Chapter 299

The world around Evelyn shattered. Her porcelain face drained of color, as if struck by lightning.

"Nathaniel, what are you saying? Are you cutting me off as your sister?"

Nathaniel ignored her, his focus solely on Isabella in his arms. His large hand stroked her trembling back in slow, soothing circles.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here now. No one will hurt you again."

But Isabella wasn't as pliant as before. She recoiled like a frightened hedgehog, her rapid breaths laced with defiance. "No, you're not my brother. You're Evelyn's brother."

Her delicate hands shoved against his solid chest, each push a dagger to his heart. "Let me go. I want to go home. I want Grandpa. I want to go home!"

"Isabella, don't be afraid—" Nathaniel's eyes burned crimson, but his voice remained tender.

"Let me go!"

No matter how much Isabella screamed, Nathaniel refused to loosen his grip. Instead, he pulled her closer, his fingers digging into the soft fabric of her white dress.

His lips brushed her ear, voice rough yet intimate. "You're right. I'm not your brother." A pause. "I'm your man, Isabella."

Evelyn's breath hitched. The woman she'd bullied for years—the one she thought would always be beneath her—was now cherished by her own brother.

It felt like her heart had been hollowed out.

This pain was worse than when she'd learned of Thaddeus's love for Evangeline. A hundred times worse.

Nathaniel had always been her shield, her protector. She'd taken his indulgence for granted, believing she could always be reckless under his care.

Now, she was losing that privilege.

He was giving it all to Isabella.

"Your man?" Isabella lifted her tear-streaked face, confusion swimming in her glassy eyes.

"Yes. I'm yours." Nathaniel's voice was gravel, his gaze molten.

Crack.

Evelyn's perfect life, like a fragile crystal, splintered before her.

From the shadows, Olivia watched, lips curling in satisfaction.

Isabella, overwhelmed by trauma and exhaustion, collapsed in Nathaniel's arms.

He carried her to their room, wiping away her sweat and tears with a soft towel before tucking her beneath the covers.

She stirred, brows furrowed in discomfort.

Nathaniel's jaw clenched. Guilt and fury warred inside him.

"I'm sorry, Isabella. I failed you."

Olivia stepped forward hesitantly.

"Speak," Nathaniel ordered, his touch gentle on Isabella's cheek but his tone icy.

"I have the surveillance footage you requested."

She handed him her phone.

Nathaniel had installed cameras throughout the estate—every corner covered. His phone could access them remotely.

The screen showed Evelyn's arrival, her orders to restrain Bella, her violent outburst—even the kick she'd delivered to Isabella.

Silence stretched.

"Mr. Nathaniel—"

Before Olivia could finish, Nathaniel hurled the phone across the room. It shattered against the wall.

"Mr. Nathaniel, please—" Olivia retreated, bowing.

But Nathaniel was already storming out, rage radiating off him.

Downstairs, Evelyn sat stiffly on the couch, flanked by four guards.

"Miss Evelyn, what do we do?" Her secretary clung to her legs, trembling.

"How should I know?"

Footsteps echoed.

Nathaniel entered, Olivia trailing behind. The air turned arctic.

"Nathaniel," Evelyn whispered, forcing innocence into her voice.

"You hit her. You kicked her. I saw everything." Nathaniel's voice was dangerously calm.

If it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have hesitated.

"I—I wasn't myself! You know I've never hurt anyone before!" Evelyn's face flushed.

Nathaniel remained unmoved.

"It was her!" Evelyn's gaze darted to her secretary. "She provoked me! She's the reason I lost control!"

The secretary paled. "No! I didn't—"

"Why do you hate Isabella?" Nathaniel's voice was low, lethal.

Evelyn swallowed. "She's a fool, yet she seduced you! How could I accept her as my sister-in-law?"

"Sister-in-law?" Nathaniel smirked, colder than his anger. "Since when do I need your approval?"

Evelyn's blood ran cold.

"You're mistaken about one thing." Nathaniel's gaze darkened, remembering Isabella's lips, her laughter. "She didn't seduce me. I pursued her."

Evelyn's world tilted.

The girl she'd scorned was rising above her.

"Olivia."

"Yes, Mr. Nathaniel."

"Break her arms and legs. Send her to Blackwood Asylum."

The secretary screamed.

Blackwood Asylum was hell on earth. Men became slaves. Women became worse.

"Mr. Nathaniel! It wasn't me! It was Miss Evelyn!"

Her pleas fell on deaf ears. Olivia signaled the guards, who dragged her out like trash.

Evelyn sat frozen, witnessing her brother's ruthlessness firsthand.

"You, Mother, and a select few knew about this estate." Nathaniel lit a cigarette, exhaling smoke. "Who told you Isabella was here?"

Evelyn trembled, sweat soaking her fur coat.

Nathaniel's smile was chilling. "No matter. I already know."

Two guards dragged in Manny, barely conscious, leaving a trail of blood.

Evelyn gagged.

"Manny, I saved your life ten years ago." Nathaniel leaned back in his chair. "This is how you repay me?"

"Miss Evelyn, help me!" Manny rasped.

Evelyn turned away, nauseated.

"Olivia. The usual."

Olivia approached Manny, gripped his chin, and—

A wet, sickening sound followed.

Manny's tongue hit the floor.

Evelyn shrieked, clutching her chest before fainting.

Three nights passed.

Evangeline couldn't sleep.

Nightmares of Thaddeus haunted her. That pool of blood at the Averys' doorstep gnawed at her.

"Evangeline, your medicine."

Suri entered, placing a vial on the desk.

Evangeline paused her packing. "Thank you."

"Anything for you." Suri smoothed her hair. "How's Thaddeus's injury?"

"You care?"

"Of course not!" Suri scoffed. "I'm just monitoring our drug's efficacy."

Evangeline's chest tightened.

The drug was experimental. She'd risked using it to save Thaddeus.

"He's stable. But are there side effects?"

Suri sighed. "Two things: no physical strain, and no emotional extremes. Anger could worsen his condition."

Evangeline's breath hitched.

That bloodstain flashed in her mind again.