Chapter 467

Sebastian Winslow could only stand frozen as the sleek black car disappeared through the gilded gates of Crestview Heights. The security here was notoriously impenetrable—state-of-the-art surveillance, biometric scanners, and guards who took their jobs far too seriously.

Unless you were a resident or escorted by one, you weren’t getting in.

And the guards? They didn’t recognize Sebastian. No amount of charm, persuasion, or thinly veiled threats made a difference. But Sebastian wasn’t the type to back down. Not when Alexander Kensington was acting so suspiciously.

What kind of woman could make Alex act like this?

The mystery gnawed at him. If he didn’t find out tonight, he’d never sleep.

After a quick scan of the perimeter, Sebastian zeroed in on the wrought-iron fence. It wasn’t that high. He smirked, slipping into the shadows of a nearby oak.

Easy.

He waited, counted to thirty, then doubled back. One last glance around—no guards in sight.

He lunged for the railing.

The second his fingers made contact, blinding floodlights seared his vision. A deafening alarm blared through the night.

"INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!"

Sebastian recoiled, hissing as his retinas burned. The shrill siren drilled into his skull.

Damn it.

He dropped back to the pavement, shielding his eyes. Just as suddenly, the lights dimmed, the alarm cut off, and silence reclaimed the night.

Sebastian exhaled sharply.

Okay. So climbing’s out.

He glared up at the fence, arms crossed.

"Alex, you absolute traitor," he muttered. "Since when do you lock your friends out? Some fancy security system won’t stop me. Just you wait."

Pulling out his phone, he dialed the first name on his list.

Ten minutes later, he strolled through the front gates like he owned the place. The guards eyed him warily—no doubt recognizing him from the security feed—but a resident’s clearance was a resident’s clearance.

Sebastian knew exactly where Alexander lived. He’d been there before. But tonight? No way Alex would let him in the front door.

So he took the scenic route.

By the time he reached the sprawling Kensington estate, his lungs burned.

"Who the hell needs this much land?" he wheezed, bracing his hands on his knees.

But he wasn’t giving up. Not when he was this close.

Instead of the front door, he circled to the back. The garden was lush, overgrown in just the right places—perfect cover.

He backed up, took a running leap—

ZAP.

A jolt of electricity shot through him. His muscles locked. He hit the ground hard, limbs twitching uncontrollably.

Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.

"Mr. Winslow?"

A familiar face loomed above him. Harrison, Alexander’s ever-loyal butler, looked equal parts horrified and amused.

Sebastian tried to speak. His jaw wouldn’t cooperate.

All he could do was blink.

This was a terrible idea.