Chapter 329

"Poor Scarlett. It's all your fault!"

"You'll get what's coming to you, you wicked woman!"

Evelyn shook off her initial shock and inhaled deeply. Methodically, she pulled tissues from her purse and dabbed at the soda dripping down her face. Her gaze lifted to confront the misguided crowd, their ignorance almost palpable. She mentally repeated calming mantras, resisting the urge to retaliate. Fresh from police custody, the last thing she needed was another altercation landing her back in a cell.

'Scarlett must be that purple-haired influencer,' Evelyn deduced.

The soda-throwing instigator remained furious. "Everyone! Let's show this shameless woman what happens when you mess with Scarlett! Dump your drinks on her!"

"Disgusting creature doesn't deserve to drink anything!"

"My soda's going straight to her face!"

"Let's do it together!"

As hands raised with carbonated weapons, Evelyn instinctively recoiled.

"Have you no decency?" A razor-sharp voice sliced through the din, instantly chilling the fast-food joint's atmosphere.

All heads swiveled toward the entrance where a towering figure stood - dark expression, aristocratic bearing, and an aura that commanded silence.

'Good heavens, he's divine,' several women simultaneously thought, clutching their chests.

"Bullying a defenseless woman? Pathetic. Disperse now or I'll have you arrested. You'll leave here in handcuffs if you don't move."

Nathaniel's authoritative presence paralyzed the crowd. Even in stillness, he exuded regal intimidation - like some wrathful deity pronouncing judgment from Olympus.

The harassers automatically parted, creating a path. Nathaniel strode toward Evelyn, his jaw tightening at the sticky mess coating her hair and clothes.

He'd been gone mere minutes. This shouldn't have happened. Again, he'd failed to shield her. The guilt gnawed at him.

Without hesitation, Nathaniel seized Evelyn's half-finished soda and hurled its contents in a wide arc. Brown liquid splattered across every attacker's face without exception.

The empty cup clattered to the floor. Cradling Evelyn's face, Nathaniel tenderly wiped away residual stickiness with his handkerchief.

"You're safe now. Let's go home," he murmured, tucking a damp strand behind her ear.

Evelyn nodded mutely, following him through the chaotic restaurant. Arguing with these manipulated fools was pointless - they were merely puppets dancing to some unseen schemer's tune.

The crowd watched their retreat with conflicted expressions - resentment warring with self-preservation. Though none recognized Nathaniel, something primal warned them against interference.

"Ahem! That's obviously her accomplice! Why are we scared?"

"He's probably involved too! We should expose them both!"

Emboldened, someone rallied the group to pursue the departing pair, phones raised for incriminating photos.