Chapter 160

Evelyn's voice trembled with frustration. "You've never trusted me, not even once! You had Lucas arrange that job just to keep me under your thumb. That way, you could monitor my every move and make sure I wasn't cheating on you, right?"

Nathaniel's dark gaze bore into her, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, he said nothing.

"I'm just a temporary guest in your grand life, Mister Grayson. A fleeting presence for three months. Stop trying to control me! If you don't believe me, I'll swear it right now!"

Without hesitation, Evelyn raised her hand, her voice firm. "I, Evelyn Whitmore, swear before God that I will never betray Nathaniel Grayson. If I break this vow, may lightning strike me dead where I stand!"

The moment the words left her lips, she dropped her hand and turned toward the door.

Her fingers barely grazed the doorknob before Nathaniel's palm slammed the door shut behind her.

"Did I say you could leave?"

Evelyn clenched her jaw. What more does he want? I already swore!

She spun around, glaring. "Aren't we done here? Stop acting like a possessive child!"

Nathaniel's eyes darkened at her words. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear, his voice dangerously soft. "Me? Possessive? You think I'd waste jealousy on you? You're nothing but a naive little girl."

"And you're a grown man throwing a tantrum!" The retort burst out before she could stop it. Instantly, she regretted it.

Too late now.

She yanked at the door again, but his hand held it firmly in place.

His lips brushed her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "What was that?"

"Nothing!" She twisted, desperate to escape, but his grip on her shoulders forced her to face him.

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, her lashes fluttering as she refused to meet his gaze.

Nathaniel studied her—the way her breath hitched, the flush staining her cheeks, the defiance in her eyes.

She was infuriating.

And undeniably captivating.

She had counted the days—two months and seven days left. She remembered exactly.

Since when did she start affecting me like this?

The thought of other men looking at her, wanting her—it unsettled him.

She accused him of controlling her, but if he truly wanted to, he wouldn’t need to lock her up. He could track her every move with a single command.

He’d given her that job because he knew she hated idleness. Better she worked under him than suffer under someone else’s whims.

This damn woman twists everything I do.