Chapter 174

Nathaniel's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles turning white. "Get out. Move to the back seat," he ordered through clenched teeth.

Evelyn's temper flared. She hadn't said anything offensive, yet Nathaniel was suddenly furious. The man was utterly unreasonable!

If her mere presence irritated him, she'd gladly stay away.

"Fine! I'll move. The backseat is quieter anyway—no need to look at his scowling face," she fumed silently.

She unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle, throwing him one last glare. That's when she noticed the prominent veins bulging in Nathaniel's hands as he strangled the steering wheel like it was his lifeline.

Frowning, she hesitated. "Nathaniel... are you okay?"

He didn't answer. "Get. Out. Now," he ground out.

Something was clearly wrong. Evelyn shut the half-opened door and turned fully toward him. "If you're unwell, you shouldn't be driving. It's dangerous," she said firmly. "Let me take the wheel."

Nathaniel suddenly turned to face her. His eyes were glazed over, pupils dilated with an unnatural redness.

Evelyn recoiled. "What's wrong with you—mmph!"

Before she could finish, Nathaniel seized the back of her neck and crushed his lips against hers in a desperate, consuming kiss.

Shock immobilized her. Her eyes flew wide as she shoved against his chest.

Is he insane? We're stopped in the middle of the road!

The kiss deepened, but it wasn't enough for Nathaniel. He needed more—much more.

Furious, Evelyn bit down hard on his lower lip.

The sharp pain jolted Nathaniel back to awareness. With tremendous effort, he shoved her away, swiping blood from his mouth with his thumb. Breathing heavily, he warned, "If you don't want me to lose control completely and do worse, get in the back now."

His flushed skin, erratic breathing, and feverish temperature were all wrong.

Realization struck Evelyn. Her anger about the forced kiss evaporated. She grabbed his wrist, checking his pulse. "What did you eat tonight?" she demanded.

Nathaniel fought to suppress the fire raging through him. "What do you think?" he rasped.

A terrible suspicion formed. "Did you meet Cassandra at the Celestial Bloom Hotel?"

Even through his haze, the mention of the hotel enraged him. "Wasn't it you who invited me there? Promised to cook me an apology dinner?" he sneered.

Evelyn palmed her forehead. Of course. Cassandra had drugged him, and it was kicking in now.

Cassandra and her mother were obsessed with trapping wealthy, powerful men. They'd use any means necessary.

But why would Nathaniel, usually so cautious, fall for it? Unless...

Her stomach dropped. He must have thought she prepared the food.

Evelyn kept her grip light, avoiding further contact. "Tell me exactly what you ate."

Nathaniel's pulse raced beneath her fingers. "Some... mushroom dish. With vegetables."

Cordyceps. The realization hit her like a truck.

She'd read about this rare mushroom's aphrodisiac effects. Consumed alone, it enhanced intimacy. But paired with fennel? It became unstoppable.

And there was only one cure.

Evelyn released his wrist like it burned her. "Nathaniel... you've been poisoned. That mushroom is affecting you now."

The unspoken truth hung between them—he needed to sleep with someone, or the toxin would drive him mad.