Chapter 159

Nathaniel's icy gaze locked onto Evelyn. Holding her phone high above her head, his long fingers swiped across the screen, accepting the call before switching it to speaker mode.

Sebastian's gentle voice came through the line. "Why did you hang up so suddenly when you called earlier?"

Evelyn's throat tightened.

Nathaniel studied her guilty expression. "Is this the 'friend' you mentioned?"

She pressed her lips together. 'We're partners and he reports to me, but explaining that would only complicate things!'

Thankfully, she'd memorized Sebastian's number instead of saving it - just like Seraphina's. As long as Sebastian didn't reveal their professional connection, Nathaniel would never know about their longstanding partnership. "Evelyn? Are you there? Where are you? Should I come find you?" Sebastian's earnest voice filled the tense silence.

Nathaniel's striking eyes narrowed. He slowly lowered the phone to eye level. "She's married." His clipped tone carried the weight of a thunderclap, laced with unmistakable possession.

"What? Who is this?" Sebastian's shocked voice crackled through the speaker.

Nathaniel's reply came in three frigid words. "Her husband."

A beat of silence. Then Sebastian's wounded voice returned. "No! That's impossible! I don't believe it! Let me hear Evelyn say it-"

Nathaniel ended the call with a sharp tap before the protest could continue.

He thrust the phone back at Evelyn, his smirk razor-sharp. "Impatient, aren't we? Couldn't wait to call him back?"

Evelyn's jaw twitched. "It's not what you think! What Mr. Monroe said at Newmoon Group was bizarre - I needed to clarify if there was some misunderstanding-"

Nathaniel's lips curled in a sneer. "He declared his love at first sight publicly. What's there to misunderstand? Did you really need confirmation? Or were you hoping to take things further with him? Maybe start dating properly?"

Evelyn's chest constricted. "That's not- I wouldn't-"

Nathaniel's large hand gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "How many times must I remind you? You're my wife now. No private interactions with other men."

The pressure on her jaw made her wince. She struggled against his iron grip. "You're paranoid! We're not even a real couple! Checking my phone, answering my calls - you've crossed every boundary! Even real marriages wouldn't survive this level of distrust!"

Silence.

"You're hurting me," she gasped.

Nathaniel's pupils dilated. He released her abruptly.

Rubbing her sore jaw, Evelyn knew pushing further would backfire. Two months remained in their arrangement - two months of unavoidable daily contact. Worse, Cassandra waited for their return to lunch. Any prolonged absence would raise questions.

"Fine. I was wrong. I'm sorry." She dropped her gaze, resentment simmering beneath the apology.

Nathaniel blinked. Her subdued posture extinguished half his anger. "Explain how exactly you were wrong."

Her lips twisted. "Wrong to call him now. Should've waited three months when I'm no longer Mrs. Grayson and you lose all say over my life."

The momentary softening in Nathaniel's expression vanished, replaced by stormy darkness.