Chapter 158

Evelyn blinked back to awareness, spinning around to find Nathaniel looming behind her with stormy eyes.

A shiver raced down her spine. Her fingers moved on instinct, cutting Sebastian's call short. "Just a friend!" she snapped, shoving the phone into her pocket.

Nathaniel extended his palm like a stern teacher demanding contraband. "Hand it over."

Her brows knitted in irritation. This was ridiculous overreaction, but arguing here seemed pointless. After a beat, she reluctantly surrendered the device.

The screen lit up under his touch, then darkened with the lock symbol. "Password." His voice dropped ten degrees.

"That's private." Evelyn crossed her arms. "I don't have to tell you."

Nathaniel's gaze sharpened. "Why so defensive?"

"I'm not!"

He dangled the phone just out of reach, his tone turning dangerous. "Then prove it."

Evelyn nearly growled. The audacity! Who did he think he was—some tyrannical emperor demanding access to her personal life?

"Not happening," she ground out, meeting his glare head-on.

A muscle jumped in his jaw. Few dared defy him, least of all women. This infuriating girl treated his authority like a mild inconvenience. Her occasional compliance was merely strategic laziness—a way to sidestep drama.

Most times, those clear eyes held zero deference, fear, or even basic concern for his position.

Yet this sudden resistance? Suspicious. What secrets was she guarding so fiercely? Who warranted such covert calls?

"Last chance, Evelyn." He gripped her chin, forcing her gaze upward. "The password."

Her lips curled into a mocking smile. "Guess right, and I'll tell you."

Veins stood out on his forehead. God help him, the temptation to throttle her grew by the second.

The phone chose that moment to ring—Sebastian calling back.

Evelyn lunged, but Nathaniel raised it high above her grasping fingers.

"Give it back!" she demanded, jumping uselessly as he towered over her. The screen flashed Sebastian's name like an accusation between them.