Chapter 295

"Ugh, this crowd is giving me a headache!" The officer guarding the door rubbed his temples. "Everyone's got some excuse to get inside. Should've never let the first group through."

He knew he'd have trouble explaining why some were allowed in while others weren't. With an exasperated sigh, he finally relented. "Alright, you two can enter. But keep quiet - no disturbing my team."

Gabrielle flashed a grateful smile and tugged Benjamin inside.

The officer wiped his brow. 'Thank God formal interrogations are done. This is just informal follow-up, so no harm letting them through.'

Since Samuel was Amelia's brother, his reliability as a witness remained questionable. The supervising officer hoped this confrontation with Evelyn might yield useful information. If Samuel proved helpful, they'd bring him to the station for official testimony.

Evelyn was struggling with the water glass when the group entered. The earlier questioning had left her parched, but her bandaged, swollen hands couldn't grip the slippery surface properly.

The gauze wrapping provided no traction, causing the glass to slip each time she lifted it. Her frustration grew until a familiar masculine hand suddenly took the glass and held it to her lips.

She looked up into Nathaniel's intense gaze. A straw protruded from the glass, requiring only that she part her lips. But pride made her refuse his assistance.

With stubborn determination, she reclaimed the glass, positioning one hand beneath and another alongside it. Only then did she drink, the cool water soothing her dry throat.

"Thank you," she murmured politely.

Nathaniel's brow furrowed at her formality but said nothing. Instead, he gently patted her head twice - the comforting gesture parents use with children.

Evelyn glanced up in surprise mid-sip, then offered him a small, knowing smile.

Nathaniel returned it silently. Their unspoken understanding needed no words, their subtle interaction speaking volumes.

Nearby, Amelia stood beside Samuel. Her eyes dimmed watching their exchange before she turned abruptly into her brother's embrace.

Samuel's arms encircled Amelia protectively, his hand patting her back. Then his gaze turned murderous toward Nathaniel and Evelyn.

To Samuel, Amelia was perfection incarnate - save for her unfortunate obsession with Nathaniel. Every tear she shed traced back to that man.

'That worthless bastard! Flirting with another woman right in front of her? He might as well stab her through the heart!'

Determined to spare Amelia further pain, Samuel's voice cut through the room like ice. "Miss Whitmore, what an unexpected pleasure."