Chapter 322

Nathaniel didn't bother checking the message. He simply powered off his phone and slipped it into his pocket.

Evelyn leaned against the steel railing of the bridge, gazing at the horizon. The river breeze played with her hair, giving her the appearance of a timeless beauty from an oil painting.

The bridge overlooked the Silver Peaks embankment, offering a panoramic view of New Capital City's most impressive skyscrapers.

"Careful. Wouldn't want you tumbling into the river."

Nathaniel grabbed her collar from behind like scooping up a stray kitten. In three seconds flat, he ruined Evelyn's picturesque moment. Her feet dangled helplessly, making her choke with discomfort.

'God, he's insufferable! Why does he keep treating me like some clueless child?' Evelyn fumed internally.

"Put me down! I'm not some idiot who'd fall off a bridge!" she protested.

Nathaniel carried her several steps back from the railing before releasing her. Her shoes finally met solid ground again.

He looked down with that infuriating smirk. "You sure about that?"

"Absolutely!" Evelyn snapped.

"Then why can't you see it?"

"See what?"

"Use that brain of yours," he growled.

Evelyn rolled her eyes, changing the subject. "When's your driver coming to get us?"

Nathaniel shoved his hands in his pockets, staring at the river. "No one's coming."

'What? He told Amelia someone would be here soon!'

Her brows knitted together. "We're walking home? Seriously?"

Nathaniel arched an eyebrow. "Problem? I thought young couples enjoyed aimless strolls."

"You're joking, right? That's so last decade! Who does that anymore? Have you smelled the exhaust fumes?" She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Nathaniel's expression darkened.

Evelyn nearly laughed at his outdated notion when realization struck. 'Wait—did he just say "couples"? Is he implying this is a date?'

Nathaniel leaned down to her eye level, his gaze intense. "Then enlighten this old man. What do young people do on dates these days?"

Evelyn blinked, thrown off balance. 'He's definitely acting strange.'

Her mouth twitched. "Uh... dinner, drinks, movies, escape rooms... that sort of thing."

Nathaniel frowned. Aside from dining, everything sounded like frivolous time-wasters to a man of his stature.

"You enjoy those activities?"

"I guess. Went to some escape rooms with classmates—pretty fun," she admitted.

"Male or female classmates?" Nathaniel's voice turned sharp.

Evelyn suddenly felt like a teenager caught breaking curfew. Then she remembered—she was an adult. Nothing to feel guilty about.

"Both! Stop being so archaic!"

'Archaic?' Nathaniel's jaw tightened. He pinched the bridge of his nose, struggling to maintain composure.

"Evelyn Whitmore, you..."