Chapter 296

Evelyn's gaze locked onto Samuel. "Seems like that 7.5 million dollar check didn't buy much silence. Didn't you swear you'd stay away for a year after getting paid? Not even twenty-four hours have passed."

Samuel had grown accustomed to Evelyn's unpredictable nature. A smirk played on his lips as he replied smoothly, "Miss Whitmore, this isn't the time for jokes. I wouldn't be here if the victim wasn't my own sister."

Evelyn took a slow sip through her straw. "I've already told the police everything about that case. Feel free to ask them for details."

His eyes turned icy. "I'm here with police authorization for a direct confrontation."

"Confrontation?" Evelyn arched an eyebrow.

Nathaniel stood sentinel beside Evelyn's hospital bed when one officer addressed him. "Mr. Grayson, please step aside. We need to document this witness-suspect confrontation."

Nathaniel remained motionless, hands tucked in his pockets like an unshakable mountain.

The officer swallowed hard under that silent pressure. "Mr. Grayson—"

Evelyn heard the strain in his voice. She turned to Nathaniel. "I'm done with this water. Would you mind putting it away? And maybe take a seat? You must be tired standing so long."

Her cuffed hands fumbled with the cup as she extended it toward him, making Nathaniel narrow his eyes.

He took the cup effortlessly but made no move to discard it. Instead, he carried it to a chair positioned slightly away from the bed. Crossing his long legs, he rested an elbow on the armrest, chin propped on his hand. Then, to everyone's shock, he brought the straw to his lips and took a sip while watching Evelyn intently.

Every non-police witness stared in disbelief. Everyone knew Nathaniel's germaphobia—his notorious aversion to sharing anything that touched another's mouth. Yet here he was, drinking from the same straw with apparent ease.

Amelia's face darkened as she witnessed this. Her hands clenched into fists unconsciously.

Noticing her distress, Samuel took Amelia's hand and guided her to the sofa. He pulled her close, protectively patting her shoulder. 'I'll keep her safe,' his actions promised.

The officers finished setting up recording equipment—both video and written documentation.

Samuel cut straight to the chase. "Miss Whitmore, you demanded circumstantial evidence linking you to the perpetrator. Well, you're looking at it now."

Evelyn covered a yawn. "I believe I asked for real evidence, not fabricated nonsense."

His expression didn't flicker. "Rest assured, I wouldn't be here without irrefutable proof."

Leaning back against her pillows, Evelyn smiled lazily. "Do enlighten me, Mr. Rivers. How exactly do you plan to prove I've met this so-called perpetrator?"