Chapter 227

Nathaniel seemed pleased with the outcome as he strode out of the room.

When Evelyn emerged from the bathroom, towel-drying her damp hair, she noticed only Sophia remained. Her eyes instinctively searched the space for Nathaniel.

"Hey Evelyn!" Sophia bounded over. "Uncle Nate went out. Probably to deal with that horrible Gabrielle for you."

Evelyn froze, brows knitting together.

Gabrielle was indeed despicable - manipulative, deceitful, and now attempted murder. Still, Nathaniel had known Gabrielle, Dominic, and the others for years. Would he really sever ties over her, his temporary contract wife?

Moreover, Gabrielle was Amelia's closest friend. Even if Nathaniel was furious, he wouldn't go too far for Amelia's sake.

As Evelyn pondered this, Sophia giggled and grabbed her hand. "Let me dry your hair!"

"I can manage." Evelyn waved her off gently, continuing to towel her hair.

Sophia shook her head sternly. "Absolutely not! Mountain nights get freezing. You'll catch a cold sleeping with wet hair! Besides, Uncle Nate specifically told me to take care of you. He'll have my head if you get sick!"

Sophia had clearly constructed an elaborate fantasy about Evelyn and Nathaniel's relationship.

Resigned, Evelyn pressed her lips together. She tried insisting she could do it herself, but Sophia forcefully seated her and began blow-drying with her personal travel dryer.

The quiet device allowed conversation to continue. "So Evelyn, I saw you brought back a bear. Planning to barbecue it?"

Barbecue? Evelyn nearly choked.

The warm airflow made her eyelids grow heavy. "It's endangered," she murmured sleepily. "Couldn't let Nathaniel kill it. Few remain - better to hand it over to authorities."

Sophia gasped. "That's so like you!"

Evelyn frowned. "Meaning?"

"Uncle Nate's an internationally renowned hunter. Goes on annual expeditions. Never spares any animal - until you spoke up for that bear. No one else could've changed his mind."

Evelyn arched a skeptical brow. "Really?"

"Absolutely!" Sophia nodded vigorously. "You've only been married a month - you'll learn how ruthless he can be."

"Is this how you repay his kindness?" Evelyn asked dryly.

"Well, he's sweet to me - I'm family! But outsiders? Completely merciless. Terrifying, really."

Evelyn had heard rumors of Nathaniel's brutality. It's why she'd panicked upon realizing the stranger she'd kissed was Nathaniel Grayson.

Yet she'd never witnessed this infamous cruelty firsthand. Was he truly that frightening?

A sudden knock interrupted them.

Sophia switched off the dryer and hurried to answer.