her."

Silence.

That was all the confirmation Evelyn needed. Her shoulders relaxed slightly.

She didn’t wait for a response. "Whatever happened between you two, just talk to her. Don’t hurt her."

Thomas laughed, the sound darkly amused. "You and Nathaniel really are made for each other."

"Excuse me?"

Evelyn’s brows knitted together. What did Nathaniel have to do with this?

"Nothing."

Thomas ended the conversation there, but Evelyn couldn’t shake the thought. Did Nathaniel say something to him?

She rubbed her temples, frustration bubbling up. The more she tried to make sense of it, the more tangled it became. Eventually, she gave up. Maybe I’m overcomplicating things.

For a fleeting moment, she wondered if Nathaniel had already intervened.

But he made it clear he wouldn’t help me. Why would he?

Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone buzzing—an incoming call from Dattlech.

Her stomach dropped.

The voice on the other end was deep, laced with concern. "Evelyn, it’s Alexander. Charlotte’s phone is off. Where is she?"

Evelyn’s fingers trembled slightly. "Oh, her phone broke. She hasn’t replaced it yet, so it’s been shut off. She’s staying with my grandmother right now. Do you want me to have her call you?"

"No, no. I just wanted to check. Couldn’t reach her, so I thought I’d ask you."

"She’s fine," Evelyn said smoothly, forcing calm into her voice. "Don’t worry."

"Thank you."

"Of course. Charlotte and I are close—you know that."

And because Alexander did know, he didn’t press further.

The moment the call ended, Evelyn dropped her phone onto the table, tension coiling in her chest.

If I can’t find Charlotte soon, Alexander will start asking real questions. But Thomas isn’t budging, and I have no idea what’s happening to her.

The night lights of Mayby glittered like scattered diamonds. Less than thirty minutes from Pineview Villa, in an exclusive gated community, Charlotte lay asleep in a lavish bedroom.

The door creaked open.

Thomas stepped inside, his movements deliberate. He tugged at his tie, tossing it aside before approaching the bed.

A kiss—deep, suffocating—dragged Charlotte from sleep. She gasped, fighting against the weight pressing her down.

Her eyes flew open.

Thomas loomed over her, his expression unreadable.

She glared. "Is this all you can do, Thomas? Lock me up like some prisoner? What kind of man hides a woman away?"

His fingers tightened on her chin. "You’re right. I’m not strong enough to let you go. Should I give you another chance to run?"

Charlotte’s voice turned venomous. "You disgust me. You have a fiancée, yet here you are, clinging to me like some pathetic—"

He cut her off with another kiss, rougher this time.

And Charlotte?

She bit down. Hard.